I tried to learn classical guitar last year - my first attempt at a stringed instrument. I did not make much progress, and I was not enjoying it. A full sized classical guitar is not comfortable (compared to a uke), and the 2 inch nut width was a real stretch! I found the perfect instrument in the baritone uke. I can play it comfortably in a relaxed position, and the 1.5" nut width is perfect. I wish I had known about the baritone uke earlier. In the past 3 weeks or so, I made 10X more progress on the uke than I ever did on the classical guitar.
I'm not a musician but love playing the piano and my daughter loaned me her ukulele. I bought a low G, and now have ordered a baritone. I have a FURS syndrome so I cannot play a guitar, so I am happy "playing" with other toys. Merci.
Love this! I really think that beginners should start on the bari Uke and then move up to the guitar to add the “bass” notes! Sop Uke is really a “C” instrument and the baritone and guitar are really “G” instruments. Thank you!!
I still play (electric guitar) but the more I play Baritone Uke, I find substitutions for those baselines by walking up and down the D string is satisfying enough and I also put a low G on my favorite Tenor.
Great! I love the baritone. It fits perfectly in my minivan camper. Have been toying with the idea of a 1/2 size guitar to use as baritone and tenor uke. Thanks!
I am getting one now! 63 years old and 2 broken right wrist with a operation and a metal barre…left wrist, broken 3 times, so 5 all together and I am struggling with the guitare! Thanks for your explanation … what would be your best barytone uku recommandation ?
Everything is different between Ukes and Guitars: Sound, size, feel, scale, weight and strings, The most important is the sound, for me it's the feel and the sound. I no longer play acoustic guitar, but I still enjoy electric.
Man, this is exactly the video I needed! Thank you so much! I love the baritone and its about to be my first ever stringed instrument, but I have just two concerns. 1. Would it be easier/faster to learn a smaller uke then transition into a baritone? 2. Can I play the happy cheery music traditionally associated with a ukulele on a baritone? I am a young adult, by the way :) Again, thanks so much!
You can buy strings for the baritone with the same tuning as the smaller ukes, so that it sounds the same( GCEA ), with either low or high G. Because the tuning is usually different, the chords with the baritone are different from other ukes, so the transition is a pain.
This video is exactly what I'm looking for. I'm really torn up about what to do. My perfectly fine baritone Uku is just too limited and really boring in the sounds that are needed for playing the blues, yet it's still so easy to play. So, at 67 years old I went out and bought a Gretsch steel string Jim Dandy that's so much harder to play and is ripping up my fingers. The new cords seem impossible to manage. So, I went out and bought a $150 Yamaha classical, thinking that I could easily transition better into a 6 string, but it still sounds even duller when I try playing cords. It's so bad that I don't even want to try. It sounds so low; can I tune up those nylon strings higher without them breaking? Nothing seems to work for me. lol Then I ran out and purchased a Ibenez steel string tenor mini dreadnought tuned to DGBE, that's too tinny sounding, yet it's also so very easy to play. Ok, so now I'm thinking about a pricy Pono Nui "big" baritone. My question is a larger baritone going to get me there or will I still have that same old dull baritone ukulele limited sound? I'm thinking I just need to simply man up and take the pain of a steel 6 string if I really want that traditional sounding delta style blues. What do you think I should do? Thanks
I have not tried a larger baritone but it is doubtful it will be that different in sound. Nylon strings do have advantages but the steel strings will always be brighter and closer to the sound you are looking for. Unfortunately they are harder on your fingers and nails. Good luck in your search.
I got 2 solid top tenors (1 mahagony and 1 spruce). I also own a solid cedar top guitar. Thought getting a solid spruce top baritone for practise. Or should I practise using the guitar ?
OK,, You say,, “ The shorter the scale, the easier to play”, “Older people may not be as strong”. “ I like the Baritone because it is easier on my hands”.