There’s a lot to consider here! I prefer low G over high G. Because I am a performer and teacher I have both a low G and high G ukulele. (Actually I have a lot of ukuleles and most are strung with low G strings). Most songs I teach and perform are in low G. Now the BIG question! What brand to use - I DO NOT LIKE any wounded low G string! They wear out very fast! My favorite strings are the Aquila but they do not make a low G string fluorocarbon material. So I use the D’Addario Low G fluorocarbon strings. And I’m very happy with them. Thanks for your videos and keep up the great work!
Marco, I love your videos! They inspire me. I am a 63 yr old singer, who has struggled with guitar most of my life by learning enough to strum, but never progressing. I picked up an Ukulele in January of this year and fell in love with the ease and portability of this instrument. I quickly realized I needed a tenor Uke for my fat fingers and bought a Kala Tenor XL to give me as much fret room as possible. I didn't know enough then to even consider high or low-G. It came with Low G and the sound was fantastic. All that to say, I have progressed more with this Uke in 6 months than 50 years of occasionally strumming a guitar. I dream of being able to finger pick riffs like you do and I'm devouring as much content as quickly as possible! Keep the videos coming. Thanks!
You sound exactly like me , just that I am 70. I tarted with concert , then tenor and I just got a soprano , all low G, I love them , my beautiful Taylor 812 guitar still sitting in the case
Started with a concert, high G, but 6'-6" 230 lbs., a guitar player in my younger life, I struggled getting my fingers on the fret board. Bought a tenor, low G, and started learning to play. One day, I picked up the concert and fell in love with its sweeter sound. I now prefer it.
Fun fact: the re-entrant (standard) tuning derives from the fact, that early strings were made of sheeps' intestines - which are very soft of course. So, tuning the 4th string lower than the other 3 would mean it would hang loose and flabby. Therefore they tuned it up a whole octave. As for your question: I used to have a low G string on my Ohana Tenor. In my opinion, it's nice for some songs - especially when they require a "bass line" between chords. If you don't want to change all strings at once, you can also use a D string from your classical (!) guitar instead. No matter which one you use, you'll have to file either the saddle or the nut (cannot remember which is which) - because it's thicker than your usual strings, of course. But on the other hand, with a low G, there's something typical missing. The "campanella technique" allows you to play neighbour tones on different strings (f.e. the high g and the a), which makes the ukulele actually sound like a ukulele. At the end of the day, low and high G are marvellous excuses to nurse your UAS (ukulele acquisition sydrome). At least one ukulele for every tuning. :o)
Hi Marco, You are tuning correctly G3 C4 E4 A4. By the looks of the package I am guessing you installed Aquila Lava Strings. The sound you are getting on the C string is very likely from the action being too low for the tension of that string since the ukulele played fine before. This is creating a slapping buzzing sound when playing with more force and dynamics. Lower tension strings can also expose high frets which will cause buzzing. Yet the sound yours is making sounds more like the top too close slapping buzz sound. If you want a bright sound I would recommend a higher density fluorocarbon to match your playing style. There are many good brands. PHD, Oasis, living water, etc. If you want a warmer sound try Fremont Blackline or Worth Brown. To answer another of your questions I own multiple ukuleles in all price ranges ranging from nearly 100 years old to a one off custom I just created this week.😁 I have regular players in both high and low G on Soprano, Concert, Tenor. I have no interest in baritones.
As a long-time guitarist and newbie uke player, I’m just learning about low vs. high G. My tenor uke is tuned to high G. With a low G, I’d be able to use a lot more of my guitar tricks, but the high G adds an element of challenge. Maybe I need that.
You can stretch the strings by holding them down by near the sound hole and pulling a up a bit. If you do that a couple of time you can get your ukulele to hold a tuning in about an hour
Thanks for the video! I play a soprano with high G tuning. Like you, I prefer it. Instruments with low G can make some beautiful music, but I like the reentrant tuning. Coming from guitar, it would be a lot easier for me to use low G, but I’ve stuck with the standard tuning because, to me, that’s what gives the ukulele it’s unique sound.
I bought my first uke more than four years ago and I kept the standard tuning, but I didn't get hooked until, taking advantage of the purchase of a second uke, I put low G on the second one... Now I've really fallen in love and I'm getting better with the uke..., maybe it's that I come from the guitar, or maybe it's that the sound that captivates me is this one.
As a person self-teaching myself the ukulele, most instruction books, songs and youtube videos use a high G. Once I feel more comfortable I'm going to try the low G so I have options. As a violinist the discrepancy on the uke of not going from low to high from string to string bothered me at first, but now I like it. I have a soprano and a concert ukulele, and I'm planning on putting the low G on the soprano because I usually play the concert and prefer the high G now.
I started with a standard uke, then bought an Outdoor Tenor Ukulele with low G option and I friggin LOVE it, I take it everywhere, both G options have their place, I just "prefer" the low G And instead of nylon it comes with fluorocarbon strings, far more durable
I have 2 ukuleles: a concert and a tenor. I had both tuned high g because I used one at work and one at home (I became worried about travelling on planes with either of them). When I retired, I had my tenor ukulele tuned low G in order to have more flexibility (and there was a song at the time that I wanted to learn and it was on low G). I play both and I enjoy both.
All my ukuleles are low G except one soprano that I rarely use. It just makes more sense to me personally. Grew up play guitar so the transition to ukulele many years later just made it so much easier for me anyway.
I love both high and low G. The high G gives that lovely unique ukulele sound while some melodies sound better with the low G. It is also another fun option to play with. What a pity the C string didn't work. I was so looking forward to a low G tutorial :)
About low G I agree with you There is Nothing like the Sweet & joyful Sound Of The High G and also there is Nothing wrong in trying a deeper sound. LOV TO YOUR LITTLE ANGEL y saludos desde Colombia❤
I own around 17 ukes from Soprano tuned A D F# B to a Baritone, and I love them all. I have a Super Tenor with Low G, and this is great for melodies, as I can use all of the strings and have a few extra lower register notes. We all enjoy just messing around with this great instrument 😀
Thank you for this. I love my Low G tuned ukulele, It sounds awesome on many songs but the High G also sounds better on other songs. I started out playing the guitar so the Low G gives a mellow sound like my classical guitar. So I like both but prefer my Low G.
Try the fremont black lines low g set. Also make sure your nut is properly setup/cut for the string size you are using. You issue with the C might be from the nut having too narrow a slot. I think for strumming the re-entrant has the classic Ukulele sound but the Low G is great for finger picking and classical covers since many use the G4. Also, if you want to do the version of "over the rainbow" by Iz...you need a Low-G setup.
Yes Yes, love seeing your baby!~ You are an awesome teacher, thank you for your great work and well designed tutorials. I'm grateful you speak english so perfectly but would never guess from your accent that you are Italian!!! So to respond to your comments, keep growing your content to reflect YOU. Those who enjoy it will gather. I'm from Hawaii, grow super hot chilis and love learning the Ukulele as an adult. In school we were taught to play at around 9 years old but I never progressed past that. Mahalo for being such a wonderful and inspired teacher! I have a tenor and a concert size ukulele and although the tenor is very old and rusted I prefer the deeper sound.
Back in the ‘90s, Elderly Instruments catalog kept predicting the coming popularity of the ukulele. I think it was with a bit of humor. Now YT has shown that it took a little more time, but more and more people are taking the uke as a serious instrument. Marco’s beautiful playing adds to the evidence.
Newbie here! I was looking into low G because it sounds more like a guitar but after watching this, and a few other videos, I think I'll stay high with my Fender soprano. I'm so into the uke at the moment I may buy a tenor, then I will have another crisis of faith regarding the 4th string. Btw, love your channel, thank you for what you do.
I have Flight Diana tenor with low G and Flight Victoria tenor with high G. I play mostly fingerstyle so songs sound very different depending which uke i grab. Love to play both every day. Btw your tutorials are great!
Quite agree. I play a lot of Polynesian sounds where Low G is preferred and in the mix for the melodic sound. I play a lot of poly-rhythms on the ukelele and prefer the Low G for that while the guitar, Soprano or Concert ukulele do the lead breaks and vice versa.
Absolutely. Every time I play a new song it seems to call for one of my other ukuleles. I have 4 and they all sound totally different. It only makes me feel like I might need a couple more so I can grab at the ready. UKULELES.... the different strings/different tunings/different woods/different sizes..... The combinations are endless. And they are pretty too.
I love this video! I want to restring one of mine to Low G. I really do love the sound and look forward to the different playing options. I'm new to the instrument and have no guitar experience.
I have a several sizes ukuleles, Baritone concert, soprano, sopranissimo. I do find myself grabbing the concert size most often. I’ve never played tenor size nor a low G option. I did buy a set of strings for low G on the concert but I’ve never put them on it.
Hey, Marco! Tante grazie per la tua opinione! I love my uke just the way it is so I'm not in much hurry to change any strings, but it's nice to hear I'm not the only one.
I have an Oscar Schmidt Concert with high G. Also, a Kala Birch top Tenor low G. I am mostly self taught. I believe i will take your courses as you are a Professional. Well trained and I love to listen to you on Spotify.
I have a tenor with low G and a concert with regular tuning. Recently playing the tenor more often. And I love your video of compare/contrast the voicing. Thank you!!
@@scanspeak00 G C E A tuning usually means the G is a 5th above the C. I prefer that the G be tuned a 4th below the C for a warmer sound. So when I purchased my tenor ukulele, I had the music store string it accordingly after it arrived from the manufacturer.
Just a thought....I put a wound low-G on my aNueNue Moonbird and immediately didn't like it, then got a set of Worth Browns (low-G not wound) and love the sound. I have ukes strung both ways and I go back and forth between low-G and re-entrant...I have both within arm's reach...I like them both, depending on what I'm playing and my mood.
I loved this video you always teach me something. I have all types and configuration ukuleles but baritone Chicago tuning is my favorite to play. Keep up the great work!
Thank you for your beautiful lessons!!! Keep going please🙏!!! It's a treasure!!! I have many ukuleles hi and low g, also D tuning, baritone and 5 string hi+low g. I had to complete the collection before getting better player 😂 !!! I love❤ low g!!!
Love the video. I've had the argument in our uke group for ever. I am a 6 stringer so love the bass runs / influence in both rhythmic and finger styles. I have a low G set on order! The c string in the video sounds like there is either a split or over tensioned which can cause sound refraction, where the sound is unable to resonate. Fiberoptic cables have the same for data loss. Ditch the string and feed back to the manufacturer. Thank you for the channel. Love this and the guitar stuff. I have a 26" tenor. Yes, yet another varient but offers more breadth and use of movable chord shapes.
Yes, I am having trouble installing (breaking) Red Aquilas. I have all sizes. Soprano is for lending to small people. Concert (plastic Enya) is to take traveling. Tenor (plastic by Outdoor Ukulele) is for playing on my front porch every morning (all year in Florida). Baritone is for making recordings and because I am 6'4" tall and it fits me best. My rule for Low G is that my pineapple-shaped ukes (1 concert-size Hawaiian Koa, one tenor Acacia) always stay "Island Tuning", or High G. All my others are Low G. Enjoyed your exploration of linear tuning. Personally, I prefer it. There are songs which can only be played on low G, but no songs I play cannot be played on low G even though they are fine on high G. Your very personal style is enjoyable. Your son is adorable. Seems like yesterday that my son was that cute, now he is taller than I.
Hi Marco, I went through the experimenting stage between high and low g as well and I love both. Both have their pro's and cons so now I own 3 tenor ukuleles. A low, a high and a five string with the high g set to the out side and after a bit of getting use to it, it's for me personalty the best of both worlds.
I like the low g but I agree the high g is more ukulele , for me at least. Also I've just got a miller tenor, cedar top. I've just put a low g set of strings on it to see what it sounds like..and, my c string sounds wierd too. I think I'm going to go back to high g fluorocarbon. I am a beginner fingerpicker by the way, and I think your tutorials are really helpful, so thanks Marco.
Hi Marco, I bought my wife the concert uke and I loved the sound, so I bought a tenor for me. Then an epiphone electric uke, also a baritone, I really love the sound of the baritone. I could put a capo on the 5th fret of the baritone and it would sound like a low g, but I haven't yet.
as far as the C string- Check the nut groove and also how the string is resting on the bridge. both these being rough can cause this sound. its usually the nut. as far as low G/high G- as you eloquently described, they are two different ukes! so a twofer! you get two ukes just by changing a string. I like the sound of both and switch just to add variety.
I think it depends what you want to play - for me, high-G gets a 70% - 30% preference, but that preference is driven by what I tend to play. Have been looking for a ukulele channel is not just for beginners - found your channel tonight and it hits the spot for me :-)
Enjoyed your comparison, Marco! I've tried more than a few ukes and strings. I really enjoy playing my Romero Tiny Tenor uke with Romero brand low G strings. I found a barely used koa tiny tenor on Reverb, and now the other ukes are collecting dust! I was a person who really loved Worth flourocarbon strings, until I got a set of the Romero flourocarbon with a wound low G String. They sound beautiful. It's certainly personal preference. You make both ukes sound amazing, even with the problem C string. It Sounds like the C string string is too large of a diameter for your string height. I had that happen on a banjo with a low bridge for low string height.
Marco thanx for the low g video! I didn't realize that you were asked that a lot... I decided on the ukulele after watching a video where the gentleman featured a low g, I loved the way that it sounded like a guitar since I really could never get good finger position on an actual guitar and so I have that but then a friend of mine had a high g, a regular strung one and it sounded magical and I have a soprano that's regular tuning and I use them alternately with all your videos. I love the way they both sound but the low g is really my preference.... In an event keep up the good work 👍👍
I have now a low G, just made it done by the luthier. It sounds pleasant. No problem with the tuning. I wonder what the Over The Rainbow player from Hawai used to play ?😉
Hahahah😂. Voices are so funny. I like all your videos. Very kind to share so much. I have Low G on tenor Rethinking it, you’re right the original tuning does sound brighter and more cheerful. May get another set of strings😊
Thanks yes like this type of info… newbie lots of hype about low G .. now I get it .. I like the ukulele sound will stick with it .. have a nova sophomore, Córdoba tenor … Like the tenor size, less muting for me ..
It’s great option to have. I like my main bamboo úkulele (oo-koo-ley-ley) tenor to have a high g but I like to go with the Herb Ohta low G on soprano. Though the chording needs to be adjusted. But I tune sopranos up a step with aquilas and I use D’addario hard tension clear nylon for tenor. I like the strings to have a ‘natural tension’ feeling and not wobble under my fingers. And yes I had the same feeling when I first strummed the high g on my first úku. I think either you’re tuner is an octave to low or the nut is cut to deep causing the string to hit the frets. I’m not 100% sure though. Thank you for sharing.. I love your videos.
Thanks Marco...Taimani has both strings on her ukelele like a double G-string.. both low and high G....and sound wise...they all sound beautiful...l love my little soprano but it can be uncomfortable to hold ..l just got a Concerto..and that feels just right...the tenor feels too guitar..ish...
I like the standard tuning. My preference for a ukulele is a soprano body with a concert neck or a soprano. Also I prefer friction tuners rather than geared, but my favorite ukulele has geared tuners.
Hi Marco, I love your music and lessons. I was mainly a guitar player most of my life but have been playing ukes for about 5 years now. I prefer tenors and low G partly because of the types of music I prefer and partly because I just haven’t got around to learning to play re-entrant properly. I relatively recently tried using a wound low G after resisting for quite a while due to possible squeaking from sliding my fingers on the string. However, I have found that not to be a problem with the higher quality low G’s. I have one uke with a Fremont Soloist and another with a Pepe Romero (made by La Bella). I found the nylon low G’s could sound a bit dead especially on my Ohana (PKC-70G) concert but the wound string added a liveliness and resonance that totally changed the overall tone. I intend to put wound low G’s on all my ukes now.
I have a Tanglewood TU3 concert ukulele which I absolutely love. I Chose it because the sound reminded me a little of a celtic harp. My original reason for wanting a uke was to give me a different sound and a higher register than my classical guitar for making multi track recordings. At first I found the re-entrant tuning a bit hard to get used to but I soon found it opened up a number of new possibilities. In one sense it's similar to the drone string on a banjo which makes it great for accompanying bluegrass/Americana type things using banjo style picking patterns. I also like to play folk tunes like jigs and hornpipes that need you to range over the whole fretboard and I find the open high G string really useful for smoothing over the gap when moving between high and low hand positions. It also lets you hold on to notes that you're fretting higher up the neck for as long as possible to create a more harp like effect.
I loved the musical theory part of ths video. When I bought my first ukulele it came with a log G and I had no real idea what that meant. When I bought my second ukulele I couldn't work out why everything sounded so bright and much more like traditional Hawaiian music.
I started off with a concert ukulele then moved up to a tenor as I liked the deeper sound, then I added a low G tried a few my favourites has been worths brown strings so far. I keep a concert in normal tuning my tenor has low G. Both have a place some songs lend better to low G some are better played with standard tuning. Most ukulele players I know end up with multiple instruments ! They do tend to multiply 😱 Sometimes if I find a new chord a real stretch for my fingers I’ll swap to the smaller concert uke till I perfect it then move back to tenor & try again. Oh by the way I always find C string takes longer than the other strings to settle after changing them. Goes out of tune more not sure why. Thanks for the awesome video’s.
I actually love the reentrant tuning. It makes a lot of sense while strumming. you can figure out melodies based on the "up & down movement", and I think this is probably the most ukulele thing. Also, the low g is still pretty gummy, the bass doesn't sustain much, so you never get the basses of a classic guitar. Basically with a low g you're just playing a guitar from the fourth string up, and from the fifth fret up.
Thanks for all your tutorials. I’ve been exercising my beginner skill set with your tutorials. Check the gap and seating depth in the nut for the C string.
A few years ago we went to Kaui and wondered into a music store. As a guitar player I went directly to the six strings but ended up with an Uke in my hands. After an hour of handling 20+ Ukes, she took me to the "back" room. So, with three uke chords in my pocket, I bought an 800 dolla Raymond Rapoza Koa Tenor...with a hi G. I don't remember there being ANY hi dolla uke with anything but a hi G.
i have A low G ukulele, but i seldom play with. I like normal tuning ukulele, maybe because i play with it for the pass five years. i have tenor and concert saiz ukulele, i like them both. 😊
My personal take on low G ukulele strings is, if I want to play my guitar to get this tone I will grab my guitar & play it. Leave my ukulele to its standard string configuration, the tone & pitch is comparable to no other instrument around… simply beautiful! I have two ukuleles, Luna concert & Kala tenor
Some of us have small hands, I tried guitar first but couldn’t play an f, any bar chords as a matter fact I couldn’t get them so I had to pick specific songs avoiding bar chords. Then I discovered the ukulele and my world change, I can play any chord I want (thank god for e alternatives) so now that’s my main and only instrument. So I got an electric ukulele to play those rock tunes I can’t on my standard ukulele
@@feevha Similar story here with a twist. I never mastered bar chords so avoided or transposed, but put up with that. Then arthritis in a couple of my knuckles meant some chord shapes were getting harder and harder to manage and I played less and less. Picking up a ukulele for me was a discovery of a lighter and easy action with less pressure.
Hi Marco, I've played guitar for many years, but just recently got hooked on the Uke. I have a Soprano, which I think is just too small, a Concert, which is better, and a Tenor, which is my favorite. The Concert and Tenor are both from Flight, the Victoria Model. I Love both of them. I have been thinking of changing one to low G but decided to just get a Baritone instead! So I've been looking around for a good one for quite a while. Still haven't found the "Right" one yet. I absolutely Love your channel!! Thanks SO MUCH for all the excellent content!!
I started with a soprano then got a concert, i have a low g on the concert, it is how i wanted it to sound. I didn't know it was the low g that made the sound i wanted until i put it on. Soprano i think i will keep a high g, for myself i wear a hipster wide pouch g-string, just turns more heads at the club & holds everything in place whilst breakdancing.
Have a tenor in low G and a sprano in high G....love both. Some songs are better on the low G some are better on the high G. Depends on the mood of the song. But when you need a happy mood go high g for the brighter sound. Both my ukes are kala travel ukes. First uke I ever owned a baritone. I recently tuned it to uke LowG C E A..instead of baritone DGBE. Because I was tried of head transposing the chord differences...but in uke tune lowGCEA my higher sorano voice it is easier to sing with and not have to mess with the clamp as much. Like your channel and the information you share. Thank you.
Thanks for this video Marco. I am to be honest a bit frustrated with the low/high G necessity of choice. I own only one soprano ukulele (as I actually have space for one only) and I am going back and forth with the G string. I mostly use high G because (as many other people here say) in my opinion this tuning gives the ukulele its unique sound characteristic and gives more choice on which string to play the specific melodic parts. But as I mostly play fingerstyle, having an option to go one pitch lower opens a wider spectrum with a small cost. I can fairly easily substitute my missing high G (basically string E +3 frets up plays the same sound), but that costs some quality. However, I can't easily substitute the low G with anything else. Nevertheless, even though fingerstyle is my preferred technique, I'm still quite a new player, and I need to relay on arrangements created by other, more knowledgeable and experienced people. I would say that at the moment more arrangements (from what I am able to find) are in high G tuning than in the low G, but still there are many great ones for low G. And for those super beautiful low G arrangements I am constantly tempted to change to low G or give up on a decision to be minimalistic and to buy another ukulele 😄 Life is full of hard choices. PS I don't like the wound type of low G string - it sounds too much like a guitar string. But there are not so many low G string options for soprano unfortunately. My so far preferred strings - Aquila Sugar - are available only with the high G (standard) or the basic wound low G.
shortly after I bought my first ukulele (high g soprano) I bought a 2nd (tenor) with low g. I like to have both options but the ukulele-feeling mainly comes from the high g.
I don't think it's an either or thing, but more of different styles complementing each other. In Terms of strings: I have 3 main Ukes (all concerts) for different purposes: Standard Tuning, Low G and Low A. I use a Set of Fremont Black lines for Low G and the Fremont Soloist combined with Worth Browns for Low A. Standard Tuning I always use worth Clears. Experimenting with different Steing sets and materials is a lot of fun!
Great videos! Thanks! I have a concert in standard and a electro acoustic tenor in low g. I think I prefer standard, because that's what I learned first, but I think I will like the low g more as I get better. I'm very interested in getting a 5 string with both next. I think this will be an easy new favorite! What do you think of a 5 string ukulele?
I plan to have a second ukulele soon so i can use both low g and high g tunings but I play an open g tuning most. Gbdg. I also use open c. Gceg. Ive never learned a standard tuning on any instrument, just open tunings as I love the way they sound. Maybe Ill learn standard uke one day. Time shall tell. But I prefer high g because I play clawhammer across all instruments I play and I like the high drone string.
Hi Marco - love your stuff! I’d try a different brand/material string. I don’t think yours is a bad string, but that your uke wants a different density of material. If you try another set and it still seems off, might need to look at the action and/or fret leveling. My favorite strings are D'Addario Titanium. A fun thing to try is a wound C - that can fill out the lower notes a bit without going all the way to low g. I have a couple tenors, but recently got a concert - and I really love it. I love the uniqueness of the ukulele - so high G all the way, and the smaller body as well.
I have a couple of ukuleles, one with a standard G string, the other with a low G string - love both of them. Both ukuleles are tenors, but my favourite is my Cordoba 20 TM. I’ve been looking for an Oscar Schmidt but haven’t found one yet.
Well I started with a Kala U bass. I enjoy it immensely. So I am now looking into the world of Ukuleles. While trying to come up with a plan to avoid UAS(Ukulele Acquisition Syndrome) disease. It seems like most TH-cam Ukukleleist own between 4-6 of these things minimum.
@@MarcoCirilloUkulele after my search the most stable review For a cheap Ukulele I found on You tube was for Kmise (multiple instruments multiple years. used in class room setting.) Runner up was Donner. I know nothing of its longevity though.
Marco, I understand what you mean about the high g. It’s gives the uke a beautiful melodic voice. For singing, however, my preference is for the low G even in the soprano as I like the moving lower baseline. My singing teacher a professional singer who is brilliant uses a low G on her soprano and what she does is wonderful. Until I met her it never occurred to me that a low G could work so well in a Soprano. Of course my internal process changes and the Uke then is no longer a “Solo” lead instrument and now plays under and to accompany the lead Voice which then becomes the Primary. I too thought I could live with just one tuning- it’s impossible. So I have a concert in high G and a soprano and tenor in low g. With the low G I don’t “think” melodically on the instrument - I think “Rhythmically”- to backup the Voice. With the High G my internal thought process is “Melodic”. My whole learning curve has gone way up since I found your channel. You have a gift for teaching. If i were in London I would study with you. Most of the dedicated high G players I know are not singers. They may sing but don’t consider the Voice their “Primary” instrument.
Hi Marco. The C string may be slipping at the neck or bridge. I use Worth strings ….low G on both my Uke’s . I’m into listening to Jazzier side of music , and think the added range preferable. Keep up the good work, I love it. !! I have a TK-20 tenor Ohana acoustic Uke, and an Ashbury electro acoustic Tenor.
Broken string or not - you still sound better than I do! lol Thanks for the video. I have two ukes because some songs I like required the low G; otherwise my go-to uke is the re-entrant.
There’s a lot to consider here! I prefer low G over high G. Because I am a performer and teacher I have both a low G and high G ukulele. (Actually I have a lot of ukuleles and most are strung with low G strings). Most songs I teach and perform are in low G. Now the BIG question! What brand to use - I DO NOT LIKE any wounded low G string! They wear out very fast! My favorite strings are the Aquila but they do not make a low G string fluorocarbon material. So I use the D’Addario Low G fluorocarbon strings. And I’m very happy with them. Thanks for your videos and keep up the great work!
if you haven't tried worth brown low g strings I highly recommend, i'll never go back
I'm 65 and am just beginning with the uku. I love your teaching style and l love your videos. Thank you so much for your wonderful instruction.
Marco,
I love your videos! They inspire me. I am a 63 yr old singer, who has struggled with guitar most of my life by learning enough to strum, but never progressing. I picked up an Ukulele in January of this year and fell in love with the ease and portability of this instrument. I quickly realized I needed a tenor Uke for my fat fingers and bought a Kala Tenor XL to give me as much fret room as possible. I didn't know enough then to even consider high or low-G. It came with Low G and the sound was fantastic. All that to say, I have progressed more with this Uke in 6 months than 50 years of occasionally strumming a guitar. I dream of being able to finger pick riffs like you do and I'm devouring as much content as quickly as possible! Keep the videos coming. Thanks!
You sound exactly like me , just that I am 70.
I tarted with concert , then tenor and I just got a soprano , all low G, I love them , my beautiful Taylor 812 guitar still sitting in the case
Started with a concert, high G, but 6'-6" 230 lbs., a guitar player in my younger life, I struggled getting my fingers on the fret board. Bought a tenor, low G, and started learning to play. One day, I picked up the concert and fell in love with its sweeter sound. I now prefer it.
Fun fact: the re-entrant (standard) tuning derives from the fact, that early strings were made of sheeps' intestines - which are very soft of course. So, tuning the 4th string lower than the other 3 would mean it would hang loose and flabby. Therefore they tuned it up a whole octave.
As for your question: I used to have a low G string on my Ohana Tenor. In my opinion, it's nice for some songs - especially when they require a "bass line" between chords. If you don't want to change all strings at once, you can also use a D string from your classical (!) guitar instead. No matter which one you use, you'll have to file either the saddle or the nut (cannot remember which is which) - because it's thicker than your usual strings, of course.
But on the other hand, with a low G, there's something typical missing. The "campanella technique" allows you to play neighbour tones on different strings (f.e. the high g and the a), which makes the ukulele actually sound like a ukulele.
At the end of the day, low and high G are marvellous excuses to nurse your UAS (ukulele acquisition sydrome). At least one ukulele for every tuning. :o)
UAS - nice LOL!
Hi Marco,
You are tuning correctly G3 C4 E4 A4.
By the looks of the package I am guessing you installed Aquila Lava Strings. The sound you are getting on the C string is very likely from the action being too low for the tension of that string since the ukulele played fine before. This is creating a slapping buzzing sound when playing with more force and dynamics. Lower tension strings can also expose high frets which will cause buzzing. Yet the sound yours is making sounds more like the top too close slapping buzz sound.
If you want a bright sound I would recommend a higher density fluorocarbon to match your playing style. There are many good brands. PHD, Oasis, living water, etc. If you want a warmer sound try Fremont Blackline or Worth Brown.
To answer another of your questions I own multiple ukuleles in all price ranges ranging from nearly 100 years old to a one off custom I just created this week.😁 I have regular players in both high and low G on Soprano, Concert, Tenor. I have no interest in baritones.
Yes, I can't see the point of Baritones; I'd rather play my guitar.
Thanks for the info . May I ask why you have no interest in baritone ?
As a long-time guitarist and newbie uke player, I’m just learning about low vs. high G. My tenor uke is tuned to high G. With a low G, I’d be able to use a lot more of my guitar tricks, but the high G adds an element of challenge. Maybe I need that.
"I'm gonna tune for seven hours." No truer words were ever spoken.
lol it really takes a couple of days for the string to settle 🤨☀️🎸
You can stretch the strings by holding them down by near the sound hole and pulling a up a bit. If you do that a couple of time you can get your ukulele to hold a tuning in about an hour
That is such a lovely ukulele. I too prefer high g, however I think now need a second ukulele that I can have a low g string on!
Thanks for the video! I play a soprano with high G tuning. Like you, I prefer it. Instruments with low G can make some beautiful music, but I like the reentrant tuning. Coming from guitar, it would be a lot easier for me to use low G, but I’ve stuck with the standard tuning because, to me, that’s what gives the ukulele it’s unique sound.
I bought my first uke more than four years ago and I kept the standard tuning, but I didn't get hooked until, taking advantage of the purchase of a second uke, I put low G on the second one... Now I've really fallen in love and I'm getting better with the uke..., maybe it's that I come from the guitar, or maybe it's that the sound that captivates me is this one.
As an ukulele player myself, I love the low G string as an option.
It has it's place, just like the original tuning has it's place.
As a person self-teaching myself the ukulele, most instruction books, songs and youtube videos use a high G. Once I feel more comfortable I'm going to try the low G so I have options. As a violinist the discrepancy on the uke of not going from low to high from string to string bothered me at first, but now I like it. I have a soprano and a concert ukulele, and I'm planning on putting the low G on the soprano because I usually play the concert and prefer the high G now.
I have also tried both low and high G string. I personally like the sound of high G string because it is bright and sweet.
I started with a standard uke, then bought an Outdoor Tenor Ukulele with low G option and I friggin LOVE it, I take it everywhere, both G options have their place, I just "prefer" the low G
And instead of nylon it comes with fluorocarbon strings, far more durable
I'm with you Marco. Low G is nice but I fell in love with High G😍
I actually bought a second ukulele yesterday to have both options available all the time :D thank you for your videos! I really love them
I have 2 ukuleles: a concert and a tenor. I had both tuned high g because I used one at work and one at home (I became worried about travelling on planes with either of them). When I retired, I had my tenor ukulele tuned low G in order to have more flexibility (and there was a song at the time that I wanted to learn and it was on low G). I play both and I enjoy both.
All my ukuleles are low G except one soprano that I rarely use. It just makes more sense to me personally. Grew up play guitar so the transition to ukulele many years later just made it so much easier for me anyway.
I love your low G sequence man. you are cool!
I love both high and low G. The high G gives that lovely unique ukulele sound while some melodies sound better with the low G. It is also another fun option to play with. What a pity the C string didn't work. I was so looking forward to a low G tutorial :)
"Low G sounds like a guitar" that is exactly why I like low G. I also prefer tenor Ukes.
About low G I agree with you There is Nothing like the Sweet & joyful Sound Of The High G and also there is Nothing wrong in trying a deeper sound. LOV TO YOUR LITTLE ANGEL y saludos desde Colombia❤
I own around 17 ukes from Soprano tuned A D F# B to a Baritone, and I love them all.
I have a Super Tenor with Low G, and this is great for melodies, as I can use all of the strings and have a few extra lower register notes.
We all enjoy just messing around with this great instrument 😀
Thank you for this. I love my Low G tuned ukulele, It sounds awesome on many songs but the High G also sounds better on other songs. I started out playing the guitar so the Low G gives a mellow sound like my classical guitar. So I like both but prefer my Low G.
Try the fremont black lines low g set. Also make sure your nut is properly setup/cut for the string size you are using. You issue with the C might be from the nut having too narrow a slot.
I think for strumming the re-entrant has the classic Ukulele sound but the Low G is great for finger picking and classical covers since many use the G4. Also, if you want to do the version of "over the rainbow" by Iz...you need a Low-G setup.
Yes that string may not be seated in the nut correctly, causing it to plink.
Yes Yes, love seeing your baby!~ You are an awesome teacher, thank you for your great work and well designed tutorials. I'm grateful you speak english so perfectly but would never guess from your accent that you are Italian!!! So to respond to your comments, keep growing your content to reflect YOU. Those who enjoy it will gather. I'm from Hawaii, grow super hot chilis and love learning the Ukulele as an adult. In school we were taught to play at around 9 years old but I never progressed past that. Mahalo for being such a wonderful and inspired teacher! I have a tenor and a concert size ukulele and although the tenor is very old and rusted I prefer the deeper sound.
Back in the ‘90s, Elderly Instruments catalog kept predicting the coming popularity of the ukulele. I think it was with a bit of humor. Now YT has shown that it took a little more time, but more and more people are taking the uke as a serious instrument. Marco’s beautiful playing adds to the evidence.
Newbie here!
I was looking into low G because it sounds more like a guitar but after watching this, and a few other videos, I think I'll stay high with my Fender soprano.
I'm so into the uke at the moment I may buy a tenor, then I will have another crisis of faith regarding the 4th string.
Btw, love your channel, thank you for what you do.
Thanks a lot. Having two ukes tuned in high and low G is always the best option.
I have Flight Diana tenor with low G and Flight Victoria tenor with high G. I play mostly fingerstyle so songs sound very different depending which uke i grab. Love to play both every day. Btw your tutorials are great!
Some songs sound better with low G and others with standard. That's why I own 4 ukuleles.
I’ve never related with a comment more than this 👏😂
@@fionariley739 I'm ready for a 5th 😃
Me too. Two concerts. One tuned to low G. A soprano and a tenor.
Quite agree. I play a lot of Polynesian sounds where Low G is preferred and in the mix for the melodic sound. I play a lot of poly-rhythms on the ukelele and prefer the Low G for that while the guitar, Soprano or Concert ukulele do the lead breaks and vice versa.
Absolutely. Every time I play a new song it seems to call for one of my other ukuleles. I have 4 and they all sound totally different. It only makes me feel like I might need a couple more so I can grab at the ready. UKULELES.... the different strings/different tunings/different woods/different sizes..... The combinations are endless. And they are pretty too.
I love this video! I want to restring one of mine to Low G. I really do love the sound and look forward to the different playing options. I'm new to the instrument and have no guitar experience.
I have a several sizes ukuleles, Baritone concert, soprano, sopranissimo. I do find myself grabbing the concert size most often. I’ve never played tenor size nor a low G option. I did buy a set of strings for low G on the concert but I’ve never put them on it.
Hey, Marco! Tante grazie per la tua opinione! I love my uke just the way it is so I'm not in much hurry to change any strings, but it's nice to hear I'm not the only one.
I have an Oscar Schmidt Concert with high G. Also, a Kala Birch top Tenor low G. I am mostly self taught. I believe i will take your courses as you are a Professional. Well trained and I love to listen to you on Spotify.
I have a tenor with low G and a concert with regular tuning. Recently playing the tenor more often. And I love your video of compare/contrast the voicing. Thank you!!
Nice James. I think tenor with low g is quite interesting. I am also thinking of getting a concert!
Hi. I'm planning to do the same on my tenor. Can I ask which low G string you chose? I'm so confused by all the choices.
@@scanspeak00 G C E A tuning usually means the G is a 5th above the C. I prefer that the G be tuned a 4th below the C for a warmer sound. So when I purchased my tenor ukulele, I had the music store string it accordingly after it arrived from the manufacturer.
Just a thought....I put a wound low-G on my aNueNue Moonbird and immediately didn't like it, then got a set of Worth Browns (low-G not wound) and love the sound. I have ukes strung both ways and I go back and forth between low-G and re-entrant...I have both within arm's reach...I like them both, depending on what I'm playing and my mood.
I agree, worth browns are really good.
Yep I have worths browns low g, also the set I got gave u enough length for 2 full sets !
No problems fitting the low g on the groove of the nut? I have an AMM3 and suppose the nut will be similar….
Very Lucky I found your Channel, you are very knowledge and very polite, just like a great teacher, or a master, thank you, GBY.
I loved this video you always teach me something. I have all types and configuration ukuleles but baritone Chicago tuning is my favorite to play. Keep up the great work!
Thank you for your beautiful lessons!!!
Keep going please🙏!!! It's a treasure!!!
I have many ukuleles hi and low g, also D tuning, baritone and 5 string hi+low g.
I had to complete the collection before getting better player 😂 !!!
I love❤ low g!!!
Lol. I am gonna buy more soon! 😁
Love the video. I've had the argument in our uke group for ever. I am a 6 stringer so love the bass runs / influence in both rhythmic and finger styles. I have a low G set on order! The c string in the video sounds like there is either a split or over tensioned which can cause sound refraction, where the sound is unable to resonate. Fiberoptic cables have the same for data loss. Ditch the string and feed back to the manufacturer. Thank you for the channel. Love this and the guitar stuff. I have a 26" tenor. Yes, yet another varient but offers more breadth and use of movable chord shapes.
I just gotta say that you are beautiful man! You’re a great teacher. Love your chilled energy. Do you film and edit all your vids yourself Marco?
Me and my wife 🎸☀️ but I have a team for my thumbnails and ukulele tabs
I have three ukes tuned Low G tenor, CGDA concert, and GDAE soprano. Lots of versatility.
I agree. I use a soprano with high g for the classic ukulele sound and a concert with low g for "country strumming" type music.
Yes, I am having trouble installing (breaking) Red Aquilas. I have all sizes. Soprano is for lending to small people. Concert (plastic Enya) is to take traveling. Tenor (plastic by Outdoor Ukulele) is for playing on my front porch every morning (all year in Florida). Baritone is for making recordings and because I am 6'4" tall and it fits me best. My rule for Low G is that my pineapple-shaped ukes (1 concert-size Hawaiian Koa, one tenor Acacia) always stay "Island Tuning", or High G. All my others are Low G. Enjoyed your exploration of linear tuning. Personally, I prefer it. There are songs which can only be played on low G, but no songs I play cannot be played on low G even though they are fine on high G. Your very personal style is enjoyable. Your son is adorable. Seems like yesterday that my son was that cute, now he is taller than I.
Have you tried playing claw hammer banjo stuff on high G ukulele? I would argue that's not something you can do on the low G!
Hi Marco, I went through the experimenting stage between high and low g as well and I love both. Both have their pro's and cons so now I own 3 tenor ukuleles. A low, a high and a five string with the high g set to the out side and after a bit of getting use to it, it's for me personalty the best of both worlds.
I am gonna try the low G a lot!
A five-string? Huh.
I like the low g but I agree the high g is more ukulele , for me at least. Also I've just got a miller tenor, cedar top. I've just put a low g set of strings on it to see what it sounds like..and, my c string sounds wierd too. I think I'm going to go back to high g fluorocarbon. I am a beginner fingerpicker by the way, and I think your tutorials are really helpful, so thanks Marco.
Hi Marco,
I bought my wife the concert uke and I loved the sound, so I bought a tenor for me. Then an epiphone electric uke, also a baritone, I really love the sound of the baritone. I could put a capo on the 5th fret of the baritone and it would sound like a low g, but I haven't yet.
as far as the C string- Check the nut groove and also how the string is resting on the bridge. both these being rough can cause this sound. its usually the nut. as far as low G/high G- as you eloquently described, they are two different ukes! so a twofer! you get two ukes just by changing a string. I like the sound of both and switch just to add variety.
I think it depends what you want to play - for me, high-G gets a 70% - 30% preference, but that preference is driven by what I tend to play.
Have been looking for a ukulele channel is not just for beginners - found your channel tonight and it hits the spot for me :-)
Enjoyed your comparison, Marco! I've tried more than a few ukes and strings. I really enjoy playing my Romero Tiny Tenor uke with Romero brand low G strings. I found a barely used koa tiny tenor on Reverb, and now the other ukes are collecting dust! I was a person who really loved Worth flourocarbon strings, until I got a set of the Romero flourocarbon with a wound low G String. They sound beautiful. It's certainly personal preference. You make both ukes sound amazing, even with the problem C string. It Sounds like the C string string is too large of a diameter for your string height. I had that happen on a banjo with a low bridge for low string height.
On that basis shouldn’t the low G be even worse as it will be bigger diameter than the C string
Marco thanx for the low g video! I didn't realize that you were asked that a lot... I decided on the ukulele after watching a video where the gentleman featured a low g, I loved the way that it sounded like a guitar since I really could never get good finger position on an actual guitar and so I have that but then a friend of mine had a high g, a regular strung one and it sounded magical and I have a soprano that's regular tuning and I use them alternately with all your videos. I love the way they both sound but the low g is really my preference.... In an event keep up the good work 👍👍
I have 2 baritone ukes tuned DGBE. They sound like a ‘little brother’ to the guitar. 😁
I have now a low G, just made it done by the luthier. It sounds pleasant. No problem with the tuning. I wonder what the Over The Rainbow player from Hawai used to play ?😉
So glad I found you on TH-cam
I'll try log G this week for first time. Just waiting amazon for my new strings set.
Hahahah😂. Voices are so funny.
I like all your videos. Very kind to share so much.
I have Low G on tenor
Rethinking it, you’re right the original tuning does sound brighter and more cheerful. May get another set of strings😊
I'm just starting out playing ukulele, I'm having trouble with tuning ! The ukulele I have is a conerto!😊
Thanks yes like this type of info… newbie lots of hype about low G .. now I get it .. I like the ukulele sound will stick with it .. have a nova sophomore, Córdoba tenor … Like the tenor size, less muting for me ..
I have a baritone. Using the standard D tuning. Been having fun exploring different fingerstyle patterns.
It’s great option to have. I like my main bamboo úkulele (oo-koo-ley-ley) tenor to have a high g but I like to go with the Herb Ohta low G on soprano. Though the chording needs to be adjusted.
But I tune sopranos up a step with aquilas and I use D’addario hard tension clear nylon for tenor.
I like the strings to have a ‘natural tension’ feeling and not wobble under my fingers. And yes I had the same feeling when I first strummed the high g on my first úku.
I think either you’re tuner is an octave to low or the nut is cut to deep causing the string to hit the frets. I’m not 100% sure though. Thank you for sharing.. I love your videos.
Thanks Marco...Taimani has both strings on her ukelele like a double G-string.. both low and high G....and sound wise...they all sound beautiful...l love my little soprano but it can be uncomfortable to hold ..l just got a Concerto..and that feels just right...the tenor feels too guitar..ish...
I like the standard tuning. My preference for a ukulele is a soprano body with a concert neck or a soprano. Also I prefer friction tuners rather than geared, but my favorite ukulele has geared tuners.
Hi Marco, I love your music and lessons. I was mainly a guitar player most of my life but have been playing ukes for about 5 years now. I prefer tenors and low G partly because of the types of music I prefer and partly because I just haven’t got around to learning to play re-entrant properly. I relatively recently tried using a wound low G after resisting for quite a while due to possible squeaking from sliding my fingers on the string. However, I have found that not to be a problem with the higher quality low G’s. I have one uke with a Fremont Soloist and another with a Pepe Romero (made by La Bella). I found the nylon low G’s could sound a bit dead especially on my Ohana (PKC-70G) concert but the wound string added a liveliness and resonance that totally changed the overall tone. I intend to put wound low G’s on all my ukes now.
I have a concert ukulele & I like the standard ukulele tuning.
I have a Tanglewood TU3 concert ukulele which I absolutely love. I Chose it because the sound reminded me a little of a celtic harp.
My original reason for wanting a uke was to give me a different sound and a higher register than my classical guitar for making multi track recordings.
At first I found the re-entrant tuning a bit hard to get used to but I soon found it opened up a number of new possibilities. In one sense it's similar to the drone string on a banjo which makes it great for accompanying bluegrass/Americana type things using banjo style picking patterns. I also like to play folk tunes like jigs and hornpipes that need you to range over the whole fretboard and I find the open high G string really useful for smoothing over the gap when moving between high and low hand positions. It also lets you hold on to notes that you're fretting higher up the neck for as long as possible to create a more harp like effect.
I loved the musical theory part of ths video. When I bought my first ukulele it came with a log G and I had no real idea what that meant. When I bought my second ukulele I couldn't work out why everything sounded so bright and much more like traditional Hawaiian music.
I started off with a concert ukulele then moved up to a tenor as I liked the deeper sound, then I added a low G tried a few my favourites has been worths brown strings so far. I keep a concert in normal tuning my tenor has low G. Both have a place some songs lend better to low G some are better played with standard tuning. Most ukulele players I know end up with multiple instruments ! They do tend to multiply 😱 Sometimes if I find a new chord a real stretch for my fingers I’ll swap to the smaller concert uke till I perfect it then move back to tenor & try again. Oh by the way I always find C string takes longer than the other strings to settle after changing them. Goes out of tune more not sure why. Thanks for the awesome video’s.
I love the fretboard on that Uke. I only use low G and have not had any tuning issues.
I actually love the reentrant tuning. It makes a lot of sense while strumming. you can figure out melodies based on the "up & down movement", and I think this is probably the most ukulele thing.
Also, the low g is still pretty gummy, the bass doesn't sustain much, so you never get the basses of a classic guitar.
Basically with a low g you're just playing a guitar from the fourth string up, and from the fifth fret up.
Thanks for all your tutorials. I’ve been exercising my beginner skill set with your tutorials. Check the gap and seating depth in the nut for the C string.
May I ask you one question please Marco? Where is your mic placed when you record your videos?
Ti fa r in front if me a little lower than my face 30 cm away 🎸☀️
A few years ago we went to Kaui and wondered into a music store. As a guitar player I went directly to the six strings but ended up with an Uke in my hands. After an hour of handling 20+ Ukes, she took me to the "back" room. So, with three uke chords in my pocket, I bought an 800 dolla Raymond Rapoza Koa Tenor...with a hi G. I don't remember there being ANY hi dolla uke with anything but a hi G.
i have A low G ukulele, but i seldom play with. I like normal tuning ukulele, maybe because i play with it for the pass five years. i have tenor and concert saiz ukulele, i like them both. 😊
I keep my pono tenor tuned to low-G and my Islander Concert tuned to high-g. I need both sounds, but I prefer high-g tuning.
My personal take on low G ukulele strings is, if I want to play my guitar to get this tone I will grab my guitar & play it. Leave my ukulele to its standard string configuration, the tone & pitch is comparable to no other instrument around… simply beautiful! I have two ukuleles, Luna concert & Kala tenor
😍👏👏👏👏
Some of us have small hands, I tried guitar first but couldn’t play an f, any bar chords as a matter fact I couldn’t get them so I had to pick specific songs avoiding bar chords. Then I discovered the ukulele and my world change, I can play any chord I want (thank god for e alternatives) so now that’s my main and only instrument. So I got an electric ukulele to play those rock tunes I can’t on my standard ukulele
@@feevha Similar story here with a twist. I never mastered bar chords so avoided or transposed, but put up with that. Then arthritis in a couple of my knuckles meant some chord shapes were getting harder and harder to manage and I played less and less. Picking up a ukulele for me was a discovery of a lighter and easy action with less pressure.
Hi Marco, I've played guitar for many years, but just recently got hooked on the Uke. I have a Soprano, which I think is just too small, a Concert, which is better, and a Tenor, which is my favorite. The Concert and Tenor are both from Flight, the Victoria Model. I Love both of them. I have been thinking of changing one to low G but decided to just get a Baritone instead! So I've been looking around for a good one for quite a while. Still haven't found the "Right" one yet. I absolutely Love your channel!! Thanks SO MUCH for all the excellent content!!
I started with a soprano then got a concert, i have a low g on the concert, it is how i wanted it to sound. I didn't know it was the low g that made the sound i wanted until i put it on. Soprano i think i will keep a high g, for myself i wear a hipster wide pouch g-string, just turns more heads at the club & holds everything in place whilst breakdancing.
Have a tenor in low G and a sprano in high G....love both. Some songs are better on the low G some are better on the high G. Depends on the mood of the song. But when you need a happy mood go high g for the brighter sound. Both my ukes are kala travel ukes. First uke I ever owned a baritone. I recently tuned it to uke LowG C E A..instead of baritone DGBE. Because I was tried of head transposing the chord differences...but in uke tune lowGCEA my higher sorano voice it is easier to sing with and not have to mess with the clamp as much. Like your channel and the information you share. Thank you.
My ukulele’s are tenor’s and made by Kala. I use both tunings. Yes you can get a bad string with a set. I really enjoy your style.
I’m a guitar player, and I like the low G because it’s a familiar lower pitch for my thumb when I’m fingerpicking my 2 ukes.
Thank you!🙏🏻
Thanks for this video Marco. I am to be honest a bit frustrated with the low/high G necessity of choice. I own only one soprano ukulele (as I actually have space for one only) and I am going back and forth with the G string. I mostly use high G because (as many other people here say) in my opinion this tuning gives the ukulele its unique sound characteristic and gives more choice on which string to play the specific melodic parts. But as I mostly play fingerstyle, having an option to go one pitch lower opens a wider spectrum with a small cost. I can fairly easily substitute my missing high G (basically string E +3 frets up plays the same sound), but that costs some quality. However, I can't easily substitute the low G with anything else. Nevertheless, even though fingerstyle is my preferred technique, I'm still quite a new player, and I need to relay on arrangements created by other, more knowledgeable and experienced people. I would say that at the moment more arrangements (from what I am able to find) are in high G tuning than in the low G, but still there are many great ones for low G. And for those super beautiful low G arrangements I am constantly tempted to change to low G or give up on a decision to be minimalistic and to buy another ukulele 😄 Life is full of hard choices.
PS I don't like the wound type of low G string - it sounds too much like a guitar string. But there are not so many low G string options for soprano unfortunately. My so far preferred strings - Aquila Sugar - are available only with the high G (standard) or the basic wound low G.
shortly after I bought my first ukulele (high g soprano) I bought a 2nd (tenor) with low g. I like to have both options but the ukulele-feeling mainly comes from the high g.
I flip the G string with the C string and keep the G C E A tuning. Always worked for me. I learned this from Bruddah Iz.
I don't think it's an either or thing, but more of different styles complementing each other.
In Terms of strings: I have 3 main Ukes (all concerts) for different purposes: Standard Tuning, Low G and Low A. I use a Set of Fremont Black lines for Low G and the Fremont Soloist combined with Worth Browns for Low A. Standard Tuning I always use worth Clears. Experimenting with different Steing sets and materials is a lot of fun!
I just switched to low g (Aquila Red series low g) and I love the way it sounds.
Mine have a problem with the C string. It sounds broken … I am not sure why. I will have to replace it 🎸☀️
Same here. Switched to low g one year ago or so. But i don't like the low g Aquila strings.
Great videos! Thanks! I have a concert in standard and a electro acoustic tenor in low g. I think I prefer standard, because that's what I learned first, but I think I will like the low g more as I get better. I'm very interested in getting a 5 string with both next. I think this will be an easy new favorite! What do you think of a 5 string ukulele?
I plan to have a second ukulele soon so i can use both low g and high g tunings but I play an open g tuning most. Gbdg. I also use open c. Gceg. Ive never learned a standard tuning on any instrument, just open tunings as I love the way they sound. Maybe Ill learn standard uke one day. Time shall tell. But I prefer high g because I play clawhammer across all instruments I play and I like the high drone string.
Hi Marco - love your stuff!
I’d try a different brand/material string. I don’t think yours is a bad string, but that your uke wants a different density of material. If you try another set and it still seems off, might need to look at the action and/or fret leveling. My favorite strings are D'Addario Titanium.
A fun thing to try is a wound C - that can fill out the lower notes a bit without going all the way to low g.
I have a couple tenors, but recently got a concert - and I really love it. I love the uniqueness of the ukulele - so high G all the way, and the smaller body as well.
My one is soprano ...But I will try on it ..
Thanks Sir ,love and respect from India ❤️
Have Tenors tuned in each. Love your channel especially for the high G. Lots of Hawaiian players use the low G. Good Post
I have a couple of ukuleles, one with a standard G string, the other with a low G string - love both of them. Both ukuleles are tenors, but my favourite is my Cordoba 20 TM. I’ve been looking for an Oscar Schmidt but haven’t found one yet.
I sometimes capo a guitar at the fifth fret and just use the top 4 strings to simulate a uke with linear tuning.
Wow I love the sound of this ukulele! The light one with the symbols in the middle. How is it called please?
Well I started with a Kala U bass. I enjoy it immensely. So I am now looking into the world of Ukuleles. While trying to come up with a plan to avoid UAS(Ukulele Acquisition Syndrome) disease.
It seems like most TH-cam Ukukleleist own between 4-6 of these things minimum.
Yeah! I went through that at the beginning of the year. Sometimes its inevitable lol
@@MarcoCirilloUkulele after my search the most stable review For a cheap Ukulele I found on You tube was for Kmise (multiple instruments multiple years. used in class room setting.) Runner up was Donner. I know nothing of its longevity though.
Marco,
I understand what you mean about the high g. It’s gives the uke a beautiful melodic voice.
For singing, however, my preference is for the low G even in the soprano as I like the moving lower baseline.
My singing teacher a professional singer who is brilliant uses a low G on her soprano and what she does is wonderful. Until I met her it never occurred to me that a low G could work so well in a Soprano.
Of course my internal process changes and the Uke then is no longer a “Solo” lead instrument and now plays under and to accompany the lead Voice which then becomes the Primary.
I too thought I could live with just one tuning- it’s impossible. So I have a concert in high G and a soprano and tenor in low g.
With the low G I don’t “think” melodically on the instrument - I think “Rhythmically”- to backup the Voice. With the High G my internal thought process is “Melodic”.
My whole learning curve has gone way up since I found your channel.
You have a gift for teaching.
If i were in London I would study with you.
Most of the dedicated high G players I know are not singers. They may sing but don’t consider the Voice their “Primary” instrument.
Hi Marco.
The C string may be slipping at the neck or bridge.
I use Worth strings ….low G on both my Uke’s . I’m into listening to Jazzier side of music , and think the added range preferable.
Keep up the good work, I love it. !!
I have a TK-20 tenor Ohana acoustic Uke, and an Ashbury electro acoustic Tenor.
Yep. Next time I’ll definitely try Worth strings 🎸☀️😊
Broken string or not - you still sound better than I do! lol Thanks for the video. I have two ukes because some songs I like required the low G; otherwise my go-to uke is the re-entrant.
With the low g, the instrument sounds so much more beautiful
Tenor is my favourite, like your videos thanks mate