Questions from a new ukulele player
Hello!
I have decided to pick up ukulele due to a desire to play music on an instrument that... well... demands less of me. My instrument arrives tomorrow and I am so excited to start playing. I am a violinist and do love to play that but if anyone here has ever played one, they can attest to the fact that it is an instrument that demands more, more, and more of the player. I have stopped playing for the love of music and more because it is habit now. My husband, while not willing to admit it aloud in case it hurts my feelings, would also prefer a slightly quieter instrument.
Another factor in wanting to play is the social aspect. There is a ukulele community group in my small town that are really warm and inviting. They're constantly posting callouts in the local facebook groups to get people to join and will even let people try with no experience. There are always a few extra instruments so that newcomers can try. This is in contrast to the community orchestra which are some of the most elitist and snobby people I have ever met. One would think that they were paid members of a major symphony.
Here are my questions:
- What are the "gold standard" strings? Are there different types? I use gut strings on my violin because I use it in my medieval adventures and it is a period instrument so I want it to be as accurate as possible.
- Do ukuleles need humidity control? How sensitive are they to temperature changes? How sensitive are the strings to temperature/light changes? With my violin I have humidity controls in the case and if I so much as breathe on the gut strings incorrectly they seem to lose tune.