How do i tune and play my 8 string ukulele thing i bought in the cook islands?

Question

i like to buy instruments from different countries and i bought this in the cook islands and the man who sold it to me and made it said that it is a ukulele. but i can't figure out how to play it and tune it. But i really want to:( please help me

Answer 1

Interesting looking instrument!

It looks like the 8 strings are actually strung in pairs like a 12-string guitar, am I right?  IF that's true, then my first thought was to tune it in fifths like a mandolin (from lowest to highest: GG DD AA EE).  OTOH, the fingerboard looks like its a longer scale length than a mandolin, so it might be easier to play if you tuned similarly to the top 4 strings of a guitar (from lowest to highest: DD GG BB EE).

Answer 2

It's a Tahitian ukulele to be exact (slightly different to the Hawaiian style ukulele). There's a PDF about the Tahitian ukulele here:

http://files.meetup.com/158468/Tahitian_...

And a bunch of video lessons for the Tahitian ukulele here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/kanua8

It looks like a left handed Tahitian ukulele you've got (unless the image is reversed).

Answer 3

Here ya go.  How to play, and tune a ukulele.  Enjoy.

http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=free+uk...

http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=how+to+...

Answer 4

kaiti J,

Looks like a cool instrument.  Let's see if we can tune it.

There are two common tunings for the uke.  GCEA (C tuning) and the Canadian tuning ADF#B (D tuning).  The G or (if you choose Canadian tuning) A string is closest to your chin while holding the ukulele.

I'm more familiar with the C tuning so will explain it altho' D tuning is the same.

First, the strings will tune in sets of two.

Let's take the G strings.  See if both strings are the same thickness.  If they are then both strings will tune to the same pitch.  If one string is thicker than the other, then the thinner string will tune an octave higher.  The same for the C, E, and A strings.

Here are some sound bites to help you hear the different notes.

http://ukulelehunt.com/2008/04/10/ukulel...

If you're still have problems try a new set of strings.  However, make sure you know what size.  Most likely you have a tenor ukulele.  You can purchase two four string sets or an eight string set.  Check out

http://stores.ebay.com/Musicguymics-Room...  He has all kinds of strings.  My personall favorite is Aquila.

This is how it should sound when tuned correctly.

http://www.kanileaukulele.com/index15.ht...

Lessons?

Check and see if there's a ukulele club near you and go play along with them.  They'll be happy to help you.

But here's some online sites I like.

http://ukeschool.com/

http://www.doctoruke.com/songs.html

http://www.salemukes.com/downloads.htm

Have fun.

CowUkeA

WOW!  I wrote a book.  But, you asked.