Difference between Ukelele and Cavaquinho?

[nono]

I'm very tempted to get a ukelele to add to my collection (musician's
disease again)

i think it has a very distinct sound from the guitar.
but since i like to play samba and choro, i thought hmmm...why not
just buy a cavaquinho?

is there any difference between the two?
can i tune either one to my liking?
are the ranges pretty much the same?

i read that the ukelele is based off the cavaquinho so im assuming its
the same instrument.
wonder why ukelele is so much cheaper in price.

cheers
n

[Daniella Thompson]

People in Brazil asked the same question and received these answers:

http://br.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061007105833AAXfR1a

O ukulele tem uma afinação padrão diferente - sol-dó-mi-lá (o sol,
quarta corda, é mais agudo que o dó, terceira corda) - e usa
normalmente encordoamento de nylon.

Translation: The ukulele is tuned differently -- the G (fourth) string
has a higher sound than the C (third) string -- and utilizes nylon
strings.

http://forum.cifraclub.terra.com.br/forum/9/104801/

O Ukelele utiliza afinação aberta em G com cordas de nylon, o
espaçamento entre as cordas é maior que o do cavaquinho na região da
ponte, o corpo do ukelele é mais esbelto e feito em koa, madeira
típica do Hawaii, que dá a característica tradicional do som desse
instrumento.

Translation: The ukulele has an open tuning in G with nylon strings,
the spacing between the strings is wider than in the cavaquinho, and
the ukulele's body is more svelte and made of Hawaiian koa wood, which
gives the ukulele its characteristic traditional sound.

--
Daniella
_______

Daniella Thompson on Brazil:
The Magazine of
Brazilian Music & Culture
http://daniv.blogspot.com

Musica Brasiliensis
http://daniellathompson.com

[nono]

Post by Daniella Thompson
http://br.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061007105833AAXfR1a
O ukulele tem uma afinação padrão diferente - sol-dó-mi-lá (o sol,
quarta corda, é mais agudo que o dó, terceira corda) - e usa
normalmente encordoamento de nylon.
Translation: The ukulele is tuned differently -- the G (fourth) string
has a higher sound than the C (third) string -- and utilizes nylon
strings.
http://forum.cifraclub.terra.com.br/forum/9/104801/
O Ukelele utiliza afinação aberta em G com cordas de nylon, o
espaçamento entre as cordas é maior que o do cavaquinho na região da
ponte, o corpo do ukelele é mais esbelto e feito em koa, madeira
típica do Hawaii, que dá a característica tradicional do som desse
instrumento.
Translation: The ukulele has an open tuning in G with nylon strings,
the spacing between the strings is wider than in the cavaquinho, and
the ukulele's body is more svelte and made of Hawaiian koa wood, which
gives the ukulele its characteristic traditional sound.
--
Daniella
_______
The Magazine of
Brazilian Music & Culturehttp://daniv.blogspot.com
Musica Brasiliensishttp://daniellathompson.com

oi daniella

tudo bem?
obgriado por isto.
entao, os dois e mais menos la mesma coisa nao?
pode afinar como voce queres
as differencias solamente feito do madera e os spacios entre os
cordes.

obrigado.
eu penso, vou comprar um cavaquinho.

n

[Fred]

nono,

Though the modern ukulele is closer to the "cavaquinho" played in
regional portuguese music, the cavaquinho played in Brazil today is an
"evolution" (in the scientific sense) of the instrument that was
probably brought from the Madeira Islands. In essence they are two
different instruments. Some disagree with me, but if it does not talk
like a duck, nor it walks like a duck...

The timbre, tuning, woods, and shape are substantially different in
the cavaquinho when you compare it with the ukulele. Once you have a
chance to play both, you will know what I'm talking about.

If you are to buy an off-the-shelf cavaquinho, I would recommend
Giannini's. They are not the best, but are better than Rozzini's for
finishing, holding tuning, and sound. However, as with any other
string instrument, a good luthier made cavaquinho can't be beat. The
best site with references for those is out (www.bandolim.cjb.net), so
I'll own you this one.

I assume you intend to play choro and samba, I would also recommend
the book "A escola moderna do cavaquinho" by Henrique Cazes, one of
the greatest cavaquinistas. The book is published by Editora Lumiar.
It is a slim but comprehensive method with some music, and good drills
and exercises. If I can give you an advice, try to hold the temptation
of going the easy path (natural tuning d-g-b-e) and play it with the
traditional tuning of d-g-b-d.

If you want to see a little more of the traditional Portuguese
cavaquinho, in the link below you can find a nice sample of all the
different guitars used in Portuguese music: http://www.jose-lucio.com/Pagina2/Sons%20e%20tons.PDF
- note that, despite what's said in this page, the traditional tuning
of the cavaquinho in Brazil is D-G-B-D, as I mentioned above.

Have fun,
Fred

Post by Daniella Thompson
http://br.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061007105833AAXfR1a
O ukulele tem uma afinação padrão diferente - sol-dó-mi-lá (o sol,
quarta corda, é mais agudo que o dó, terceira corda) - e usa
normalmente encordoamento de nylon.
Translation: The ukulele is tuned differently -- the G (fourth) string
has a higher sound than the C (third) string -- and utilizes nylon
strings.
http://forum.cifraclub.terra.com.br/forum/9/104801/
O Ukelele utiliza afinação aberta em G com cordas de nylon, o
espaçamento entre as cordas é maior que o do cavaquinho na região da
ponte, o corpo do ukelele é mais esbelto e feito em koa, madeira
típica do Hawaii, que dá a característica tradicional do som desse
instrumento.
Translation: The ukulele has an open tuning in G with nylon strings,
the spacing between the strings is wider than in the cavaquinho, and
the ukulele's body is more svelte and made of Hawaiian koa wood, which
gives the ukulele its characteristic traditional sound.
--
Daniella
_______
The Magazine of
Brazilian Music & Culturehttp://daniv.blogspot.com

[nono]

Post by Fred
nono,
Though the modern ukulele is closer to the "cavaquinho" played in
regional portuguese music, the cavaquinho played in Brazil today is an
"evolution" (in the scientific sense) of the instrument that was
probably brought from the Madeira Islands. In essence they are two
different instruments. Some disagree with me, but if it does not talk
like a duck, nor it walks like a duck...
The timbre, tuning, woods, and shape are substantially different in
the cavaquinho when you compare it with the ukulele. Once you have a
chance to play both, you will know what I'm talking about.
If you are to buy an off-the-shelf cavaquinho, I would recommend
Giannini's. They are not the best, but are better than Rozzini's for
finishing, holding tuning, and sound. However, as with any other
string instrument, a good luthier made cavaquinho can't be beat. The
best site with references for those is out (www.bandolim.cjb.net), so
I'll own you this one.
I assume you intend to play choro and samba, I would also recommend
the book "A escola moderna do cavaquinho" by Henrique Cazes, one of
the greatest cavaquinistas. The book is published by Editora Lumiar.
It is a slim but comprehensive method with some music, and good drills
and exercises. If I can give you an advice, try to hold the temptation
of going the easy path (natural tuning d-g-b-e) and play it with the
traditional tuning of d-g-b-d.
If you want to see a little more of the traditional Portuguese
cavaquinho, in the link below you can find a nice sample of all the
different guitars used in Portuguese music:http://www.jose-lucio.com/Pagina2/Sons%20e%20tons.PDF
 - note that, despite what's said in this page, the traditional tuning
of the cavaquinho in Brazil is D-G-B-D, as I mentioned above.
Have fun,
Fred

Post by Daniella Thompson
http://br.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061007105833AAXfR1a
O ukulele tem uma afinação padrão diferente - sol-dó-mi-lá (o sol,
quarta corda, é mais agudo que o dó, terceira corda) - e usa
normalmente encordoamento de nylon.
Translation: The ukulele is tuned differently -- the G (fourth) string
has a higher sound than the C (third) string -- and utilizes nylon
strings.
http://forum.cifraclub.terra.com.br/forum/9/104801/
O Ukelele utiliza afinação aberta em G com cordas de nylon, o
espaçamento entre as cordas é maior que o do cavaquinho na região da
ponte, o corpo do ukelele é mais esbelto e feito em koa, madeira
típica do Hawaii, que dá a característica tradicional do som desse
instrumento.
Translation: The ukulele has an open tuning in G with nylon strings,
the spacing between the strings is wider than in the cavaquinho, and
the ukulele's body is more svelte and made of Hawaiian koa wood, which
gives the ukulele its characteristic traditional sound.
--
Daniella
_______
The Magazine of
Brazilian Music & Culturehttp://daniv.blogspot.com

oi fred,

wow!
i didnt realize that there was so many different styles of guitar.
that's an eye opener for me.

as for my question, i wanted to buy only one, a cavaquinho or a uke
because having two would be too much.
so i thought if they weren't too different, i can just buy one a
cavaquinho and when i play uke songs, just re-tune it so i can use the
song sheets for uke. i still may do this.

one last thing, does a cavaquinho use steel or nylon strings? i heard
both.

[Daniella Thompson]

Post by nono
one last thing, does a cavaquinho use steel or nylon strings? i heard
both.

You can use either steel or nylon.
To learn more, just google any of the following key-word combinations:
cavaquinho strings
cavaquinho nylon strings
cavaquinho cordas

--
Daniella
_______

Daniella Thompson on Brazil:
The Magazine of
Brazilian Music & Culture
http://daniv.blogspot.com

Musica Brasiliensis
http://daniellathompson.com

[Fred]

Post by Daniella Thompson

Post by nono
one last thing, does a cavaquinho use steel or nylon strings? i heard
both.

You can use either steel or nylon.
cavaquinho strings
cavaquinho nylon strings
cavaquinho cordas
--
Daniella
_______
The Magazine of
Brazilian Music & Culturehttp://daniv.blogspot.com
Musica Brasiliensishttp://daniellathompson.com

Sorry Daniella but that is incorrect. This is another major difference
from the Cavaquinho to the Ukulele that I forgot to mention. The
ukulele can be play with both steel and nylon strings. The later gives
it its sweet mellow sound. The cavaquinho on the other hand is only
played with steel strings. The main cultural reason for that is that
its main function in a regional or samba group is to take care of the
harmony, therefore it's got to make itself heard.

So, nono, if you want the ukulele feel, you'll have to get one. You
can also play samba with it... but, c'mon, it will not be the same
thing ;)

Fred

[Daniella Thompson]

Sorry Daniella but that is incorrect. [...] The cavaquinho on the other hand is only
played with steel strings.

That hasn't stopped some people from playing cavaquinho with nylons
strings. :-)

DT

[Fred]

Post by Daniella Thompson

Sorry Daniella but that is incorrect. [...] The cavaquinho on the other hand is only
played with steel strings.

That hasn't stopped some people from playing cavaquinho with nylons
strings. :-)
DT

Daniella, I would hate that someone with your knowledge would carry
this misconception. I really mean it as I have learned a good deal
from your articles.

But the cavaquinho is not, and never was, played with nylon strings. I
can assure you will not find any recording with a "nylon cavaquinho"
not even the crummiest Pagode player (make sure you not listen to a
brazilianized banjo). Nor you will ever get into a roda de choro or de
samba and you will see the cavaquinista with nylon strings. In Cazes
book, he mentions that you can't (couldn't, the d'addario strings are
pretty good) find cavaquinho strings you should go after steel guitar
strings. Else, a good proof of that is that you will not find nylon
strings for cavaquinho commercially.

Just google it and you will see that you do not see both words
together. ;)

Abração,
Fred

[Daniella Thompson]

Fred,

[...] the cavaquinho is not, and never was, played with nylon strings.

Please separate what I said from any context of choro and samba. The
question was not "How is the cavaquinho played by chorões and
sambistas?" The question was about how the instrument can be played.
And the answer is that it can be and has been played with both types
of strings. While steel strings are the traditional and prevalent
ones, they are by no means the only ones.

--
Daniella
_______

Daniella Thompson on Brazil:
The Magazine of
Brazilian Music & Culture
http://daniv.blogspot.com

Musica Brasiliensis
http://daniellathompson.com

[Fred]

Daniella,

Sorry to disagree again, but looking from a musician point of view to
say a cavaquinho can be played with nylon string is equivalent to say
that a violin can be stringed with nylon strings.Else, putting animal
skin in a modern drum set. Can it be done? Of course, but it would be
non sense to do so.

There is no prevalence or tradition, the fact is that the "brazilian"
cavaquinho (with its unique characteristics when compared to the
Portuguese one, or the ukulele for that matter) is only played with
steel strings. Again, a quick google search will show you that there
are not such things as "nylon strings" for cavaquinho.

I hope this clarifies the issue.
Abraço,
Fred

Post by Daniella Thompson
Fred,

[...] the cavaquinho is not, and never was, played with nylon strings.

Please separate what I said from any context of choro and samba. The
question was not "How is the cavaquinho played by chorões and
sambistas?" The question was about how the instrument can be played.
And the answer is that it can be and has been played with both types
of strings. While steel strings are the traditional and prevalent
ones, they are by no means the only ones.
--
Daniella
_______
The Magazine of
Brazilian Music & Culturehttp://daniv.blogspot.com
Musica Brasiliensishttp://daniellathompson.com

[Daniella Thompson]

Fred,

Post by Fred
Again, a quick google search will show you that there
are not such things as "nylon strings" for cavaquinho.

There's no need to tell me to do a Google search when I suggested the
same thing earlier -- after having done my own search, natch.

--
DT

[Fred]

Do not get me wrong here, but I just want to make sure that this post,
which will be read in the future, will have correct information about
my beloved instrument. The cavaquinho is not widely popular around the
world, as we all know, and it would be a shame to have this board as
one source of incorrect information about the cavaquinho on the
internet.

The statements about the cavaquinho strings are made above. But, in
case you do not believe this humble source, googling the words "nylon
strings" and cavaquinho will give you a big number of hits. In almost
all of them the words "nylon strings" are associated with either the
guitar or to the ukulele. The only instance in which I could find
someone trying to use nylon strings in a cavaquinho is here:
http://www.ezfolk.com/forums/view_topic.php?id=5183&forum_id=19&jump_to=34463use
and here http://www.ezfolk.com/forums/forum19/4374.html . Some uke
players have tried already...

You might be able to find some more musicians who tried play
cavaquinho with nylon strings or to try to play it yourself. If you do
so, leave your impressions here. Maybe we will all learn something
new.

Abraço,
Fred

Post by Daniella Thompson
Fred,

Post by Fred
Again, a quick google search will show you that there
are not such things as "nylon strings" for cavaquinho.

There's no need to tell me to do a Google search when I suggested the
same thing earlier -- after having done my own search, natch.
--
DT

[SSMusic]

I don't see how could nylon strings can
possibly work on such short scale instrument
in such high register. There is no nylon strings
of such light gauge and they would be so out
of tune in high positions on the fingerboard that
it would be impossible to play anything.

I put nylon strings on Ovation 1993 Collectors
guitar that is originally designed for steel strings
and has slightly shorter scale. And even though
I use X-tra high tension nylons they are still are
out of tune in extreme high positions.
--
Serge Stodolnik.
Production Music for Film/advertisement/production
libraries/multimedia/web sites.
http://www.ssmusic.us
http://www.myspace.com/stodolnik
http://www.youtube.com/ssmusic214
E-MAIL: ***@NO SPAM tx.rr.com









"Fred" <***@gmail.com> wrote in message news:5ddfb62b-dd30-4cf8-ab76-***@m44g2000hsc.googlegroups.com...
Do not get me wrong here, but I just want to make sure that this post,
which will be read in the future, will have correct information about
my beloved instrument. The cavaquinho is not widely popular around the
world, as we all know, and it would be a shame to have this board as
one source of incorrect information about the cavaquinho on the
internet.

The statements about the cavaquinho strings are made above. But, in
case you do not believe this humble source, googling the words "nylon
strings" and cavaquinho will give you a big number of hits. In almost
all of them the words "nylon strings" are associated with either the
guitar or to the ukulele. The only instance in which I could find
someone trying to use nylon strings in a cavaquinho is here:
http://www.ezfolk.com/forums/view_topic.php?id=5183&forum_id=19&jump_to=34463use
and here http://www.ezfolk.com/forums/forum19/4374.html . Some uke
players have tried already...

You might be able to find some more musicians who tried play
cavaquinho with nylon strings or to try to play it yourself. If you do
so, leave your impressions here. Maybe we will all learn something
new.

Abraço,
Fred

Post by Daniella Thompson
Fred,

Post by Fred
Again, a quick google search will show you that there
are not such things as "nylon strings" for cavaquinho.

There's no need to tell me to do a Google search when I suggested the
same thing earlier -- after having done my own search, natch.
--
DT

[nono]

Post by SSMusic
I don't see how could nylon strings can
possibly work on such short scale instrument
in such high register. There is no nylon strings
of such light gauge and they would be so out
of tune in high positions on the fingerboard that
it would be impossible to play anything.
I put nylon strings on Ovation 1993 Collectors
guitar that is originally designed for steel strings
and has slightly shorter scale. And even though
I use X-tra high tension nylons they are still are
out of tune in extreme high positions.
--
Serge Stodolnik.
Production Music for Film/advertisement/production
libraries/multimedia/web sites.http://www.ssmusic.ushttp://www.myspace.com/stodolnikhttp://www.youtube.com/ssmusic214
Do not get me wrong here, but I just want to make sure that this post,
which will be read in the future, will have correct information about
my beloved instrument. The cavaquinho is not widely popular around the
world, as we all know, and it would be a shame to have this board as
one source of incorrect information about the cavaquinho on the
internet.
The statements about the cavaquinho strings are made above. But, in
case you do not believe this humble source, googling the words "nylon
strings" and cavaquinho  will give you a big number of hits. In almost
all of them the words "nylon strings" are associated with either the
guitar or to the ukulele. The only instance in which I could find
someone trying to use nylon strings in a cavaquinho is here:http://www.ezfolk.com/forums/view_topic.php?id=5183&forum_id=19&jump_...
and herehttp://www.ezfolk.com/forums/forum19/4374.html . Some uke
players have tried already...
You might be able to find some more musicians who tried play
cavaquinho with nylon strings or to try to play it yourself. If you do
so, leave your impressions here. Maybe we will all learn something
new.
Abraço,
Fred

Post by Daniella Thompson
Fred,

Post by Fred
Again, a quick google search will show you that there
are not such things as "nylon strings" for cavaquinho.

There's no need to tell me to do a Google search when I suggested the
same thing earlier -- after having done my own search, natch.
--
DT

thx fred. i appreciate your sensitivity to the integrity of
information you disseminate thru the web.
its hard enough to get accurate info thru the web or wikipedia, that
im glad to see when someone takes care about the info he or she is
letting out.

it does make sense to have steel strings on a practical basis.
especially when played in a large group, as in a roda de samba et al.
a cavaquinho needs to have steel strings to be heard otherwise the
sound will be muffled.

but to get back to the general question i had, i guess i can still buy
a cavaquinho and still play re-tune it if im playing those tabs or
sheets for uke.
i guess more or less, it will sound like a ukelele at that point. yes?
no?

i just dont want to have to buy two things when one can sub for the
other.

[SSMusic]

Well, ........
you can put any strings on anything else (almost).
I put nylon strings on shorter scale narrow neck guitar,
because I also play jazz guitar and it's simply more
practical when playing commercial gigs.

Of course it sounds different from real classical or
Brazilian nylon strings guitar but in this case only
slightly different.

Difference between nylons and steel on cavaquinho
would be much greater....
--
Serge Stodolnik.
Production Music for Film/advertisement/production
libraries/multimedia/web sites.
http://www.ssmusic.us
http://www.myspace.com/stodolnik
http://www.youtube.com/ssmusic214

Post by SSMusic
I don't see how could nylon strings can
possibly work on such short scale instrument
in such high register. There is no nylon strings
of such light gauge and they would be so out
of tune in high positions on the fingerboard that
it would be impossible to play anything.
I put nylon strings on Ovation 1993 Collectors
guitar that is originally designed for steel strings
and has slightly shorter scale. And even though
I use X-tra high tension nylons they are still are
out of tune in extreme high positions.
--
Serge Stodolnik.
Production Music for Film/advertisement/production
libraries/multimedia/web
sites.http://www.ssmusic.ushttp://www.myspace.com/stodolnikhttp://www.youtube.com/ssmusic214
Do not get me wrong here, but I just want to make sure that this post,
which will be read in the future, will have correct information about
my beloved instrument. The cavaquinho is not widely popular around the
world, as we all know, and it would be a shame to have this board as
one source of incorrect information about the cavaquinho on the
internet.
The statements about the cavaquinho strings are made above. But, in
case you do not believe this humble source, googling the words "nylon
strings" and cavaquinho will give you a big number of hits. In almost
all of them the words "nylon strings" are associated with either the
guitar or to the ukulele. The only instance in which I could find
someone trying to use nylon strings in a cavaquinho is
here:http://www.ezfolk.com/forums/view_topic.php?id=5183&forum_id=19&jump_...
and herehttp://www.ezfolk.com/forums/forum19/4374.html . Some uke
players have tried already...
You might be able to find some more musicians who tried play
cavaquinho with nylon strings or to try to play it yourself. If you do
so, leave your impressions here. Maybe we will all learn something
new.
Abraço,
Fred

Post by Daniella Thompson
Fred,

Post by Fred
Again, a quick google search will show you that there
are not such things as "nylon strings" for cavaquinho.

There's no need to tell me to do a Google search when I suggested the
same thing earlier -- after having done my own search, natch.
--
DT

thx fred. i appreciate your sensitivity to the integrity of
information you disseminate thru the web.
its hard enough to get accurate info thru the web or wikipedia, that
im glad to see when someone takes care about the info he or she is
letting out.

it does make sense to have steel strings on a practical basis.
especially when played in a large group, as in a roda de samba et al.
a cavaquinho needs to have steel strings to be heard otherwise the
sound will be muffled.

but to get back to the general question i had, i guess i can still buy
a cavaquinho and still play re-tune it if im playing those tabs or
sheets for uke.
i guess more or less, it will sound like a ukelele at that point. yes?
no?

i just dont want to have to buy two things when one can sub for the
other.

[nono]

Post by SSMusic
Well, ........
you can put any strings on anything else (almost).
I put nylon strings on shorter scale narrow neck guitar,
because I also play jazz guitar and it's simply more
practical when playing commercial gigs.
Of course it sounds different from real classical or
Brazilian nylon strings guitar but in this case only
slightly different.
Difference between nylons and steel on cavaquinho
would be much greater....
--
Serge Stodolnik.
Production Music for Film/advertisement/production
libraries/multimedia/web sites.http://www.ssmusic.ushttp://www.myspace.com/stodolnikhttp://www.youtube.com/ssmusic214

Post by SSMusic
I don't see how could nylon strings can
possibly work on such short scale instrument
in such high register. There is no nylon strings
of such light gauge and they would be so out
of tune in high positions on the fingerboard that
it would be impossible to play anything.
I put nylon strings on Ovation 1993 Collectors
guitar that is originally designed for steel strings
and has slightly shorter scale. And even though
I use X-tra high tension nylons they are still are
out of tune in extreme high positions.
--
Serge Stodolnik.
Production Music for Film/advertisement/production
libraries/multimedia/web
sites.http://www.ssmusic.ushttp://www.myspace.com/stodolnikhttp://www.youtu...
Do not get me wrong here, but I just want to make sure that this post,
which will be read in the future, will have correct information about
my beloved instrument. The cavaquinho is not widely popular around the
world, as we all know, and it would be a shame to have this board as
one source of incorrect information about the cavaquinho on the
internet.
The statements about the cavaquinho strings are made above. But, in
case you do not believe this humble source, googling the words "nylon
strings" and cavaquinho will give you a big number of hits. In almost
all of them the words "nylon strings" are associated with either the
guitar or to the ukulele. The only instance in which I could find
someone trying to use nylon strings in a cavaquinho is
here:http://www.ezfolk.com/forums/view_topic.php?id=5183&forum_id=19&jump_...
and herehttp://www.ezfolk.com/forums/forum19/4374.html. Some uke
players have tried already...
You might be able to find some more musicians who tried play
cavaquinho with nylon strings or to try to play it yourself. If you do
so, leave your impressions here. Maybe we will all learn something
new.
Abraço,
Fred

Post by Daniella Thompson
Fred,

Post by Fred
Again, a quick google search will show you that there
are not such things as "nylon strings" for cavaquinho.

There's no need to tell me to do a Google search when I suggested the
same thing earlier -- after having done my own search, natch.
--
DT

thx fred. i appreciate your sensitivity to the integrity of
information you disseminate thru the web.
its hard enough to get accurate info thru the web or wikipedia, that
im glad to see when someone takes care about the info he or she is
letting out.
it does make sense to have steel strings on a practical basis.
especially when played in a large group, as in a roda de samba et al.
a cavaquinho needs to have steel strings to be heard otherwise the
sound will be muffled.
but to get back to the general question i had, i guess i can still buy
a cavaquinho and still play re-tune it if im playing those tabs or
sheets for uke.
i guess more or less, it will sound like a ukelele at that point. yes?
no?
i just dont want to have to buy two things when one can sub for the
other.

no.
i was talking about getting either a cavaquinho vs. uke
not nylon vs. string.

[Fred]

Nono,

Yes you definitely could. A cavaquinho tuned with the traditional uke
G-C-E-A does have the ukulele feel. But if I were you I would test-
drive the cavaquinho with the uke tuning before buying one just to
make sure it has the feel you are looking for.

Fred

[nono]

Post by Fred
Nono,
Yes you definitely could. A cavaquinho tuned with the traditional uke
G-C-E-A does have the ukulele feel. But if I were you I would test-
drive the cavaquinho with the uke tuning before buying one just to
make sure it has the feel you are looking for.
Fred

sounds good.
next step, finding one.
i have too many instruments already! arggh

[Gerry]

Post by nono

Post by Fred
Nono,
Yes you definitely could. A cavaquinho tuned with the traditional uke
G-C-E-A does have the ukulele feel. But if I were you I would test-
drive the cavaquinho with the uke tuning before buying one just to
make sure it has the feel you are looking for.
Fred

sounds good.
next step, finding one.
i have too many instruments already! arggh

I come to the party late and play both cavaquinho and ukulele.

I have never heard or seen a cavaquinho with nylon strings. It could be
done, but neck problems would ensue as the tension would likely not be
enough for the neck. A luthier might well have to make the instrument
capable of using nylon strings, whereupon it would be unfit for steel
strings. I have no doubt that someone has prepped a cavaco for nylon,
or that someone has made a 5 or 6 string cavaquinho, etc. Decent gauge
strings and tuned to pitch remind one that these little instruments are
hard on the fingers. Certainly someone has tried putting nylon strings
on it. But at that point, it couldn't even compete with the pandeiro
for volume. It would be drowned out even by an average volume
discussion.

Put steel strings on a ukulele and you'll snap the neck. A uke can not
hold this tension. I don't think any of them have a reinforced neck;
I've never seen or heard of such a uke.

If the choice is between a cavaco and uke I would buy both. Ukes are
very inexpensive and buying a really nice Hawaiian hand-made instrument
could cost alot and not sound vastly different than a plastic model. A
cheap uke had be had for $30 or $40.

They are very different in their intent these little guys: A cavaco is
built for volume and drive. A uke is built for quiet and gentleness. I
would recommend any adult interested in ukulele buy a tenor rather than
the "regular" soprano. They tune to the same pitch, and use the same
strings, but the tenor has a larger body, so a fuller sound and more
importantly has a larger and more easily fingered neck for adult hands.