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Ukuleles
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Author:  paulrace [ Wed Aug 13, 2014 3:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Ukuleles

When I was a kid, ukuleles were not taken seriously. Their temporary mid-century popularity seemed to peg them as toys or as miniature guitars for people who couldn't be bothered to learn a six-stringed instrument. :(

Fortunately, the last few decades have brought some change. Even folks who don't play ukulele themselves have been to realize that it is capable of richer tonalities than most folks expect to hear from the things. :)

If you have something to share or ask about these ukuleles or related instruments, and you're signed in, hit the "New Topic" or "Post Reply" button and let us know what is on your mind.

Author:  singalongsue [ Wed Nov 19, 2014 6:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ukuleles

I would bet that part of the reason ukes weren't taken seriously was because of Tiny Tim and Tiptoe Through the Tulips (and Miss Vicky and all that nonsense). That happened courtesy of Johnny Carson in the late 1960's, and caused everyone to put down their ukes immediately. Maybe part of it was because of the Hawaiian/vacation vibe too -- there are lots of cheapo unplayable ukes for sale on the island. However, I learned guitar chords (the first 4 strings, anyway) as a young child (with small hands) on a Smeck mahogany ukulele in the mid-1960's. That is an easy way for a young child to start to learn chords. The chords are different on the uke - a C on the uke is a G on the guitar, for example. But the fingering is consistent across the 2 instruments - you just have to learn new names for the chords when you move to the guitar. I have gone back to the uke recently and I enjoy the many varieties of chords (flatted. augmented, diminished, etc) that are easily reachable on it ... and its whimsical quality. I think Jake Shimabukuro (a far cry from Tiny Tim) has brought respect to it, much in the same way that Andre Segovia gave the guitar respect. I recently bought a Recording King banjo uke and have been having a lot of fun with it. There is a very good website called QuietAmericanMusic.com (Aaron and Nicole Keim) that includes some good instruction on fingerstyle and bluegrassy uke.

Author:  paulrace [ Wed Nov 19, 2014 10:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ukuleles

Susan,

I recently read that because the Uke has a high string where a guitar would ordinarily have a bass string, some three-finger banjo-picking patterns can be adapted.

I couldn't get the videos on this page to play (I think my flash program is messed up), but the tab for the clawhammer Uke looks like that's what he's doing.

http://quietamericanmusic.com/ukuleletabsandvideos/

Thanks for the link,

Paul

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