*Sniff* Tiny Tim Would Be So Proud…
The ukulele is experiencing (another) revival. This time Britain is seeing a resurgence in the popularity of the little four-stringed wonder.
Music shops report a roaring trade in the tiny guitar-shaped instruments while some schools are abandoning recorders to set up their own ukulele orchestras.
A reputation for being easy to pick up and play, coupled with its resemblance to the guitar are said to be driving the classroom revival.
Ane Larsen, director of the Kitchen School of Music, teaches school children in Devon and in east London where her lessons have replaced long-running recorder work.
She said unlike the recorder, the ukulele left mouths free for singing and taught children both rhythm and melody. She said "It's definitely becoming more and more popular."
The little, guitar-shaped ukulele lets little kids make music really quickly. My own youngest son picked one up and figured out how to play well enough to perform publicly in two weeks. And they can be used for an amazingly wide range of music styles. Led Zeppelin for example. Then there's the late Israel Kamakawiwo Ole. He's in a class by himself. Over the rainbow, Iz.
UPDATE: Sam sent this link via comments. Jake Shimabukuro does George Harrison.
Music, World news | Gaius Saturday, 20 October , 2007
By Sam L., Sunday, 21 October , 2007 @ 8:44 am
The Anchoress (IIRC) linked to Midnight Ukelele Disco some months back:
http://www.ukuleledisco.com/jake?PHPSESSID=098fed66c5a167167e9e4e0734c2724d
Tiny Tim would weep with joy.
By wheels, Sunday, 21 October , 2007 @ 5:55 pm
Ukes are fun. I bought my first one a few years ago on a trip to Hawaii - I bought it at the Agasa Furniture and Music Store in Hilo. I’ve owned guitars since I was in high school, and bought my first banjo about 30 years ago, but I’m already better on uke than either of them.
I think a lot of it’s because the uke is so much more portable - it’s easy to pick up and take along, so I tend to pick it up more often.