Ukulele - Recently Updated Pages

Ukulele performers

mark — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 07:46:30 CST

Check out the Ukelele Hall of Fame.

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain performing "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana:

The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra performing "Hey Ya" by Outkast:

Also, I just discovered the site for the Portland Ukelele Association.

Their next gathering is April 23, 2006 1-3 p.m
Location:
St. David's Episcopal Church
2800 SE Harrison (in the Hawthorne District)
Portland, Oregon
Map

Gotta love the little animated ukelele
players they have on the PUA site!

But even MORE exciting:
The Portland UkeFest 2006!

June 21-25, Reed College.

The ukulele festival will feature several players, including the new "young gun," James Hill. I'm so there!

Types of Ukuleles

kayakpete — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 07:14:49 CST

There are many different sizes and types of Ukuleles such as:

Soprano
Concert
Tenor
Baritone

Features of each include:

Soprano

Soprano ukuleles are ideal for children because of their size. Like anything there are a range of models available such as the inexpensive Hohner HU212 through to the more upscale Bushman 2A Koawood Soprano Ukulele.

Soprano ukuleles are typically tuned G C E A:

First String	A (440)
Second String	E (329.6)
Third String	C (261.6)
Fourth String	G (392)

Aleternately, they can be tuned A D F# B

Online Ukulele Resources

Anonymous — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 08:02:26 CDT

http://www.collegehumor.com/movies/159572/

Tiny Tim

Braguinha — Wed, 24 May 2006 16:56:52 CDT

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Cliff Edwards

Braguinha — Wed, 24 May 2006 16:51:59 CDT

Born in 1895 in Hannibal, MO (what other famous American was born there?). He left home at a young age to travel the vaudeville circuit.

He recorded his first record in 1919 and was a really popular musician in the 1920s and 1930s.

Interestingly enough, he became most famous when he got a radio gig with CBS. While an excellent musician, he's probably 'most recognized' as the voice of Jiminy Cricket in Pinocchio.

This is a great fan site that details Cliff's entire life as well as his discography.

Home

Braguinha — Wed, 24 May 2006 16:44:02 CDT

Just what IS a Ukulele?

The ukulele is a fretted instrument fitted with four nylon strings tuned to G C E A. (Note: this is the normal tuning for the ukulele) The instrument can be played with the bare fingers. This method of playing is known as 'finger style.' Another way of playing the ukulele is by strumming it with a ukulele plectrum. But the most popular method of playing the ukulele is with the bare fingers using complex strumming techniques.

Great web resources for ukelele lovers:

Wikipedia page - a great 'general reference' site for information
Ukulele Hall of Fame - all the information you ever wanted to know about this type of instrument

Ukulele Manufacturers

Tamara — Mon, 22 May 2006 18:10:56 CDT

Wow, check out the gorgeous handmade Ukeleles at Kerry Char Ukeleles.

The Bounty Music Hawaii Ukelele Guide seems to have tons of good information as well if you are shopping, as does the huge Ukelele World.

History of Ukuleles

Tamara — Mon, 22 May 2006 17:58:26 CDT

I love this site!
I found a great article on how Ukeleles got their name (I mean, c'mon, you gotta wonder...it is quite an odd word, isn't it?)

One of the popular stories is that when the Hawaiians initial saw Portugese immigrants playing the instrument, they named it 'ukelele,' which translates to 'jumping flea,' because of how fast the players' fingers moved across the strings.

I also found this very cool photo at the site for a store called Littmans, Inc., in Norfolk, VA. They still sell silver and jewelry--but look at this photo from 1923:

Notice the ukeleles hanging on the wall! They must have bee pretty popular in Norfolk to warrant all this space in the store.

Ukulele Music

Jreindorp — Mon, 15 May 2006 22:19:57 CDT

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