Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?

Subject: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: Acorn4
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 05:15 AM

In the past, they've been used mainly for backing comedy songs, but nowadays you can observe huddles of menopausal men in intense discussions about the merits of their instruments as if they were discussing attractive women or their Taylor or Martin guitars.

But are ukeleles just dumbed down "bonsai" guitars?

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: Acorn4
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 05:18 AM

...Someone convince me!!

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: Will Fly
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 05:22 AM

What a daft question. :-)

Everyone knows that the uke is THE instrument of choice - for some poeple... Just listen to The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain playing the "Dambusters March" - best version ever.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 05:24 AM

Well, the at the High Brooms Tavern (Tunbridge Wells, Kent, UK) 4th Thursday singaround we normally get around 15 performers and maybe another dozen people there just to listen.

At the alternate Monday acoustic jam sessions theres usually 6-7 people playing.

At the alternate Monday ukulele nights they regularly get 40-50 people actually playing!!!

So on popularity alone it seems they should be taken seriously. I suspect that landlord Roy would happily replace the alternate Monday acoustic jams with additioal uke nights :-)

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 05:26 AM

@ Will: Not to mention what they do with "Smells Like Teen Spirit", "You Don't Bring Me flowers", etc.

Brilliant stuff.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: Mo the caller
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 05:38 AM

How did it start getting popular. I know everyone practised for the proms, were they learning before that?
Why don't they bring the ukes to the acoustic jam? Someone should swap lists of 'frequently played tunes' with them. (all 50 might unbalance your sound though)

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: GUEST,SteveT
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 05:52 AM

Are you gathering notes for one of your songs Dave? I sense a "Melodeons are coming" gestating.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: johnadams
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 06:01 AM

Most people in my circle have already acknowledged the ukele virtuosity of Jake Shimabukuro

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 06:02 AM

Mo: It started before the Proms. I think after the Ukulele Orchestra of GB had played locally a couple of times. A local uke player asked the landlord if he could host a uke night, advertised it and was as surprised as anyone when 50 people turned up.

I think there's a bit of a Zeitgeist for it, which the Proms followed, rather than led...local music shops started displaying ukes prominently about a year ago, together with "uke songbooks" containing a lot of classic rock and pop standards with uke chord notations. The "diddley" sessions and acoustic jams are mainly attended by "mature" people whereas the uke sessions are predominantly under 40s, with many under 30s.

We've had a couple of the uke players attend the Thursday "diddley" sessions recently...one has graduated to banjo!!!

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: Acorn4
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 06:30 AM

"one has graduated to banjo!!!"

This is a phrase I never thought I'd live to hear!

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 06:32 AM

Brisbane Ukulele Musicians Society has created quite a bit of interest, TV appearances, etc.

Brisbane Ukulele Musicians Society (B.U.M.S.) is a casual gathering of ukulele players, from beginners to advanced to people who just appreciate the joy of uke! We meet at 7pm on the first Wednesday of each month for a casual jam session, skills sharing and musical fun.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: evansakes
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 06:35 AM

I've always taken them seriously...and after nearly forty years of playing stringed instruments I finally bought one a couple of years back. Don't know why it took me so long...

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 06:41 AM

That Jake chappie is astonishing. And anyway, all instruments should be taken seriously, as long as they are in skilled hands. I've heard some amazing Bodhran players, and Rob Murch on banjo is brilliant. It's just that anyone can pick up something thats easy to hit or strum. They don't practice, and just go out and play badly. With trumpet or fiddle, or clarinet, you actually have to practice first. So, yes, in the right hands Ukes are a definitely serious instrument.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: jumbledjim
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 06:53 AM

Each to their own....seems as worthy as grown men prancing around, wearing bells and knocking hell out of each other with sticks :)

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: SteveMansfield
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 06:54 AM

In the past, they've been used mainly for backing comedy songs, but nowadays you can observe huddles of menopausal men in intense discussions about the merits of their instruments as if they were discussing attractive women or their Taylor or Martin guitars.

You've answered your own question right there.

A certain mindset seems to have a desperate need to create a hierarchy of instruments, whereby certain instruments are 'lesser instruments' or 'less worthy of being taken seriously'. It happens right across the spectrum, with Martin or Taylor guitar-owners looking down their noses at people who play Yamahas, and people sneering at ukeleles and recorders and harmonicas and other instruments they regard as 'entry level' (another way of saying 'not as complicated, and therefore valuable, as the instrument I play').

No doubt there's a certain class of guitarist who looks down their noses at people who play Martin guitars, or maybe Martin guitars made after a certain date, or who put certain brands of strings on their Martin guitars. Some Uillean pipers look down on flautists and whistle-players, some flautists look down on low whistle players, some anglo concertina players look down on English concertina players, and just about everyone looks down on bodhran owners.

What gets lost in all this sad little snobbery is the actual music.

Every instrument has its virtuosos and its duffers, and bands like The Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain and Penguin Cafe demonstrate what can be done with a uke in the right hands. It'll be interesting to see what happens to attitudes to ukeleles and balalaikas now they're being used as first instruments in school music teaching, because the sound of 7-year-olds blowing as hard as they can down a cheaply-made recorder has certainly dealt that instrument a severe blow in terms of reputation.

So yes, the uke is a serious instrument - but it's cheaper to purchase and more portable than a church organ, so you tend to find more people playing them inexpertly.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: evansakes
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 07:05 AM

You don't need an orchestra....one on it's own is just fine

I don't see anyone not taking the uke seriously in this video...

Aint She Sweet

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 07:13 AM

sfmans.
My point exactly. Just introducing a child to music at an early age is a wonderful thing to do. (However painful it might be at the start) And admit it you're not going to give an expensive instrument to a 7 year old. But, I remember hearing Andy Cutting starting out on melodeon (12/13?)...He hasn't done so badly has he?
My first live musical experience was Dad playing the piano at home when I was a kid. Never took it up, but was fascinated by it.
The Ukelele seems admirably suited for kids, who can pretend to be guitarists and still reach the frets. Whats wrong with that?

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: Bounty Hound
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 07:35 AM

You should take ANY instrument seriously if it is in the hands of someone who knows what to do with it! (Even the banjo!)

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: Hamish
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 07:45 AM

Yes.

Berkhamsted Ukulele Random Players are at Bartin-le-Clay tonight: see separate thread for details http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=119365.

And there's a short video of a recent gig on YouTube

As for recorders: they're serious, too. I love it that both of my daughters who play oboe and French horn to a high standard both still play and gig with recorders.

And don;t confuse "serious" with "no fun". Many things can be both.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 07:57 AM

Hamish....Exactly!
Music should be fun, particularly for children...
Blimey....I tried French Horn for days! Didn't get on with it at all!

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 08:33 AM

Most high-end guitar makers have introduced ukes into their product lines. Willingness to part with a month's salary to own a uke from a boutique luthier must mean somebody is taking them seriously.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: Acorn4
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 09:13 AM

Steve T,

In answer to your question,it's already done.

I've got a pink "flying-vee" ukelele, which I intend to paint "this machine kills" on, and have already written a song for it.

It was someone trying to have a serious discussion with me about it that prompted this thread!

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: Chris in Portland
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 09:53 AM

Here is the Northwest we are fighting the Coming Ice Age with Ukeleles.
Kate and Steve are leading the way - UKALALIENS
The Gorge Uke Fest is this weekend - Gorge Uke Fest
No fleas on our dogs!
Chris

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: Steve Hunt
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 10:03 AM

Ukuleles are everywhere, and have been for a few years. Here's Misty Miller who some of your kids are probably listening to on wunnerful Radio One, right now.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: Valmai Goodyear
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 10:13 AM

On 19th. February we had an all-day ukulele workshop with Clive Harvey (Roaring Jelly) at the Lewes Saturday Folk Club. We sold 17 out of a maximum 20 places and most of the people who came were new to folk clubs.

I think it's terrific that people are buying ukes and getting together to fling themselves fearlessly on all sorts of deeply improbable tunes, from Hall Of The Mountain King to Bohemian Rhapsody, for the fun and above all the social nature of it. Not only is it fun, but in the long term some good, lasting music is likely to come out of the ferment.

The cheapness and availablity of ukes, reliable chromatic tuners - there's an on-line tuner too, I believe - and software which makes it possible to email dots, tab and midis all contribute to the boom.

Valmai (Lewes)

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 10:49 AM

Steve Hunt, thanks for the link. She's wonderful!

We've always had ukes in our family. Love them.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: Mr Red
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 10:51 AM

How many Ukes does it take to play a tune?
The more the merrier. Safety in numbers.

Try saying that about banjos!

(Other instruments are available, the quality of the jokes can go up as well as down)

Mr Red (hiding behind his bodhran)

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: olddude
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 10:53 AM

Anyone that doesn't think so, have a listen to brother izzy doing
over the rainbow .. then say it is not real

Izzy

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 10:55 AM

Lidl here had very serviceable ones here last year. Almost bought but just stopped myself.spend more time practicing my guitar and harmonica instead. I like a mix of instruments not mapped ukes guitars or anything else.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 10:56 AM

Nice instrument in its own right though

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: Sir Roger de Beverley
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 12:06 PM

Apparently George Harrison used to carry two around - one for himself and another for whoever he was visiting so that they could work stuff out together.

At the Concert for George the last number of the night was "I'll See You In My Dreams" led by Joe Brown on Ukelele - not a dry eye in my house.

R

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: GUEST,Phil B
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 12:56 PM

My first instrument (aged 6). If I'm still gigging at 70 I'll be doing it with a bicycle and a couple of ukes!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dURaTdV95VU

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: Ernest
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 02:20 PM

I remember a "session" where only guitars turned up - really awful having umpteen people strumming the same chords....

On the other hand everybody seems to be pleased with massed ukes (not only when it is the UOoGB).

So the ukulele must be in fact superior to the guitar.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: Acorn4
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 02:24 PM

A true "Wall of Sound" - a wonder Phil Spector didn't discover them.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 02:41 PM

Can't just be the Proms, because they're getting to be all the rage in the U.S., too. There are lots being made, lots in the shops, and I've seen people buying 'em; as it happens, I haven't actually been at a jam with a new player, but that's probably just because I've not been at enough jams. Something must have been percolating before Jake Shimabukuro, but he sure helped!

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: Mark Ross
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 02:55 PM

Will Rogers said, "When you see somebody holding a ukelele, it's hard to tell whether they're really playing it, or just fooling around."

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: GUEST,Grishka
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 03:52 PM

Ernest (23 Feb 11 - 02:20 PM) et al, the UOoGB have instruments of different sizes and tunings, down to something quite resembling an acoustic bass guitar. More to the point: they double as singers and comedians, thus reinforcing the cliché rather than contradicting it.

As an ensemble instrument (in western Europe) the uke competes with the mandolin, and although I believe the former to be an instrument in its own right, the mando just has a lot more sound in it (her), due to its (her) more elaborate (and expensive) design.

For strumming kids the uke is just great. Search "ukulele boy" on YouTube for a specimen of the many "prodigies" who – somewhat rarer – visibly enjoys music.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: tritoneman
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 04:13 PM

At the age of 9 I was given a banjo-uke and spent endless hours trying to copy George Formby's fast syncopated rhythm but later 'moved on' to guitar. In recent years I've been watching players on Utube and saw the Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain and began to see the possibilties, which I'm now exploring on my new uke.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: michaelr
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 06:46 PM

I bought a uke for my grandson who is not taking it seriously. Therefore I'm tempted to learn to play it myself.

How is it tuned?

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: Surreysinger
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 07:59 PM

Michaelr ... you could try the various links on the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain's website here.

And while I'm at it, Jake Shimabukuro has already been mentioned, but here's a much longer selection of his stuff (including While My Guitar Gently Weeps and Ave Maria amongst other things) recorded for a TED talk in Tokyo last year This shows what can be done with the instrument.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: Bernard
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 07:59 PM

Traditionally, 'My Dog Has Fleas'...!!

A D F# B is one standard - the A is high...

T
R------------------
E
B------------------
L
E---------------O--
   O
C------------------
L         #O
E------------------
F      O

...My Dog Has Fleas!

Ukulele means 'Jumping Flea', or something like that.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 08:35 PM

Try Here !

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: GUEST,murrbob
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 09:04 PM

And let's not assume that instrumental backing in folk/popular music is confined to "The West." I'm currently being forced to spend time on The Big Island of Hawaii; the uke is a beautiful part of the folk culture here, and extends far beyond the Don Ho-type of music. Many evenings I go to folk clubs where the uke is played by young and old alike; a beauiful experience.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: michaelr
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 10:28 PM

My dog has fleas??????

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukeleles Seriously?
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 11:30 PM

In Ri, we take ukuleles seriously enough to have the International Ukulele Hall of Fame Museum in Cranston. You can read about it in the fifth paragraph in this article: http://www.essortment.com/destination-attractions-things-rhode-island-33959.html . The best ukulele player I've heard in person is Pete Kennedy. He switches from guitar to uke and plays George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue about 2 minutes into this clip. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV2LoLVqez4 I'm one of Pete and Maura Kennedy's fans.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: Ernest
Date: 24 Feb 11 - 02:00 AM

(High)G C E A seems to be used more than ADF#B from what I see on the net.

@Guest Grishka: Yes, the UOoGB do seem to use various sizes and tunings (sat in the first row of one of their concerts once) but this is just the case with other players (over here the flat tenor model by Kala seems to be popular), but the UOoGB insits that the big thing is a bass ukulele because it has four strings like a uke while guitars have six strings...;0)

Now the aforementioned Kala company introduced a real bass ukulele (bariton size with fat plastic strings - sounds like a double bass when played amplified)

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: michaelr
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 08:26 PM

Really, what does "my dog has fleas" mean?

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 11:59 PM

If you go to the Brisbane Ukulele Musicians Society (B.U.M.S.) site I mentioned above, you will find links to many other Aussie uke groups all around Australia; also some links to Youtube clips appear regularly on their related Facebook page.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: SteveMansfield
Date: 26 Feb 11 - 10:28 AM

Really, what does "my dog has fleas" mean?

If you sing it to the right notes it's supposedly an easy way of remembering how the uke is tuned.

Sing the wrong notes, of course, and you end up with a badly-tuned uke ... so I'm not really sure how reliable that is as a method compared to, say, a Korg chromatic ...

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: GUEST,Grishka
Date: 26 Feb 11 - 02:09 PM

"My dog has fleas" must have been a song starting with those notes and words. People guess it's from the 1920s, but the earliest document I know is this film "Honolulu" of 1939, which precisely depicts the image of the instrument at that time. "Pearl Harbor" seemed far, far away.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: Mooh
Date: 26 Feb 11 - 02:34 PM

Yes. I just bought another. Kala soprano model KAKS. Lovely little thing, though the factory strings didn't impress me. Also have a Mahalo baritone. Generally I treat them like guitars, ie Little Wing, House Of The Rising Sun, 12 bar blues, folk songs, and for fun.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: Stringsinger
Date: 26 Feb 11 - 05:02 PM

I think that we make a huge mistake by taking anything of a musical nature too seriously.
There is always room for lightness and fun. Even classical musicians who are playing so-called "serious" music are having fun. "Music is my toy." said Duke Ellington.

That doesn't mean there can't be serious content in song lyrics or in a concert presentation
but too much snobbishness occurs among "amateur" musicians who don't understand that music is for everyone, not just an elite few.

It also means that certain music commands respect for its value.

The ukes are part of a tradition that extend from Portugal to Hawaii and is of course
a cultural staple of Hawaiian music which is quite lovely.

Lighten up about the uke. It's fun, musical, and pretty with a rich lovely history.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: PHJim
Date: 26 Feb 11 - 08:21 PM

Check out Roy Smeck, Bob Brozman, Manitoba Hal, James Hill, Jake Shumbukuro, Ernest Ka'ai, George Harrison...

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: PHJim
Date: 26 Feb 11 - 08:38 PM

...or Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: GUEST,Grishka
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 06:38 AM

Stringsinger, I think that we make a huge mistake when thinking fun and seriosity to be mutually-exclusive contrastives.

The "seriosity" of an instrument can be defined by various criteria. One definition is "optimised for sound (according to present-day aesthetics) and virtuosic technique in all keys" - many folk instruments fail this. A second criterion is "historically accurate for the music played". The third criterion: "representing a culturally significant tradition", actually provides a degree of seriosity proportional to that significance.

Needless to say that there is hardly any non-serious instrument. The cheap chirpy plastic strings have created their own culture, like tin whistles and cheap cameras.

The fiddle/violin is considered the flagship of seriosity, particularly among folk instruments. Note however that Stradivari would hardly recognise the sound his instruments produce today, because they have been altered considerably.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: GUEST,Desi C
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 12:07 PM

I think we should take the Uke just as serious as other instruments like the Tambourine, maraccas, ochorinos, cymbals, and Spoons, and shove em all up the behinds of those stupid enough to play them!

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: GUEST,Grishka
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 02:45 PM

That's another question: should we encourage anyone with serious ambitions to study the uke? Answer: well, uhum, if she/he is deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture, she/he won't wait for our encouragement; "serious" comedians and genre musicians have been mentioned before; in all other cases: no.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: PHJim
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 06:06 PM

Hey GUEST,Desi C, Play this on the the tambourine, maraccas, ochorinos, cymbals, and spoons.

Jake plays Bohemian Rhapsody

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: PHJim
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 06:12 PM

...or this- Manitoba Hal

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: PHJim
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 06:17 PM

...not a very good example of Bob's playing but Bob Brozman

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: PHJim
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 06:25 PM

Here's a bit of James Hill: James Hill

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: leeneia
Date: 14 Apr 11 - 03:38 PM

Does something have to be serious to be good?

Take "the Flight of the Bumble Bee" Is it serious? No. Is it good? Yes.

I maintain the same is true of Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony. It is not serious, but it's good.
==========
In the case of a ukelele, what does serious mean? It means that it's worth money. A fine violin is serious and therefore good, because we are impressed by the money.

A ukelele has just as many strings, but it's not serious and not good, because it's not connected with money in our minds.

Pfui.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: GUEST,Felipa
Date: 27 Feb 21 - 08:52 AM

Matt Argo playing The Entertainer

Maleguena: Aldeine Guerrero
Jose Nguyen

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: Donuel
Date: 27 Feb 21 - 06:29 PM

I have 4 ukes that cost 39 dollars to hundreds of dollars.
The cheapest is the best made by Mitchell.
As a begginer it is hard to match the artistry of Jake or others but I have found a niche by using steel strings and taking an acoustic cello approach to the instrument.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: JennieG
Date: 27 Feb 21 - 06:30 PM

Here's a nice little tune on a couple of ukes......

Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: GerryM
Date: 27 Feb 21 - 09:09 PM

Amanda Palmer plays & sings The Ukulele Anthem (while tied by toilet paper to the Sydney Opera House): https://youtu.be/njDQsQpFIqA

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 28 Feb 21 - 06:16 AM

They didn't take Hitler seriously enough....

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: GUEST,Bossmack
Date: 28 Feb 21 - 12:59 PM

Or Trump!

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Feb 21 - 04:20 PM

Any one who thinks a uke is not a serious musical instrument deserves to have one shoved up their bum and asked to play Mozarts horn concerto in e flat.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 01 Mar 21 - 12:22 PM

its a bloody interesting question really. There are obviously some people for whom - a musical instrument is serious business. serious like World War One, or The Gettysburg address.

i think for me, its a trivial pursuit. not that i don't try hard. not that i don't spend more than I should on musical instruments, but I'm not keen on the idea of being 'a serious musician'. Its like some bloody silly woman saying at a children's party - "Oh the little chap is SO serious!" when what she means is the kid is a little po-faced twat.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
Date: 01 Mar 21 - 10:33 PM

OP: ...huddles of menopausal men in intense discussions about the merits of their instruments as if they were discussing attractive women or their Taylor or Martin guitars.

I'm imagining OP's reaction to the likes of Sarah Longfield covering Slayer's Payback (NSFW, parental advisory &c &c.)

Britni Paiva – Europa

Rob Scallon – War Ensemble

Ukulele Anthem (Amanda Palmer)
“Sid Vicious played a four-string fender bass guitar and couldn't sing
And everybody hated him except the ones who loved him
A ukulele has four strings, but sid did did not play ukulele
He did smack and probably killed his girlfriend nancy spungen
If only sid had had a ukulele, maybe he could have been happy
Maybe he would not have suffered such a sad end
He maybe would have not done all that heroin instead
He maybe would've sat around just singing nice songs to his girlfriend
So play your favorite cover song, especially if the words are wrong
'Cos even if your grades are bad, it doesn't mean you're failing
Do your homework with a fork
And eat your fruit loops in the dark
And bring your etch-a-sketch to work
And play your ukulele
Ukulele small and forceful
Brave and peaceful
You can play the ukulele too it is painfully simple
Play your ukulele badly, play your ukulele loudly
Ukulele banish evil
Ukulele save the people
Ukulele gleaming golden on the top of every steeple
Lizzie borden took an axe, and gave her father thirty whacks
Then gave her mother thirty-one, and left a tragic puzzle
If only they had given her an instrument, those puritans
Had lost the plot completely
See what happens when you muzzle
A person's creativity
And do not let them sing and scream
And nowadays it's worse 'cause kids have automatic handguns
It takes about an hour to learn how to play the ukulele
About same to teach someone to build a standard pipe bomb
You do the math
So play your favorite cover song, especially if the words are wrong
'Cos even if your grades are bad, it doesn't mean you're failing
Do your homework with a fork
And eat your fruit loops in the dark
And bring your flask of jack to work
And play your ukulele
Ukulele, thing of wonder
Ukulele, wand of thunder
You can play the ukulele, too
In london and down under
Play joan jett, and play jacques brel
And eminem and neutral milk hotel
The children crush the hatred
Play your ukulele naked
And if anybody tries to steal your ukulele, let them take it
Imagine there's no music, imagine there are no songs
Imagine that john lennon wasn't shot in front of his apartment
Imagine if john lennon had composed "imagine" on the ukulele
Maybe folks would have more clearly got the message
You may think my approach is simple-minded and naïve
Like if you want to save the world then why not quit and feed the hungry
But people for millennia have needed music to survive
And that's why i've promised john that i will not feel guilty
So play your favorite Beatles' song
And make the subway fall in love
They're only $19.95, that's not a lot of money
Play until the sun comes up
And play until your fingers suffer
Play LCD soundsystem songs on your ukulele
Quit the bitching on your blog
And stop pretending art is hard
Just limit yourself to three chords
And do not practice daily
You'll minimize some stranger's sadness
With a piece of wood and plastic
Holy fuck it's so fantastic, playing ukulele
Eat your homework with a fork
And do your fruit loops in the dark
Bring your etch-a-sketch to work
Your flask of jack
Your vibrator
Your fear of heights
Your nikon lens
Your mom and dad
Your disco stick
Your soundtrack from "karate kid"
Your ginsu knives
Your rosary
Your new rebecca black CD
Your favorite room
Your bowie knife
Your stuffed giraffe
Your new glass eye
Your sousaphone
Your breakfast tea
Your nick drake tapes
Your giving tree
Your ice cream truck
Your missing wife
Your will to live
Your urge to cry
Remember we're all going to die
So play your ukulele”

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: GUEST,Frank Hamilton
Date: 04 Mar 21 - 09:10 PM

The ukulele has an ability to play sophisticated chords with four voices (strings). They were
popular during the Twenties and Forties because they could accompany the popular music of that time. You can even play jazz changes on them.

Check out some of the more virtuoso players and you will be surprised at what the uke can
do. Hawaiian music has some tricky rhythms that can be played and some of the Hawaiian players are excellent.

Some of the Hawaiian uke makers produce instruments with sweet tones. Koa wood seems to be the best. I have a Kanele'a uke which has a great sound. The uke comes from a Portugese
instrument called the Braghina or Machete brought to the Island by Portugese sailors.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: vectis
Date: 04 Mar 21 - 10:47 PM

They are taken most seriously down here in New Zealand. Very popular too.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Mar 21 - 02:44 AM

like any instrument it deprnds how they are played. unfortunateley some players dont give the instrument respect, they think they do not need to practise, that they can hide in a large group.
its a four stringed instrument and has as just as much potential as any other four stringed instrument, such as banjo.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: Mo the caller
Date: 05 Mar 21 - 08:32 AM

We should take it as seriously as the player takes it.

But life is short, no-one has time to take everything they do 'seriously'. And there's a lot of enjoyment to be had in music at whatever level. Joining in.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Mar 21 - 03:01 PM

yes thats fair enough mo, but then they shouldnt mind if people criticise ukeleles or their effort. its true there's a lot of enjoyment to be had in music at whatever level. Joining in., but it may not be enjoyable for the people listening , practice perhaps should be done in private or playing with other people in the way you advocate should possibly be done in private.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: GUEST,Fyldeplayer
Date: 06 Mar 21 - 03:18 AM

I consider myself a fairly serious guitar/bouzouki player so when l got a tenor uke that was approached the same way. Chords are easy to work out but more interesting finger picking creates a harp quality - goes well with duet concertina. It’s also good fun across a number of song styles, get one soon. I also use exclusively for Dementia online singing sessions as it’s very clear sound and can be kept simple, great for strong singing.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: keberoxu
Date: 06 Mar 21 - 10:24 PM

I do love the sequence of the
Phil d'Conch post
followed by the invaluable Mudcatter,
Frank Hamilton.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: Gordon Jackson
Date: 07 Mar 21 - 10:16 AM

I don't think George would've got the Beatles job had he not played guitar as well ...

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: RTim
Date: 07 Mar 21 - 10:59 AM

Yes...See and hear here......
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsGtqH-YISQ


Tim Radford

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: The Sandman
Date: 10 Mar 21 - 10:32 AM

Yes when the player treats them seriously , no different from any other inastrument

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 13 Mar 21 - 07:57 AM

Perhaps the best thing for music is not be taken seriously.


i remember Billy Connolly being told by some sage that comedy was a serious business. he said, "Aye! It is for that bastard!

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: The Sandman
Date: 13 Mar 21 - 11:07 AM

then why bother to tune a guitar why bother to play percussion in time why bother to try and sing in tune

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 13 Mar 21 - 11:28 AM

didn't know you did Major!
Basil fawlty

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: The Sandman
Date: 13 Mar 21 - 03:15 PM

a bad workman blames his tools. anon

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: Elmore
Date: 15 Mar 21 - 09:28 PM

No, we shouldn't take the uke seriously, but I take allison young, who plays, "I wanna be loved by you" and several other songs, accompanying herself on ukulele very seriously. Many songs on You tube.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: Felipa
Date: 15 Mar 21 - 09:32 PM

TRITONEMAN - I read "at the age of 91" instead of "at the age of 9, I". I had to look back when I read that you later moved on to guitar.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: leeneia
Date: 16 Mar 21 - 10:07 AM

Why does everything have to be serious?

Remember when there were funny songs on the Top 40? Remember when there were TV shows where people sang, danced and told funny stories? Remember when families went for long rides in the car and sang songs on the way?

Why can't a person just play ukulele because it's enjoyable?

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: Felipa
Date: 16 Mar 21 - 10:14 AM

The standard tuning for soprano, concert and tenor ukeleles is g C E A. You can even find online tuners and instruction videos to help you tune the instrument.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 16 Mar 21 - 10:53 AM

Bloody hell! Getting in tune...whatever next!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kd1ZuBnuJek

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: The Sandman
Date: 16 Mar 21 - 05:52 PM

Why can't a person just play ukulele because it's enjoyable?
for most people progress on an instrument is part of the enjoyment to make progress of any sort, a little bit of effort and practice is needed[ this is what i interpret as taking seriously]. beyond that ..well there are degree of seriousness, i suppose, but how about just regular practice, checking tuning. I am not asking for virtuoso performance but just some respect for audiences
some may want to play for an hour a day some may want to play for ten minutes a day. even ten to 15 minutes a day will see improvement, in my experience as you improve it becomes more enjoyable
not taking it seriously means not bothering to practise and not bothering to pick it up and play it in private, not bothering to check your tuning etc.
well that is not enjoyable for listeners.
Personally. when i play i try to do my best i practise[ the amount can vary] and performances can vary [not just because of practice , but bio rhythms etc]
Finally, i would not find it enjoyable to be given any instrument and told to play it if i had never practised on it.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: Felipa
Date: 16 Mar 21 - 06:31 PM

My comments earlier today were replies to messages from michaelr and tritoneman on 23 Feb.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 17 Mar 21 - 08:33 AM

People play instruments for all sorts of reasons. run a folk club long enough and you will hear a great many, but probably not all of them.

I had a deaf bloke come one time - totally refused to let anyone tune his guitar - he regularly used to empty the place. (this was in the years before digital tuners). it was tough on my wife, who was disabled and couldn't get out the way.   And you looked such a brute if you attempted to wrest the instrument from him to tune it.

One uilean pipe player turned up with the pipes in the box he'd got them, still selotaped. We had his his very first attempt to play them.
As none of us knew how they should sound, it went down quite well!
Since taking up the uke, I've met some right buggers, some amazing uke players as well of course. I think you've got to be a bit philosophical about it. humanity (folks) is very diverse.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: The Og
Date: 17 Mar 21 - 09:36 AM

I started on a soprano ukulele in the 7th grade, graduated to baritone and on to guitar, banjo, bass, and mandolin. It's a great starter instrument for small hands...like a present for for a grandchild!

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 17 Mar 21 - 10:39 AM

I nearly became a bodhran player.
One night this group came and they had this amazing instrument - all the way from Ireland and made from a goatskin. you could see the colours the goat had been - all brown and white hairy bits.

I was going to send for one, like it. However my wife said it was cruel doing that to a goat. it would be like having a dead goat in the living room.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: Felipa
Date: 17 Mar 21 - 04:13 PM

If you play ukelele and take it seriously, you could be very interested in joining the Menucha Ukelele Band Camp online 7-9 April 2021. The programme will work on a Pacific timezone as Menucha is in Oregon U.S.A., but the organising team will "record the classes and make them available afterwards so you can revisit them. You'll be able to take ALL of the classes!" (there is a fee, of course)

Lots of detail at: https://menucha.org/programs/uke-band-camp

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: The Sandman
Date: 18 Mar 21 - 03:33 AM

playing a uke could be like having a dead george formby in the living room

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 18 Mar 21 - 09:32 AM

My ambition , when I started the uke last year was to go to Blackpool and meet all the George Formby fans. since Covid , of course - there haven't been any meetings.

I wasn't really good enough last year. I've lost a bit of impetus. my local teacher is very good but she doesn't really do the sort of stuff I'm interested in.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: The Sandman
Date: 18 Mar 21 - 01:58 PM

are there any formby videos and there should be sheet music of his stuff

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 18 Mar 21 - 02:22 PM

yes theres all that - of variable quality.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 03 Jun 21 - 06:23 PM

Ukulele - a history of Hawaii's national instrument
The Forum    BBC World Service 16 May 2021

Throughout its 130-year-old history, the ukulele has often been underrated – for many, this tiny four stringed instrument is a musical joke, a plastic toy or a cheap airport souvenir, but in fact, some of the world’s greatest musicians have played and admired it, and it has enduring associations with the struggle for Hawaiian independence since its arrival on the islands from Madeira in the late 19th century. The ukulele is also surprisingly versatile and musicians are forever involved in the challenge of expanding its repertoire, from Bach to ukulele concertos to jazz.

Joining Bridget Kendall to find out more about this deceptively humble instrument is
the award-winning musician Brittni Paiva, who’s been described as Hawaii’s pre-eminent ukulele artist; Jim Beloff, the co-founder of Flea Market Music, publishers of some of the first ukulele song books which played a key part in the modern ukulele revival, his forthcoming memoir is UKEtopia: Adventures in the Ukulele World; and Samantha Muir, a classical ukulele musician and composer, who’s doing a PHD at the University of Surrey in the UK to create new works for the classical ukulele repertoire."

Produced by Anne Khazam
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct1rl3

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 05 Jun 21 - 11:01 PM

I would venture to say that the ukulele is at a funny stage in England. Its a bit like the guitar was in the 1950's. There is instruction - but its very bad generally speaking.

The uke has yet to go through the Bert Weedon moment. Weedon, looking back though I would never have realised it at the time, was a teacher of genius - who somehow managed to convey the vastness of the subject simultaneously with the instant gratification of the two and three chord trick.

I've just spent a year doing nothing with the uke, because I just couldn't see a way forward.

Then suddenly the I understood the rhythmic possibilities inherent in that high top string. None of the videos on youtube had pointed this out. And this single revelation has given me a huge vista of possibilities.

Its such a basic point, and I wasn't picking it up.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: vectis
Date: 06 Jun 21 - 12:16 AM

If you drop the top G string an octave it becomes a much better accompanying instrument for tenors, baritones and basses.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 06 Jun 21 - 01:13 AM

Surprising subgenre: microtonal ukulele. There are several covers out there on the web of the Turkish mystical folksong by Asik Veysel, "Uzun Ince Bir Yoldayim" (I am on a long narrow road". Just takes one little added partial fret to make all the difference.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 06 Jun 21 - 02:07 AM

I disagree Vectis. Drop the string - it becomes an inferior guitar or bass guitar.

The high G 0r A is part of what it does - like the drone string on the G banjo.

Only it doesn't drone - what it does is make the up and down stroke two distinct chords that can be deployed in a variety of both fast and slow rhythmic patterns. With the lift offs - - it gives the player access to four chords

That's the essence of the instrument You can get these dazzling counterpoints. Like flamenco. Its a real folk instrument.

As far as I can see - the 'we must take music as a po-faced serious business' crowd have mercifully not twigged yet.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: The Sandman
Date: 06 Jun 21 - 03:44 AM

if you want to play any instrument well you need to practise, yes acuiring technique is a serious business when acquired it then gives pleasure to listenerswhat does that have to dowith being po faced . if you want to stand smiling and playing an out of tune instrument in a group go ahead but dont expect anyone to listen, if smiling and not being po faced is more important than playing music and giving pleasure through beautiful music then become a stand up comedian

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 06 Jun 21 - 05:03 AM

I suppose its all a matter of temperament.

I remember the first time I saw Derek Brimmstone. I loved many of the songs he sang, and the artists who sang them - Dylan, Broonzy, Jackson C. frank, Jeremy Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Reverend Gary Davis, etc.

However I was 18 years old. I thought him telling jokes and tall stories between songs was disrespectful to the material and the serious business of folk music. I wasn't impressed.

Itwas about six years later I was walking through
the streets of Tamworth and I saw a pub with a sign in the window - saying Brimstone was appearing there that very night.

Suddenly I understood that his approach had enabled him to sing great songs for a living - whilst I had been working at a shit job.

Later, when I got to know Brimstone well. I found out that Derek's way of going about his job was very serious and involved a lot of guts and hard work. And compared to the glum bum reading a ballad from an exercise book who regarded himself as the soul of the tradition, I think there was a a greater amount of determined earnestness in Brimmo's approach.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: The Sandman
Date: 06 Jun 21 - 06:25 AM

Derek practised hard so did martin carthy, that is partly why they were successful. if you dont put in effort at whatever kind of music you are letting yourself down .
i do not remeber any singers reading from exercise books , that is a feature of the uk folk revival that has occurred in the last 20 years. personally i thought Derek was amusing.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 06 Jun 21 - 08:43 AM

lets face it - its so long since we had regular folk clubs - I'm beginning to think I imagined them.

However I remember quite a lot of people at some of the folk clubs I went to, reading from books, loose leaf folders and recently they had the words on a tablet - with a little footswitch to turn the virtual page over.

Perhaps they don't do that in Ireland. Perhaps everybody knows the words over there.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: The Sandman
Date: 06 Jun 21 - 09:55 AM

no i am talking about the uk , and saying reading words at a folk club is a recent thing and involves people doing all sorts of material badly, it was unheard of in 1970.
why do you have to have a go at people who sang trad ballads, many of them practised as derek brimstone or martin carthy did

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 06 Jun 21 - 01:30 PM

I'm not sure I am having a go at traddies. I went to one club when a bloke read out the words of Crystal Chandeliers. 1970 is a fair while back. I was quite young then.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: The Sandman
Date: 06 Jun 21 - 01:42 PM

And compared to the glum bum reading a ballad from an exercise book who regarded himself as the soul of the tradition
that is a go at traddies

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 06 Jun 21 - 02:12 PM

Yes - and the playing of it if you are Hawaiian.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: The Sandman
Date: 06 Jun 21 - 02:55 PM

so WAV, are non Hawaiian allowed to play

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 06 Jun 21 - 03:18 PM

well its a sort of tradition in folk clubs. there's nowhere else you get that of toleration of amateurish ness. And fair enough....I suspect we've all been beneficiaries of it at the outset of our performing careers. The trouble is, some people acknowledge no imperative to improve - so they go on for years singing from loose leaf folders - after a bit John Denver gets to sound like the Dubliners, Cyril Tawney sounds like Bert Jansch.

I'd go as far as to say its traditional.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 06 Jun 21 - 04:21 PM

Loving our world/our United Nations being multicultural, Sandman, I'd rather, e.g., English play the cittern, Spanish the guitar, Greeks the bouzouki, Italians the mandolin, Russians the balalaika, etc.

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 07 Jun 21 - 06:38 AM

Here I am sittern
As I strum my cittern
Diego's on the the guitar
a bloke from Turin is on the mandolin
And the Irish are having a jar

Subject: RE: Should We Take Ukuleles Seriously?
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 Jun 21 - 12:33 PM

wav, does that entitle you to play the recorder. i like the idea of the didge only being played in australlia far away in australiais a good tune for it