

The `Ukulele

Light weight, affordable, portable, four fingers, four string sand the new social instrument for this millennium and here to stay this go around.

A `Ukulele is:

  • Light Weight, Affordable and Portable
  • Easy on the Fingers ( Four Strings, Four Fingers )
  • Less Need for Strumming Accuracy
  • and a low level of expectation - so we can get away with a lot.
four ukes

And where else in the musical world can you go, sing poorly, play simply and have a blast with your peers.

The music you play can be as simple or complex as you want. The ukulele is a powerful musical instrument for communication in its own right. And, did I mention it's a blast and lot of fun to play and explore.


You'll not find a more accepting and helpful group of people that your local ukulele gathering. You'll make life long friends and have a great time.

So what's stopping you? Go get Yourself a `Ukulele and get going.

The Ukulele History



Here is a link to a great article, with a lot more information on the History of the `Ukulele by Dagan B.

( from WikipediA ) - best known of several similarly named ships, the Ravenscrag (spelled without the "i") is a British sailing vessel commanded by Capt. Biggam that on 23 August 1879 brought 419 Portuguese immigrants from the Madeira Islands to the Hawaiian Islands to work as contract laborers in the sugarcane plantations. The ship left the Madeiran port of Funchal on 23 April 1879 and took exactly four months to cross the Atlantic Ocean, round Cape Horn, and then sail across the Pacific to Honolulu, Hawaii. Among the passengers were Manuel Nunes, Augusto Dias, Jose do Espirito Santo, and Joao Fernandes, who are credited with introducing the ukulele to Hawaii. This was the second ship of Portuguese immigrants to reach the Islands, having been preceded on 30 September 1878 by the German bark SS Priscilla.

The Ukulele Timeline


Virtuoso musicians such as Jake Shimabukuro and James Hill are altering traditional perceptions of ukulele music. As well as singer / songwriters such as Victoria Vox touring the world.

The third wave of the ukulele corresponding the influence of YouTube and the Internet.

Check out all the famous people and musicians associated with the ukulele on the Ukulele Musicians Page .


Weekly TV host Arthur Godfrey keeps ukuleles in the spotlight.

A shift from the popularity of radio to most households have access to a TV and the second wave of the ukulele craze.

Arthur Godfrey


Ukulele craze revived by the solders and sailor returning home from South Pacific after World War II.

Times Square Kiss WWII


After the Panama Pacific International Exposition Ukuleles all the rage. This corresponds to the popularity and availability of radio in the decade of the 20s to 40s. The First truely fast way of disminating news, entertainment, and information to a mass audience. This was a big shift in the technology for communication around the world.

Family Watching Radio



Pacific International Exposition



Should You Study Music With A Teacher or Should You "Wing" It On You Own?

This question always comes up in this type of discussion about music.

An objective assessment of the two alternative approaches leads me (Chuck Anderson) invariably towards the formal route. Why? Because without guidance, there is a tendency to go in circles, What do you practice, when do you move to the next topic? When are you doing something wrong? How do you practice what doesn't exist to you? - Chuck Anderson

Here are links to some great resources on Learning Ukulele with Curt for answering the questions to "What Do I Study?" when going it alone or with a teacher.

Common Ukulele Sizes

The ukulele comes in four (4) common sizes: Soprano (sometimes called Standard), Concert, Tenor and Baritone.


The Baritone ukulele is tuned (D G B E), just like the thin 4 strings of a standard guitar. This is called "G" Tuning. String can be a low D or a high G.

The Soprano, Concert and Tenor ukuleles typically uses "C" Tuning G C E A or "D" tuning (A D F# B). The Tenor can also be tuned like the Baritone ukulele, typically with a high "G".



Simulating Various Ukulele Scale Lengths


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