Ukulele Information

The Ukulele History

In 1879, a Braguinha arrived in Hawaii on a Portuguese ship loaded with laborers destined for the sugar fields. Hawaiians made the instrument their own and calling it "ukulele" which translates to "jumping flea," It is believed to have originated because of the way a performer's fingers jump around on the strings.

The Ukulele Timeline

• 1879: Portuguese sailors introduce Hawaiians to small four-stringed instrument that gave rise to the ukulele.
• 1915: Panama Pacific International Exposition unveils ukulele to the world.
• 1920s: Ukuleles all the rage.
• 1940s: Ukulele craze revived by GIs returning home from South Pacific after World War II.
• 1950s: Weekly TV host Arthur Godfrey keeps ukuleles in the spotlight.

• Current: Virtuoso musicians such as Jake Shimabukuro and James Hill are altering traditional perceptions of ukulele music.

Baritone Ukulele

The baritone ukulele can be used as a small starter guitar. Easy on little tikes hands.

With more and more children wanting to start guitar at an earlier and earlier age the baritone ukulele, which is tuned just like a guitar's top (higher) four strings, is a great starter guitar.

5, 6, and 8 String Ukuleles

The most common number of strings are 4. By doubling any of the 4 strings, 5, 6 and 8 string variations are common. The Kanile’a 'Ukulele web site has a page of MP3 sound files titled Sound Files @ Kanile'a 'Ukulele. Check these out to here how quality Ukes are supposed to sound. Nothing like your cheaper Ukes in most music stores.

Ukulele prices range from a few dollars for cheap plastic toy ones up to a few thousand for custom built ukuleles using the best woods in the world. Everyone should have at least one ukulele.

More info:

• The Ukulele: Hawaii's Little Musical Giant

• How I Learned to Play the ‘Ukulele By John King

This is the best article that I have come across on the ukulele anywhere.

• Ukulele Hall of Fame Museum