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My son wanted (and received) a Ukulele for his 14th birthday, instead of a video game this year. Tickled my heart when he asked for it  Ukulele's must be the "in" thing to own these days as a teenager? He has already learned how to play a couple of songs on it as well. There is hope for him yet ! lol Trax 
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You might want to turn him on to the Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain if he doesn't already know about them. There are some great videos on youtube. Also this classic medley by Israel "Iz" Kamakawiwo'ole.
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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Uke as well as glockenspiel are all the rage these days with the cutesy indie 'twee' bands that are on the college scene. It's charming music to my ear and I hope it continues in popularity.
If you doubt this, head to Noisetrade.com and/or bandcamp.com and look up the most downloaded bands or the bands that pay for noisetrade banner ads. Tons of them are using uke and bells these days.
-Scott
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The Uke, once very popular and then relegated to the history bin, is indeed enjoying a resurgence.
Popular recordings and movie soundtracks that featured some of Hawsii's greatest Uke maestros is responsible.
The younger generation, as with all younger generations, is attracted to the instrument, likely because it is NOT a typical instrument found in the father's and grandfather's (or mothers) instrument collections.
Good Thing IMO
--Mac
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In it's heyday, circa 1920s and 30s, the Uke was extremely popular among teens and young adults ala Rudy Valley. It's small size made it handy around the campfire and other outings. "Iz" Kamakawiwo'ole did much to rejuvenate it's popularity and many tourists to Hawaii brought one back home with them. I, for one, am very happy to see it's rebirth and I look forward to hearing many young Ukulele virtuosos in the near future. Here's Iz's version of Somewhere Over The Rainbow. Approaching 14 million views, it has to have piqued interest in the instrument and sold a lot of Ukes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_DKWlrA24k&ob=av2n Woah, it's over 68 million views on his "Official" site! That translates to more than a few Uke sales, me thinks.
Last edited by Don Gaynor; 05/05/12 07:32 AM.
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Many comercials are aired with ukelele background
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I started learning the Uke when I was seven, because my hands were too small for anything else. Over the years (about 55 of them) I've had many different guitars, but I've still got that same Uke. It's great to see it returning to popularity.
ROG.
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The pro pianist in our band is also a music teacher (piano & guitar). She mentioned that she had been playing a uke with some friends and she wanted to get one. So, we both got a tenor with low g strings. I had tried to learn guitar but my old man fingers wouldn't cooperate. However, I found the uke to be very user-friendly. My wife did too so she got one. I now have 3 different sizes. One (Flea) has a plastic body and fret board. I like sitting outside playing some simple song like Scarborough Fair with arpeggios. Very relaxing.
The uke is truly a folk instrument, IMO. There are hundreds of songs with just 3 simple chords (some only have 1) so with it anyone who wants to play music can start strumming. The cost is very reasonable. You can get a good beginner uke new for around $50. My most expensive uke cost $250 and it's solid mahogany with excellent resonance. So, it's really not difficult to get started with the uke and there are hundreds of free youtubes and websites with free music. At the other end of the spectrum there's Jake Shimabakuro who is one of the top virtuosos in the uke world. He has a bunch of youtubes that are incredible to watch.
Cornet Curmudgeon
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I'm in a similar boat to Rog.
A friend of ours from Hawaii gave my twin brother and I each a uke back in 1954. We played and sang many a duet before graduating to guitars.
I've always credited Tiny Tim for "unpopularizing" the instrument to some degree.
As an aside, the small uke that I still have is tuned A-D-F#-B, the typical "my dog has fleas" tuning. BIAB doesn't show this tuning, or at least I can't get the guitar window to show anything but the G-C-E-A tuning.
Is there a way to change that, or is it something for the wish list?
Thanks!
LLOYD S
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Quote:
As an aside, the small uke that I still have is tuned A-D-F#-B, the typical "my dog has fleas" tuning. BIAB doesn't show this tuning, or at least I can't get the guitar window to show anything but the G-C-E-A tuning.
Is there a way to change that, or is it something for the wish list?
Thanks!
LLOYD S
The BIAB fretboard Settings, when set to Ukelele, does indeed have the "My Dog Has Fleas" standard Uke tuning, however it is down one step from yours, G-C-E-A.
So chord fingerings would be the same, but it would be necessary to invoke Transpose such that BB was sounding two half steps up and then things should match.
--Mac
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I would have like to learn the uke but my hands are too big! I had to go the other way to get to the guitar - via the bass  George Formby
Follow That Dream Sam Karaoke King -------------------- Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
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It is amazing how the human can take something and turn it into a work of art. If you have never heard of Jake Shimabukuro give the youtube below a listen, and some of his others. No flies on this young man! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snPQ1z5FoqQI will be in Hawaii in a weeks time so I hope to catch a few players similiar to him. DennisD
There are only 3 kinds of musicians: those that can count, and those that can't!
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A friend of mine just came back from Hawaii. He was excited that his uke was coming this week. He turned me on to Jake too. While My Guitar Gently Weeps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gaWuadgL3g&feature=related
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Thanks for the videos :-) he can tune his Uke with an app on the wife's iphone. Just ask Siri, lol His fingertips are sore from playing it so much, which is a good thing I told him he needs to build up some callous' and his fingers won't hurt as much. I was happy that he chose an instrument over a video game for his birthday wish. I believe he will stick with it and learn how to play it correctly. It came with a chord diagram and I told him to learn the C,F & G chords first  That way, he will be able to play just about any song ever written. I am off to view the videos now. Thanks again for responding and posting them. I appreciate it ! Trax
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This is the one we got for him, btw. Trax
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Quote:
A friend of mine just came back from Hawaii. He was excited that his uke was coming this week. He turned me on to Jake too.
While My Guitar Gently Weeps:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gaWuadgL3g&feature=related
My fav Uke video so far. That kid is an amazing Uke'ist Wow, he makes that thing sing !!! Thanks for the video.
Trax
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Concert is a good size and Lanikai is a decent brand. Here's a great site for free songs w/chord charts included: http://doctoruke.com/songs.htmlHere's a great learning site: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYYCChmhEfk&feature=relatedSorry, I forgot to mention that the renewed interest in the uke has started ukulele clubs all over the world. Many communities have them including mine. Folks just get together to share and play. Some even do performances and play at public venues. Stan
Last edited by Shastastan; 05/06/12 12:11 PM.
Cornet Curmudgeon
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Thanks Shastastan, those are perfect for him. It even has a tuning guide that will help him as well. Thanks again for those links Trax
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By the way...it's pronounced Ook-a-lay-lee!
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