Apparently the word ukulele means "jumping flea" (roughly translated) in the Hawaiian native language. Well, the party will be jumping at the Hance house. My new (my first) ukulele was just delivered!
Generally speaking (generally because there are lots of variants), the ukulele is a small four string guitar-type instrument. It comes in several different sizes, as well as a few different shapes, but if you imagine an 18-inch-long guitar with only four strings, you're pretty close.
I'm interested in the ukulele to accompany myself singing classics from the American Songbook – Porter, Gershwin, Arlen, etc. I kind of imagine Leon Redbone, but playing the ukulele instead of the guitar. Why? I don't know, really. Because I want to sing the songs, and not be like everyone else? Who needs guitar or piano? The uke is so portable!
Plus, I just heard William Macy accompany himself on the ukulele while playing for a promo of the movie "Wild Hogs" on the Oprah Winfrey show. Ah, the joys of YouTube … Check it out here:
The ukulele was developed in the late 19th Century by Portuguese immigrants to Hawaii. It was introduced to popularity on the U.S. mainland during the Pan-Pacific Exposition in 1915 San Francisco. The Hawaiian Pavilion featured a guitar and ukulele combo. Visitors loved the sound, and Tin Pan Alley songwriters began penning Hawaiian-themed tunes.
From the Jazz Age to the Arthur Godfrey Show to Tiny Tim tiptoeing through the tulips to pop bands like Noah and the Whale, the ukulele is cool. And I'm going to do my best to be cool with it. I just listened to a jazz version of "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning" on ukulele. Beautiful.
Coming soon to a town near you! Well, maybe not right away. Give me a chance to practice.
What a joy to find sonmeoe else who thinks this way.
Posted by: Tori | May 30, 2011 at 12:14 PM