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Learn about the ukulele, a stringed instrument of Portuguese origin and Hawaiian popularity. Discover its history, types, tuning, related instruments, and global influence.
- Jake Shimabukuro
Jake Shimabukuro (born November 3, 1976) is a ukulele...
- Machete
Machete; Classification: String instrument (plucked, nylon...
- List of Ukulele Players
This is a list of ukulele players. These musicians and bands...
- Jake Shimabukuro
Learn about the ukulele, a musical instrument with four strings that originated in Hawaii from Portuguese influences. Find out the different sizes, tunings and types of ukuleles, and see media examples.
- Ukulele History Timeline
- Important Facts About The Ukulele
- The Ukulele Popularity
- Popular Ukulele Players
- Most Popular Ukulele Brands
- Conclusion
- GeneratedCaptionsTabForHeroSec
In 1874, Hawaii’s sugar industry was growing. However, the native population was decreasing because of disease. 25,000 migrant workers came from Portugal. Among these new arrivals were woodworkers Manuel Nunes, Augusto Dias and Jose do Espirito Santo. The Portuguese immigrants played the “machete de Braga“, which is what the ukulele was originally ...
1. George Harrison Helped the Ukulele Grow in Popularity
The Beatles helped music in dozens of ways. Both George Harrison and Paul McCartney are ukulele fans, but George was the most fanatical. He said that everyone should have a uke. Some people say that he had thousands in his collection by the time he died. On top of that, he used to give them to friends as gifts.
2. There Are Loads of Varieties of Ukuleles
As well as the four main sizes of ukulele, there are many other variations. As well as soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone, manufacturers are making interesting new styles. You can buy a guitar hybrid called a guitalele or a U-bass, a type of bass ukulele that has a deeper sound. Electric ukuleles and even plastic ukuleles are common, too.
3. Ukuleles Sell Like Hot Cakes
The instrument has had lots of surges in popularity. In the 1920s when the first “boom” happened, C.F. Martin sold as many ukes as guitars. Martin is one of the best-known manufacturers of guitars in the world. They still make ukuleles today. Because ukes are cheap, they are even more popular when the economy takes a turn for the worse.
In 2019, it is estimated that 1.6 million ukulelessold in the US alone. Why is the uke so popular today? One of the reasons is the price. You can pick up a good ukulele for $50-100. This is cheaper than a guitar. It means that people who don’t have a lot of money can make the investment. It also means parents are more likely to buy a ukulele for th...
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift is a global star with platinum albums. She has a history in country music, but also loves to playthe Ukulele. In concerts, she has even covered “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz. One of the most famous ukulele songs ever.
Eddie Vedder
The lead singer of Pearl Jam, Eddie Vedder also enjoys playing the uke. In 2011 he actually released an album of songs played on the instrument, inventively titled “Ukulele Songs”. Vedder can play many instruments but it looks like the uke has a place in his heart.
Elvis Presley
The King of Pop, Elvis Presley, loved the ukulele. He played the instrument in a lot of concerts during his career. The film “Blue Hawaii” shows Elvis playing the instrument. Elvis loved all things Hawaiian.
Martin and Co.
Martin and Co.is a prestigious brand. Many of their guitars and ukuleles are aimed at professionals. This is one of the oldest uku makers. They first released models of the instrument back in 1917 and recently celebrated 100 years of ukuleles. Martin instruments are too expensive for most beginners but they are great for recording and performing, offering handcrafted quality.
Kala
Kalais based about 30 miles north of San Francisco in Sonoma wine country. Their range of ukuleles is huge. There are models for beginners and professionals alike. Kala sells a lot of bundles which include tuners, bags, and other accessories. They started in 2005, so Kala doesn’t have as much history as some other brands. In that time, they have grown so much that they boast one of the biggest ranges of ukuleles on the market.
Luna
Lunaembraces the spirit of Hawaiian music. Their ukes are usually tattoo-inspired in design and they look incredible. They have a big range including all of the body styles and sizes.
Those Portuguese immigrants arriving at Honolulu harbor to work on sugar plantations had no idea what was to come. The ukulele had a huge impact on music and continues to sell millions to this day. What stemmed from the Hawaiian islands is now global. Further reading on the subject can be found at The Atlantic. “The Rise and Fall (and Rise) of the ...
Learn about the origin, evolution and popularity of the ukulele, a four-stringed instrument from Portugal. Discover facts, artists and variations of this musical instrument that dates back to the 1800s.
- Anna Rivera
Ukulele, (Hawaiian: “flea”), small guitar derived from the machada, or machete, a four-stringed guitar introduced into Hawaii by the Portuguese in the 1870s. It is seldom more than 24 inches (60 cm) long. The ukulele has been played in Europe and the United States as a jazz and solo instrument in.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
May 27, 2015 · Learn how the ukulele originated from a Portuguese instrument called the machête and was brought to Hawaii by Madeiran immigrants in the late 1800s. Discover the history, evolution, and culture of the uke through stories, photos, and profiles.
Aug 12, 2024 · A quick overview of the history of the ukulele. From Nunes to Shimabukuro, learn the events that made the uke into the instrument we know today.
People also ask
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What is the ukulele – a visual history?
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May 23, 2018 · The ukulele is a string instrument that originated in Portugal in the second century B.C. With a small, guitar-shaped body that is fitted with four strings, it is considered a member of the chordophone family.
