The growing popularity of ukuleles; one of the best success stories for music in the last few years. But from whence did the instrument come? Why has the demand for them outstripped their production? Why do people love playing them?
An adaptation of traditional Portuguese instruments, the ukulele was first made in Hawaii in the 1880s by Manuel Nunes, Jose do Espirito Santo, and Augusto Dias. The name ukulele roughly translates as "the gift that came here, " according to Hawaiian Queen Lili'uokalani. Their fame spread after the Panama Pacific International Exposition held in San Francisco in 1915. The sound was taken up by song writers of the day and spread across the world.
In the years following World War II, ukuleles became little more than toys. Shoddy, mass produced instruments were popular with kids for awhile. And due to entertainers like Tiny Tim and George Formby, they were a cheap joke.
But the ukulele's salvation was to come through its cheap nature. As recession and inflation rear their ugly heads, people have flocked to the ukulele as an alternative to costlier instruments. Also to its benefit is the ease and speed with which you can learn to play it.
Several sources list Paul McCartney's playing of the ukulele at the George Harrison memorial for the resurgence of the instrument's fortune. But he is not the only famous musician to sport one these days. Both Eddie Vedder and Amanda Palmer have put out ukulele based albums recently, Palmer's consisting entirely of Radiohead covers. Stephen Merritt of Gothic Archies and Magnetic Fields fame often uses the ukulele in his albums. The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain has been playing to sold out crowds for years, even playing in the BBC Proms last year. And Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's overplayed cover of 'Over the Rainbow" is as responsible as anything for drawing attention back to the instrument.
The most successful sign for ukuleles, however, is on YouTube. There are almost eighty five thousand videos on there. They vary from how to instructional videos, to original indie songs, to covers played by teenyboppers in their bedrooms and going from official high quality dvd style releases to the blurriest video you could think of. But what they all share is a deep seated affection for the instrument.
To sum up simply, the reason why the ukulele is so popular is because it is fun. As one plays, they can't help smiling. Easy to learn, but never ceasing to be entertaining for musician and listener alike.
An adaptation of traditional Portuguese instruments, the ukulele was first made in Hawaii in the 1880s by Manuel Nunes, Jose do Espirito Santo, and Augusto Dias. The name ukulele roughly translates as "the gift that came here, " according to Hawaiian Queen Lili'uokalani. Their fame spread after the Panama Pacific International Exposition held in San Francisco in 1915. The sound was taken up by song writers of the day and spread across the world.
In the years following World War II, ukuleles became little more than toys. Shoddy, mass produced instruments were popular with kids for awhile. And due to entertainers like Tiny Tim and George Formby, they were a cheap joke.
But the ukulele's salvation was to come through its cheap nature. As recession and inflation rear their ugly heads, people have flocked to the ukulele as an alternative to costlier instruments. Also to its benefit is the ease and speed with which you can learn to play it.
Several sources list Paul McCartney's playing of the ukulele at the George Harrison memorial for the resurgence of the instrument's fortune. But he is not the only famous musician to sport one these days. Both Eddie Vedder and Amanda Palmer have put out ukulele based albums recently, Palmer's consisting entirely of Radiohead covers. Stephen Merritt of Gothic Archies and Magnetic Fields fame often uses the ukulele in his albums. The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain has been playing to sold out crowds for years, even playing in the BBC Proms last year. And Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's overplayed cover of 'Over the Rainbow" is as responsible as anything for drawing attention back to the instrument.
The most successful sign for ukuleles, however, is on YouTube. There are almost eighty five thousand videos on there. They vary from how to instructional videos, to original indie songs, to covers played by teenyboppers in their bedrooms and going from official high quality dvd style releases to the blurriest video you could think of. But what they all share is a deep seated affection for the instrument.
To sum up simply, the reason why the ukulele is so popular is because it is fun. As one plays, they can't help smiling. Easy to learn, but never ceasing to be entertaining for musician and listener alike.
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Gain insight into growing popularity of Ukuleles. You can get more information about the lanikai tenor ukulele in our article on where to buy ukuleles online.
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