Mar 11
Why is the ukulele popular and other Guardian Questions
I got interviewed for a piece on the Guardian Music Blog recently. Only two sentences made it into the final piece. So, rather than let it go to waste, I’ve stuck it up here.
What is it you love about the ukulele?
I love how the ukulele forces you to be creative. It’s very restricted when it comes to range, so you have to be more inventive with rhythm and harmony.
And it’s a very handy instrument. You can carry it and play it anywhere.
Have you seen its popularity growing recently? If so, why do you think that is?
It’s grown massively in the last twelve months or so. It seems to be everywhere at the moment. There are ukulele clubs springing up all over the country. It’s been used by acts from Portishead to Van Morrison to Florence and the Machine. Frank Skinner and Lee Evans both close their acts with a ukulele song. From my own experience, my website is getting four times the traffic it was getting this time last year.
I think there are two main reasons behind it. The first is the internet. Niche interests spread much faster on the internet – so many more people are hearing the ukulele being played. Before the net it was hard to find learning materials for the ukulele, now there’s a wealth of information online.
The other reason is the availability. China has been pumping out playable, entry-level ukuleles by the boatload. They’re cheap enough for people to buy on a whim and it makes them a viable option for teaching in schools.
Do you think it can evoke all the emotion of a guitar, or do you find it a bit limiting ultimately?
Every instrument has its limitations. If you try to play the ukulele like a guitar, you will be limited.
It has a sound and feel of its own. When you play the ukulele on its own terms you’ll have ideas that you’d never have on any other instrument.
Do you have any particular favourite ukulele-based songs?
Loads. Here are a few that come to mind:
Rod Thomas’s Same Old Lines which was voted last year’s ukulele video of the year.
May 19th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
The good thing about the ukulele is that it lets you express yourself
June 8th, 2009 at 10:38 am
I think the attraction is the simplicity of the instrument. The soprano and concert sizes look like toys to most newcomers. And having only 4 strings makes them far less intimidating than almost any other instrument in the store except maybe the kazoos and tambourines. And for those unfamiliar with ukuleles the bar is set pretty low when it comes to the performance of these little guys. People who don’t consider themselves musically inclined will still pick up a ukulele. I got my first uke out of curiosity. It was an inexpensive soprano and more challenging than I expected because I was used to a guitar. I found a baritone uke a week later and fell in love. Like me, people are also pleasantly surprised to discover the sophisticated musical possibilities ukuleles present. I now have an acoustic/electric baritone, and not only does it sound great when I’m playing solo, it sounds incredible when accompanied by a guitar and other instruments. I’ve been playing for about 5 years and still making new musical discoveries. I got a tenor a couple of weeks ago. What an adventure!
July 20th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Ukes are happy instruments. Most people may not be aware that back in prehistoric times the Uke was originally a salad strainer. It was only after many frustrating attempts to reach inside the sound hole and remove the small pieces of arugula, spinach and red leaf that someone suggested the strumming and picking thing. The rest is history. Thanks very much for the great site and for celebrating the UKE! Best, Heinous and Wonkles, aka The Stretchlinks.