The Arguments Behind The Growing Popularity Of Ukuleles In The Last Ten Years
Posted by Kay Stanford Jr Kastum at 1:50 AMOne of the best success stories in music in the last decade has been the growing popularity of ukuleles. By exploring the history of the instrument, the reasons behind the ukulele's resurgence in sales and repute becomes clear.
The first ukuleles were made in 1880s Hawaii as adaptations of Portuguese traditional instruments. The name translates to "the gift that came here, " said Queen Lili'uokalani. After the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, the instrument was introduced the the public at large. The unique sound was used by Tin Pan Alley song writers and spread exponentially.
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.
And yet, it is the cheapness of the ukulele has been its salvation. With recession and inflation all over the world, people have rushed to the intsrument as an alternative to more costly instruments. That it is easy to learn is another point in its favor.
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 real mark of success for the ukulele, though, is on YouTube. At last count, there were over eighty four thousand videos on the web site. Ranging from how to videos, to indie originals, to cover songs played in a teenager's bedroom and running the gamut from highly professional to the poorest quality you could imagine. But what they all have in common is a love of 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.
The first ukuleles were made in 1880s Hawaii as adaptations of Portuguese traditional instruments. The name translates to "the gift that came here, " said Queen Lili'uokalani. After the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, the instrument was introduced the the public at large. The unique sound was used by Tin Pan Alley song writers and spread exponentially.
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.
And yet, it is the cheapness of the ukulele has been its salvation. With recession and inflation all over the world, people have rushed to the intsrument as an alternative to more costly instruments. That it is easy to learn is another point in its favor.
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 real mark of success for the ukulele, though, is on YouTube. At last count, there were over eighty four thousand videos on the web site. Ranging from how to videos, to indie originals, to cover songs played in a teenager's bedroom and running the gamut from highly professional to the poorest quality you could imagine. But what they all have in common is a love of 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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