2 chords... 4 strings... it's a start!

nick allen · Post by **nick allen** » 1 Apr 2010 6:18 am

Bobbe Seymour's last newsletter mentioned he started out playing music on a ukulele...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3BzhPbxnhQ

Blake Hawkins · Post by **Blake Hawkins** » 1 Apr 2010 6:47 am

There seems to be a sudden surge in Ukulele interest.
I went into Sam Ash yesterday and they had a large
display of Ukes right in the front of the store.
Prices from $30 to $300. (Even a Martin.)
Is this interest from U Tube or has some rock group discovered the instrument?

A sales lady there happily told me she was learning
to play. I asked if she knew "Little Brown Jug."
Got a real funny look.

Blake

Charlie Vegas · Post by **Charlie Vegas** » 1 Apr 2010 7:04 am

Which Sam Ash?

Ray Shakeshaft · Post by **Ray Shakeshaft** » 1 Apr 2010 9:23 am

The worldwide upsurge in interest in ukes has been going on for about seven years. There are clubs and festivals in the US and most Western European countries and Australia. It seems that here in the UK a new club opens at least every month and my own at Kidderminster will celebrate its six birthday on 8th April and it continues to grow.

I started the Hollesley Ukefest five years ago in Suffolk, UK, and 24hrs after we announced the date for this year's festival the campsite was completely booked solid. Last year we had people come from Australia and the US plus numerous players from all over Europe and it will be much the same this year. I offer a welcome to any LSers who also play uke to this year's gathering on 24 - 26th July but do make alternative accommodation arrangements other than the Run Cottage Caravan Park. we cannot take any more (We already have 52 tents plus caravan and RVs)

I would like to see more 'cross pollination' between the LS and uke players and I am sure it would benefit both (there is already a small growing interest in LS in uke circles). but the accent is no longer on hapa haole and you are just as likely to hear madrigals, bebop, Bach, jazz standards and rock etc. etc. so beware.

If I can help to put you in touch with uke clubs or players worldwide then please PM me.

(I first met Mike Neer at Pocmont Uke Festival in his Moonlighter days. It was dreadful weather as I recall)

Edit. I have just remembered that the last time I was in NY there was not one uke in 48 Street. There were a few at Mando Bros and Bleakley St so perhaps Vic Ash has eventually woken up.

Papa Joe Pollick · Post by **Papa Joe Pollick** » 1 Apr 2010 9:40 am

I'm one of those that fit Bobbe's discription of future musicians.It was my first insturment when I was about 9 years old.Switched to guitar at 12 and recently regained intrest in the ukulele.I now have 4 ukes that I enjoy playing very much.
Here's an interesting site for uke players of all levels..Play along.
http://www.ukulele.nl/

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 1 Apr 2010 9:49 am

John Coltrane's father played ukulele, too.

Ray, I remember that weekend--dreary, but a load of fun. That is also where I met Ryan Gould, Pops Bayless and Greg Hawkes. I remember spending a considerable amount of time at the bar that night.

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 1 Apr 2010 3:59 pm

Moved to Music from Steel Without Pedals.

Ray Shakeshaft · Post by **Ray Shakeshaft** » 2 Apr 2010 4:53 am

I think that one of the reasons for the growth in popularity of the uke is that song/chordsheets, chord diagrams and lessons are nearly all completely free and on the internet. Provided the student is prepared to put in a bit of practise they need never spend a penny other than on the instrument.

It must also be said that becoming proficient on uke is a lot easier than on lap steel and students respond to progress. I can imagine a lot of steel students giving up because after a year they still may not sound like their heroes.

There are also differences between the general approaches. Uke players tend to use it as an accompaniment where as most steelers want to be soloists.

Blake Hawkins · Post by **Blake Hawkins** » 2 Apr 2010 5:33 pm

Charlie,
It's the one on Dale Mabry.

Blake

John Ed Kelly · Post by **John Ed Kelly** » 2 Apr 2010 5:43 pm

Here's a ukulele virtuoso.......

"Ukulele weeps by Jake Shimabukuro"

<http>

I don't think the hyperlink actually hyperlinked! Just search Youtube though

Papa Joe Pollick · Post by **Papa Joe Pollick** » 2 Apr 2010 7:42 pm

Here ya go
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puSkP3uym5k

John Ed Kelly · Post by **John Ed Kelly** » 2 Apr 2010 10:08 pm

Thanks PJP,

What did I do wrong I wonder?

I added the <and> before and after the hyperlink.

Charlie Vegas · Post by **Charlie Vegas** » 5 Apr 2010 7:21 am

Blake, the "sudden surge in Ukulele interest" in Tampa/Clearwater is due to my buddy Steve Boisen who's been doing Ukulele clinics at Sam Ash. He's part of the Tampa Bay Ukulele Society and they host regular open mikes.

Blake Hawkins · Post by **Blake Hawkins** » 5 Apr 2010 9:09 am

Thanks, Charlie, "Mystery Solved."
Blake

nick allen · Post by **nick allen** » 6 Apr 2010 1:40 am

I originally started this thread (and put it in the Steel Without Pedals section) because of the guy playing the uke on his lap and with a slide of some kind (can't see it but I would guess a glass bottleneck).
However, since it's become a discussion of the rise of uke popularity, I actually put it down to George Harrison. He was famously a uke enthusiast, and carried one or two with him everywhere. On the Beatles Anthology DVD (1995? 1996?) there are some clips of him and McCartney jamming with 2 ukes. Then on the Tribute to George Concert in I think 2002, Joe Brown performs I'll See You In My Dreams on the uke, and McCartney plays Something on one. And it's since then that we seem to be seeing more and more of them.
That's my own personal perpective on it, anyway. Rather like David Lindley single-handedly resurrecting the Weissenborn...
Nick