The Joy Of Ukuleles

In 2003 Bill Robertson created an excellent short documentary about the mystique of the ukulele called Rock That Uke

. He stated that the shape, the size, and certainly the sound, all in combination, account for the immensely intriguing popularity of the ukulele. Robertson believes that, by the simple act of physically holding the ukulele, a person quickly becomes enchanted by the instrument.

Bill has said that it is "about the size of a human infant". "And when you hold it up to play, you hold it up close and cradle it to your heart, to be corny about it. The ukulele is this small object you are protecting, and it gives you a sense of protective purpose in the world."

But the most unique characteristic of the ukulele is the intonation. It has a delightfully happy tonality that is both innocent and charming, even when played by someone as serious as Taylor Mac, who performed earlier this month at the Undermain Theatre in Dallas. Robertson continues, "We're reminded of a time when we were so young that nothing is our fault. And that makes us happy."

Robertson, whom I consider to be the foremost expert when it comes to expositions about the ukulele, also points out that, because there is a high end but no low end on the ukulele's four strings, that gives it what is known as the "'pink' quality." "You're strumming it, all the strings are in the upper range, and it doesn't have that bass sort of support that a guitar has, that robust sound. Just the high sound, which gives it a very childlike quality that conveys a certain innocence."

It's affordability, transportability and accessibility are three more factors behind its appeal. A beginner's soprano ukulele is priced at anywhere from $30-$40. However, just as with all music instruments, the more complex inlays and wood could make a ukulele cost thousands of dollars.

When it comes to learning how to play, ukulele enthusiasts affirm that it's child's play. "I can teach anyone to play the ukulele in about 15 minutes," Levine from the Dallas Ukulele Headquarters states. "We do roughly a 15-minute session at the beginning of each class.

All these things imbue the ukulele with a quality that you don't find in other musical instruments.

The reason? "It's partly because of the humanity of the instrument." Mac claims that anyone can learn the basics in an hour, and when you learn the basics, you can pick up the ukulele and play a simple song with just three cords. With this simplicity of learning to play the ukulele, people feel that they can learn to do what they see others doing with the ukulele, and this is an exciting feeling.

by: Andrew Tucker.

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