subject: The Joy Of Ukuleles [print this page] The ukulele's charm is definitely found in its sound, although its shape and size also have bearing as stated by Bill Robertson, who has released a renowned documentary known as "Rock That Uke" back in 2003. Robertson believes that some of the uke's aura is connected to the actual act of carrying it.
As he points out in the film, a ukulele "[is] about the size of a human infant". And just like an infant, a ukulele is held close to the chest, near the heart, as if you were cradling a baby.... which probably seems a little sappy. You have this small, wonderful instrument that you're shielding from harm which in turn gives you a real sense of purpose.
But what most people remember is that distinctive sound. Pleasant, innocuous, unrelentingly cheerful. It always has that same sound, no matter who may be playing it - such as Taylor Mac, who recently performed with a ukulele at the Dallas Undermain Theatre. As Taylor Mac pointed out, the sound of a ukulele takes us back to a time in our youth when "nothing is our fault". Such memories can only leave you feeling happy.
My go-to logician on ukuleles, Bill Robertson, also make a point to call attention to the fact that the four strings on the ukulele has a high end, but there isn't a low end. "All that really means," he says, "is that it is the 'plink' quality." "You're strumming the ukuele, 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. "It just has a 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.
If you are just a beginner, never fear, this is an easy instrument to learn how to play, as any die hard uke player will tell you. Master Uke player Levine of the Dallas Ukulele Headquarters insists that he can "teach anyone to play the ukulele in about 15 minutes". In fact, each class begins with a 15-minute session on how to play.
Mac says that other musical instruments just don't have the quality that you find in a ukulele.
It's partly because of the humanity of the instrument," he tells us. "Pretty much anyone can pick up a ukulele, and you can learn how to play three chords in about an hour, and play a song. So it brings joy, because people see the possibility that 'If you can do it, I can do it, too.
