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.
However, most of all, it has just one resonant sound. It sounds gentle, pure and incredibly jubilant. This is even true when it boils down to the player's blunt distinction, i.e. Taylor Mac, the man who performed at the Undermain Theatre in Dallas toward the beginning of this month. Mac says, "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."
Fans of the ukulele will cite other reasons for its popularity, most notably it's low cost, easy portability and a simplicity of style that almost anyone can learn to play. For those just starting out, a soprano ukulele will run about $30 to $40. For more advanced players looking for a custom instrument or collectors who enjoy an instrument made with finer woods or with inlays, the cost can run into the thousands of dollars.
Ukulele experts are confident that you will be able to learn to play any ukulele easily. Levine of the Dallas Ukulele Headquarters claims, "I can teach anyone to play the ukulele in about fifteen minutes." He begins teaching with a short session (around fifteen minutes) at the beginning of his classes.
Taylor Mac believes that these distinctive characteristics give the ukulele that certain air that you don't find with any 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.
