The Reasoning Why Growing Popularity Of Ukuleles In The Previous Ten Years
The growing popularity of ukuleles is one of the great musical success stories of the last decade. But where did they come from? And why have sales suddenly shot up the last few years? Let us explore the history and reasons behind the ukulele’s success.
Adaptated from two traditional instruments from Portugal, the first ukuleles were made in Hawaii in the 1880s by Manuel Nunes, Augusto Dias and Jose do Espirito Santo. The name comes from one of the queens of Hawaii, Lili’uokalani, and translates roughly to “the gift that came here.” San Francisco’s 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition introduced ukuleles to the public for the first time. This led to Tin Alley song writers to picking up the sound and quickly spreading across the world.
After the second World War, the fortunes of the ukulele waned. Mass produced, cheap instruments made their way into the hands of children, turning them into toys. With so called entertainers like Tiny Tim and George Formby making ukuleles into a punchline, there was never a less fashionable time to play the ukulele.
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.
A few sources cite Paul McCartney playing at the “Concert for George” as the spearhead for the ukulele’s resurgence of fortune. But he is by no means the only famous musician playing them. Both Amanda Palmer and Eddie Vedder have put out ukulele based albums in the last few months, Palmer’s being entirely comprised of Radiohead covers. Magnetic Fields and Gothic Archies frontman Stephen Merritt often plays them on his albums. The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain have sold out shows all over Europe, culminating in playing the, usually quite serious, BBC Proms. And Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s almost nauseatingly ubiquitous version of ‘Over the Rainbow” has done more for drawing attention back to the uku than just about anything.
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.
The growing popularity, or should that be rebirth, of ukuleles can be summated quite easily: they are fun. One cannot help but smile as they pluck the strings. Although easy to acquire the skills, it never fails to be amusing for both player and listener alike.
Gain insight into the reasons behind the growing popularity of Ukuleles. You can get more information about the lanikai tenor ukulele in our review on where to buy ukuleles at a great price on the Internet.
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