arpie Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 (edited) Hi guys Most of you will be aware that I enjoy playing ukuleles, as do a few other members of the forum - Craigtempo & his wife, Ange to name just 2 ....... Contrary to some opinion, the ukulele is no longer considered a 'toy' - some ukuleles sell for $10,000 or more ...... yet you can get terrific ukes (with hard cases) for $150 or thereabouts! Tanglewood Union do a good one. I currently have 6 ukes - a soprano, a concert, a tenor, a bass & 2 concert banjo ukuleles ........ and would probably have more, but I know Keith would go APE! Each sounds different to the other & my favourite just now, is my 50 year old Kamaka Soprano. Kamaka (the preferred brand of many professionals, including Jake) is the ONLY company who has been making ukuleles continuously since they were 'invented' in Hawaii in the late 1900s - Mr Kamaka learned his skill from the Portugese who introduced the instrument to Hawaiians - and his family have been making them ever since. Some of the ukulele shapes - the square ones are made from cigar boxes! Banjo Ukes aren't there tho! The Mighty Uke is a documentary that was made a few years ago & it was shown on Sunday on ABC1 ......... and is now available to watch on ABC iview for the next 11 days ONLY! Then it is GORN! http://www.abc.net.au/iview/#/program/32091 It shows some of the world's BEST uke players (James Hill and Jake Shimabukuro) and even follows a Canadian School who virtually have Ukulele as a subject (with an insane music teacher - it is worth watching just to see HIM!) and these young players become superb performers, who will no doubt continue on with their uke playing even after leaving school - probably some will become entertainers!! Who knows? You can even buy the kit to make the 'triangular' ukuleles & be playing it within days of putting it together! THey are called Wolfelele http://www.scorpexuke.com/Wolfpics.pdf Or you can buy a Stewmac kitset & make your own 'real' ukulele http://scorpexuke.com/Stewmac.pdf Or, you can buy one, ready made! SO ..... if you like a bit of music & would like to know the history of this fantastic little instrument ....... and just see how WELL they can be played ....... you won't be disappointed! cheers Roberta Anyone wanting any tips on buying ukes - feel free to PM me!! Edited April 1, 2013 by Roberta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stillrockn Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 Hi Roberta Really enjoyed your post ...Yah!! Long Live The ukulele 6 ukuleles ,, I'm also a bit of a collector of Stringed instruments ..But i collect Guitars 7 at the moment ... Hmmm! Might just go and get me one of those ukulele Cheers Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluefin Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 Saw a show on tv the other night about them and thought of you!!!! may have been on the ABC . Howard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arpie Posted March 27, 2013 Author Share Posted March 27, 2013 Give it a go, Tom - you may be surprised that everything you can do on Guitar, you can do on ukes - even the same chords - top 4 high strings - (just different name, unless you get a Baritone!!) Smaller to take with you when you travel too!! Roberta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arpie Posted April 1, 2013 Author Share Posted April 1, 2013 Only 6 days left to watch it! Do yourselves a favour - I reckon you'll love it! I wish it was in all schools, instead of recorders!! Roberta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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