ukulele

"This is one of my favorite models introduced at this year’s NAMM. We put in our order at the show and 4 months later, here it is. The first thing that catches me is the design. DaSilva rethought everything that is a tenor ukulele from the ground up. An exaggerated arch in the back and slimmer body are just the start of it. The headstock, fret markers,rosette, bridge, and bracing have all been redesigned. The outcome is fresh and impressive on various levels. Mike DaSilva makes some of the finest vintage ukulele replica’s. Now he turns to his own vision. He explores the abstract and asymmetrical to make anew. I think he’s made something very beautiful and definitely unique, but the real news here is that this new uke sounds SO good! Away from the noise of NAMM I realize that this instrument is much more than a new look, it’s an advancement in his voicing. Not overly bassy or super bright, but just right. The beauty in tone matches the boldness in design. Hats off to Mike, well done... more... - Spidra Webster from Bookmarklet

Thanks, now I got George Formby singing in my head! :-/ - Halil

May I suggest you fixate on Cliff Edwards instead? http://www.youtube.com/watch... - Spidra Webster

"If you see a ukulele at a flea market, you might check and see if it’s signed - it could be the mark of a legendary musician. An Oakland resident and connoisseur of music lost the instrument last week to a home burglary. Derk Richardson hosts a music show on KPFA and had a ukulele signed by Bill Tapia, known as the “Duke of Uke.”   "It had no monetary value, but tons of sentimental value," said Richardson.   Bill Tapia played with musicians like Billie Holliday and Louis Armstrong.   Tapia was also a music teacher to Hollywood stars like Shirley Temple and Clark Gable. And about 40 years ago at a music store in Lafayette, Tapia tutored a young Derk Richardson.   Now, Richardson’s hoping his beloved ukulele will find a good home.   "It will end up somewhere, and I hope it ends up with someone who appreciates it," Richardson said.   Bill Tapia died last year at age 103." - Spidra Webster from Bookmarklet

"Jazz" uke with guinea pig deco - Spidra Webster from Bookmarklet

"This innovative busker was performing on Shop Street in Galway. Life might be a whole lot easier for him if he could just make his mind up!" - Spidra Webster from Bookmarklet

"Howlin’ Hobbit plays old-skool jazz, hokum, novelty tunes and original songs in those styles on ukulele—and sometimes other instruments—with verve, skill, laughs and fun! Howlin’ is a veteran of many years busking plus appearances at clubs, festivals, burlesque and cabaret shows and other venues, both solo and with a variety of bands. and that’s enough of that third person writing voice thing… What’s here? Ukulele music and videos, free songsheets and ukulele exercises to download (for fellow enthusiasts) and information on several other musical subjects near and dear to my heart. You can check out photos (both live and studio shots), find out how to hire me for your event, download an electronic press kit or request a physical copy. The News section is a blog with updates on the site itself, new videos, fresh show announcements, talks about past gigs and info on other music and musicians I enjoy. Can I buy a CD or something? There are CDs available for sale on the Music & Video... more... - Spidra Webster from Bookmarklet

All the Internet (it seems) is abuzz with the news that Amidio will be releasing the Futulele in April. The Futulele consists of a hardware device that connects an iPhone and an iPad along with apps that run on both … Continue reading →

Haven’t you heard? Today is World Ukulele Day, at least according to Ukulele Mike.

Electric Ukulele Land is working on “taking the electric ukulele to the next level and turning it into a serious modern rock instrument.” Their site has some excellent plans as well as some, um, “interesting” ideas. Check’em out.

Yes, Taylor Guitars is getting into the ukulele business. Taylor, whose guitars are well-known for their great sound and beautiful looks (as well as their, um, “ample” prices), is offering a limited edition of 30 matched sets that contain a … Continue reading →

The NY Times has a story on how more and more people are taking music lessons over the Internet, usually via Skype or Google Hangouts. It’s a trend that I’ve noticed. For example, Rob Michael, the lead guitarist for the … Continue reading →

Unlike a guitar, a ukulele is pretty portable and can be pulled out on the subway should you get the itch to share some tunes with your fellow passengers. What started out as an innocent music break led New York … Continue reading →

Utterly hilarious cover of Kanye West and Jay-Z’s hit song:

Jake wishes his fans a “Merry Christmas” with his version of the classic “Silent Night.”

Paul Celentano over at Etsy is back to his mad schemes, this time with an Optimus Prime ukulele for only $550. As he says, “This instrument is made to order. And i do have a waiting list. Please contact me … Continue reading →

It’s a great time of year to be a ukulele player. I assume you’ve memorized all the classics; if not, here is a link to the best downloadable ukulele songbook I’ve found on the Internet: Christmas Songs It’s got a … Continue reading →

"This book shows how to: Put strings on a ukulele - correctly, Play three styles of triplet strum, Know where to look when you sing, Tackle nerves and stage fright, Start and run a ukulele club, Remember lyrics and sing on pitch, Create a killer set list and much more. Learn from a seasoned pro how to relax and improvise, introduce more dynamics into your playing, even—just for fun—how to make ukulele wine! You'll get some lessons in musical history and be royally entertained by the "King of the Ukulele" himself." - Spidra Webster from Bookmarklet

too bad his uke (which is also in my possession) has been beyond repair since the late 1950s. i should get a new one. - Hieronymous Boosh

The ukulele has come front and center to the middle of the Occupy Wall Street movement. Sort of. Amanda Palmer wrote the song (which emphasizes “art is not hard”) and has recorded it for download via Bandcamp. Click through for a live video and all the gory details. Like this:Be the first to like this [...]

Here’s an excellent collection of links to downloadable ukulele songbooks. Like this:Be the first to like this post.

DeVine Guitars and Ukuleles has a fascinating blog post on how they’re creating new ukuleles from rare maple wood that was salvaged after 50+ years under water. Click through for the entire set of gorgeous photos. Like this:Be the first to like this post.

Yay! Jake Shimabukoru will be on tour in the United States starting October 22, according to The Epoch Times. Shimabukuro’s playing is no longer limited to small cafes and Central Park. He will be zigzagging the United States, with performances kicking off on Oct. 22 in Honolulu and then taking him coast to coast and [...]

The Massachusetts-based Magic Fluke company has shipped it’s 50,000th ukulele, guaranteeing its placement as the number one American manufacturer of ukuleles. The Berkshire Eagle has more information: The fluke was born about 13 years ago. Dale Webb said it was difficult to find high-quality ukuleles. This fact frustrated his brother-in-law, Jim Beloff, who had recently [...]

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The popular music outlet Sam Ash now offers an online ukulele buyer’s guide. As might be expected, its somewhat vapid and aimed more at selling ukeleles than giving actual information (“All [woods] have their own resonance characteristics, but all will sound sweet”) but has some useful tidbits. Click here for the full guide. Oh, the [...]

Vintage footage from 1994:   Like this:Be the first to like this post.

Rob Michael is the leader of the Atmos Trio and a prolific online performer and teacher. He picked up a ukulele about a year ago, sat down with it, and this was what came out.

Paul Celanto is, apparently, a woodworker from Asheville, NC. He has some fun and interesting ukuleles for sale in his Etsy shop. Check out this Les Paul-style tenor: He also has other stringed instruments in his catalog. Like this:Be the first to like this post.