Time flies when you’re having fun!
I’ve been playing ukulele for about 18 years now. It’s been great! This little instrument contains a LOT of music. A TON of music. It’s a passport to fun and a gateway to musical adventure.
Small and funny, plinky and cute, I’m addicted to my ukulele.
It gives you the sound of Hawaii ... imagine warm beaches and murmuring waves, girls on the sand, island drums, a tropical breeze and a nice cold drink. Don’t forget the palm trees swaying.
You get Old Time Show Tunes ... the stuff of vaudeville. A lot of those songs from the 1920s and before were played on the ukulele. With crazy titles like, “Oh How She Could Yacki, Hacki, Wicki-Wacki Woo.”
And of course it’s a great instrument for pop. The Beatles used to rehearse new tunes on their ukes, believing that the uke immediately tells you if a song structure is any good. Elvis had his Blue Hawaii phase.
It’s a perfect porch companion. Small, inexpensive (not cheap!) and family friendly. Even your dog would love it. Man is it addictive! It gets my fingers dancing, aching to play. It just feels so good to play it.
Here’s how it all began. When my son was born I realized I’d have to stick around the house a lot more. I decided to upgrade my acoustic guitar and went to a credible music store, hoping to maybe find a nice used Martin. I didn’t find anything and was ready to go.
But no! A sly old guy, with a wink in his eye, spilled out from behind a music rack. An old bluegrasser! He chatted me up so well that I walked out of the store with a little yellow ukulele. I was SO naïve! I figured I’d just mess around with it on the porch swing for a few laughs.
I’ve been hooked ever since. That particular ukulele ended up getting stepped on by my boy when he was a toddler. It was time for something new. A better one, a stout and solid, all mahogany Mainland soprano ukulele took its place.
If I ever get to heaven, I hope to find it there.
This instrument introduced me to old music, old songs from the Great American Songbook and earlier songs. Musically, the uke demonstrates song structure so well that even I can appreciate just how great the Old Greats really were. And their lyrics are stupendous, too.
Of course I played classic rock and pop songs on the ukulele. I stopped playing guitar. I became more and more proficient. Eventually I even began teaching ukulele at community colleges and I’ve done this for about 12 years now. It’s just a very popular subject and a very popular course. It really took off, and I figure I’ve taught over 1,000 people how to play the ukulele. Came up with my own instruction book as well. Twice I attended the World Ukulele Congress, and now over in Aurora, the city has started a nice ukulele festival. I’ve thought of setting up a uke festival at Starved Rock.
That sprightly sound is just uplifting to the heart. You hold it like a baby! The strings are easy on your fingers and easy enough to chord. It’s cheap in price but not in spirit. No one expects any greatness from a mere ukulele, but that little box of wood is amazingly transformative.
Hmmmm…1 - 2 - 3 - 4...
“Five foot two,
Eyes of blue,
But oh what those five foot can do,
Has anybody seen my gal?”
• Todd Volker lives in Ottawa with his wife and son, and they enjoy reading, kayaking, hiking, tennis and camping. He’s a lifelong learner with books in his hands. He can be reached at tsloup@shawmedia.com.