The ukulele is one of the most popular and in-demand string instruments in the world. Although you probably will not see one at a concerto, you will definitely spot a ukulele in a lot of public places like streets or beaches. This popularity of ukuleles is primarily attributed to the chill and joyful vibe that their tunes create.
If you are one of the hundreds and thousands of music lovers out there who are fascinated with the ukulele, then you probably already know a couple of songs to play on this instrument and even a few basic chords. But are you also familiar with some of the most interesting facts about this sought-after string instrument? If not, then this article is especially for you! Here are 5 of the most fun and fascinating facts about the ukulele.
1. The ukulele traces its roots back to Portugal
Contrary to widespread assumption, the ukulele is not a Hawaiian invention. Instead, its birth can be traced back to 1879, when Portuguese sailors landed in Hawaii and played the instrument in front of the locals. In fact, it has a predecessor instrument called “machete de braga” or “cavaquinho”, whose design greatly resembles that of the ukulele. This small string instrument is what the sailors used when they were away from home.
2. The strings of the earlier ukuleles are made from animal gut
Back in the earlier days, the strings of ukuleles used to be made from catguts that came from cow or sheep intestines and were processed to make durable musical strings. However, these days, modern types of ukuleles do not use catgut strings anymore. Instead, these ukuleles already come with nylon strings, which tend to last a couple of months to a year, depending on how frequent they are used.
3. The ukulele almost overtook the guitar multiple times
In the 1920s, a lot of traditional guitar manufacturers like C. F. Martin Guitars sold as many ukuleles as guitars. During the global economic crisis, these manufacturers were particularly able to survive the challenging years because of affordable ukuleles. At the start of the 1950s, Selmer-Maccaferri was able to maintain consistent daily production of 2,500 plastic ukuleles. All these events show how possible it is for ukuleles to replace guitars as the most in-demand string instrument.
4. The ukulele has a high “low” string
Unlike guitars, ukuleles have the so-called “reentrant” tuning. This means that the strings of a ukulele are not continuously tuned upwards like the strings on a guitar or numerous other string instruments. This is what is responsible for the ukulele’s lovely sound. It also enables the ukulele to put on a low string. While this “Low G” tuning compromises a bit of the usual ukulele sound, it delivers a fuller sound and is particularly suitable for soloists.
5. You can play complex songs like Bohemian Rhapsody on the ukulele
Many people have a misconception that the ukulele can only play chill music. However, contrary to this, you can actually play various genres and songs on your ukulele. For instance, Jake Shimabukuro, a famous ukulele musician, once played Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody using only this 4-stringed instrument. His awesome cover was among the main reasons why the ukulele gained much more exposure in the early 21st century.
Apart from Bohemian Rhapsody, here are some other complex songs you can play on the ukulele:
- Somewhere Over the Rainbow
- Tears in Heaven
- Hey There Delilah
- Hey Soul Sister
- House of Gold
- Here Comes the Sun
- Riptide
- Creep
Conclusion
Ukulele is undoubtedly one of the easiest and most interesting instruments you can learn and play. Aside from being relatively easy to play as it only has 4 strings, the ukulele also comes with a rich history, a fascinating design, and a wide range of musical possibilities. If the ukulele has sparked your interest in music, you should definitely start learning your ukulele and guitar music lessons in Singapore now!
For the most exciting and extensive music classes in town, Studio72 is the music centre you can count on! We offer fun and comprehensive classes on a variety of musical instruments, including the ukulele, guitar, drum, and keyboard. Aside from instruments, we also provide the best vocal lessons in Singapore that will surely turn you into a powerhouse singer in no time.
