It’s Ukulele time! Let your fingers dance!

March 19, 2015

 

Spring is here and what a better way to spend time with your family then dancing, singing and playing music.  Now we’re not all Mozart’s…yet, but there are a ton of fun ways to get going with music and get the whole family involved.  Introducing the UKULELE.  We’re sure you have heard of it.  You can’t turn on the radio without hearing at least one great song filled out with the sound of the Ukulele’s nylon strings.  Or head over to YouTube where you can hear any popular song ever recorded done with a Ukulele and a sweet voice.

Now where did the Ukulele even come from?

It has Portuguese origins from a instrument called the machete played by immigrants who came to work in the sugar canes fields of Hawaii.  The Portuguese wowed and amazed the Hawaiian people with it’s magical sound.    It was later redesigned and renamed Ukulele or “Jumping flea”.  It became a cultural sensation representing Hawaiian’s love of the land and it’s people. That was over a 125 years ago and the rest is history!

That’s a lot of history for one little instrument.  But the Ukulele is a perfect  companion for summer camping or time spent one on one with your children.  The strings are soft.  The nylon feel is a lot easier than the metal strings of the guitar.  Your toddler will instantly gravitate to it’s playability and pure sound.  It’s also very light and easy to hold so it won’t be overwhelming for your child to engage with it.

Did we mention it’s easy to get going making music?

The “C” chord is one note. Yes, one note! It also only has 4 strings as opposed to the guitar’s 6 strings so there is a lot less to maneuver.

The Ukulele is also a great way to get you or your child into an instrument and not spend too much money. It’s very inexpensive.  So what are you waiting for?  Those beautiful family afternoons and nights around the fire are begging for the sweet sounds of the Ukulele played by you and your child.

We’d love to hear from you!

Bonus points: learn to play Rockness Music’s “A little Breath in” on the Ukulele”


http://www.museumofmakingmusic.org/ukulele-history

Let it go on Ukulele:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48E4sS8K-bM