ukulele

ukulele
Name	Ukulele
Classification	Plucked string instrument
Related	Machete (musical instrument), Cavaquinho, Rajão, Timple
Musicians	Israel Kamakawiwoʻole, Jake Shimabukuro, Tiny Tim (musician), George Formby

ukulele. The ukulele is a member of the lute family of instruments, originating in the 19th century as a Hawaiian adaptation of the Portuguese machete (musical instrument). It generally employs four nylon or gut strings and is celebrated for its bright, cheerful tone and relative ease of learning. The instrument's popularity has spread globally, finding a place in genres ranging from traditional Hawaiian music to pop, folk, and rock and roll.

History

The instrument's direct ancestor is the machete (musical instrument), a small string instrument brought to Hawaii by Portuguese immigrants from Madeira and the Azores in the late 1870s. Notable among these craftsmen were Manuel Nunes, Augusto Dias, and José do Espírito Santo, who are credited with its development and production in Honolulu. It was quickly adopted and promoted by the Hawaiian royal family, particularly King David Kalākaua, who incorporated it into performances at ʻIolani Palace. The instrument's name roughly translates as "jumping flea," possibly referring to the motion of a player's fingers. Its popularity surged in the United States during the Panama–Pacific International Exposition of 1915, where the Hawaiian Pavilion captivated audiences.

Types and sizes

Common sizes, from smallest to largest, are soprano (or standard), concert, tenor, and baritone. The soprano, often considered the classic size, is the most traditional. The larger concert and tenor sizes offer more frets and a fuller tone, while the baritone is typically tuned differently, to the same intervals as the highest four strings of a guitar. Other variants include the less common sopranissimo (or piccolo) and bass ukulele. Resonator ukuleles, incorporating a metal cone like a Dobro, and electric ukuleles are also produced. The Hawaiian kīkū is a similar eight-string version.

Tuning and strings

The most common tuning for soprano, concert, and tenor ukuleles is G-C-E-A (my dog has fleas), a re-entrant tuning where the G string is tuned higher than the C and E. This high-G tuning is standard, though low-G tuning (linear) is also popular. The baritone is usually tuned to D-G-B-E, matching the top four strings of a guitar. Strings were historically made from catgut, but modern strings are most commonly made from nylon, fluorocarbon, or wound metal composites. Different tunings, such as slack-key or open tunings, are used in specific musical contexts.

Construction and design

Traditional bodies are made from tonewoods like koa (acacia koa), highly prized in Hawaii, or mahogany. Other common woods include spruce, cedar, and maple. The instrument typically consists of a body, a neck attached with a dovetail joint or bolted on, and a fretboard. Cheaper models may be constructed from laminate or plywood, while some feature exotic materials like carbon fiber. Key design elements include the shape of the body (often figure-eight), the type of bridge (tie-bar or through-body), and the number of frets, which ranges from 12 to 20 or more.

Playing techniques and music

Basic playing involves strumming or plucking the strings with the fingers, a felt pick, or a guitar pick. Common strumming patterns form the backbone of much accompaniment. Fingerstyle playing, using techniques like tremolo and vibrato, is employed for more complex melodies. The instrument is versatile, used in jazz (by artists like Lyle Ritz), folk, and solo performances. Famous pieces showcasing the ukulele include Israel Kamakawiwoʻole's medley of Over the Rainbow and What a Wonderful World, and the virtuosic work of Jake Shimabukuro on pieces like While My Guitar Gently Weeps.

Cultural impact

The instrument became a symbol of Hawaii and its music, integral to the image promoted by the tourist industry. It experienced a major mainland fad in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s, associated with Tin Pan Alley songs. Later revivals were spurred by performers like Tiny Tim in the 1960s and, more recently, by internet videos and musicians such as Eddie Vedder and Taylor Swift. It is frequently used in music education programs, such as Ukulele in the Classroom, due to its accessibility. The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain has also played a significant role in its modern popularization through humorous and wide-ranging repertoire.

Category:Plucked string instruments Category:Hawaiian musical instruments Category:Portuguese musical instruments