Ukuleles
Ukulele, ukelele or uke? Call it what you like, but the nation has caught the ukulele bug and it seems that everyone wants to learn to play the ukulele right now. There are ukulele groups in Perth and children are having ukulele lessons in school. Learning the ukulele is easier than a guitar, but once you've had some fun with a uke, it's quite common for people to progress to a guitar. Jimi Hendrix did.
The Hawaiians called it a ukulele. They were impressed with the beautiful sound and the speed of the musicians' flying fingers playing the instrument and ukulele translates as jumping flea. Hawaiian musician Jake Shimabukuro is the one credited with the current resurgence of the ukulele with his version of While My Guitar Gently Weeps but the song that gets everyone humming and strumming is Somewhere over the Rainbow, by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.
Buying a Ukulele
Decide what type of ukulele you would like as there are 4 main sizes to choose from. Soprano, concert, tenor and baritone. How do you know which ukulele size to buy? They come in different shapes like a pineapple, flying v and even a cigar box. We have information on the different ukulele woods as the materials used impacts on the sound of the instrument. Find out how you can improve on the sound of your ukulele. Start with a basic soprano ukulele if cost is a factor and you can always upgrade at a later stage. Many lapsed guitar players are having fun taking up the ukulele. Even if you were a poor guitarist, you can become a pretty good uke player!
Accessories for Ukuleles
Once you have a ukulele, you will need to know how to keep it in tune. A clip on tuner will do the job well. At Crescendo, you will find ukulele cases, bags, Aquila strings, straps, tuners, picks, books and stands.
Ukulele Books
Crescendo Music is well known for its vast range of sheet music, and ukuleles have not been left out. We have a great selection of ukulele tutor books, chord charts and ukulele songbooks in stock, and we are constantly adding to, and updating, our range. Come into our store and browse through our selection, or buy ukulele books online. Remember, buying from a well-known shop that has been established for more than 30 years is probably your best guarantee of security when buying over the internet. Our orders are dispatched quickly, and can be delivered anywhere in Australia.
Who's Playing Ukulele?
Young and old are buying ukuleles. Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Kobain, Bob Brozman, John Paul Jones, Neil Finn, Jack Johnson and Paul McCartney have played ukulele.Warren Buffet, the investment billionaire, plays ukulele. He says, 'You can learn to play it very quickly ... it takes only 15 minutes to play simple songs. You can sing along with it and carry it easily.
Joe Brown stole the show at the George Harrison Memorial Concert when he played I'll See You in my Dreams. As George Harrison from the Beatles said, "Everybody should have and play a uke, it's so simple to carry with you and it is one instrument you can't play and not laugh... It's so sweet and also very old. I love them - the more the merrier - everyone I know who is into the ukulele is crackers, so get yourself a few and enjoy yourselves". Crescendo Music, 454 Marmion Street, Myaree, WA 6154. Contact us on 08 9330 1719 or email at info@crescendomusic.com.au
