Author Topic: Is an Ukelele really an instrument? (Read 288 times)

bob · « **on:** July 20, 2005, 11:07:22 PM »

Personally, there has always been some doubt in my mind - no offense to any players out there.

And just to save us all time, it is an acoustic instrument, and Alembic doesn't make such things, so let's not bother talking about that.

But a friend sent me this link, which is a video clip of some guy playing While My Guitar Gently Weeps, and I think some of you may appreciate it. Definitely worth a listen (though I can't seem to get the last minute or so).

http://www.m90.org/view_image.php?image_id=6057

This is not a site that would generally appeal to me, but I forwarded the link to a friend who happens to be very pleased about having an autographed photo of herself with Tiny Tim (never quite got that myself). She recommends you also check out the Chinese dancers video, and I concur.

edited - that link seems to have disappeared in favor of something perhaps less tasteful, so here are the dancers:

http://www.m90.org/view_image.php?image_id=6445

(Message edited by bob on July 20, 2005)

(Message edited by bob on July 21, 2005)

keith_h · « **Reply #1 on:** July 21, 2005, 04:38:01 AM »

The song seems appropriate. George Harrison was a big fan and player of the Ukelele. Not only would he take his own when travelling, he brought an extra one or two along so friends could play with him.

Keith

bracheen · « **Reply #2 on:** July 21, 2005, 06:35:50 AM »

Wow! Who would have thought? Thanks for sharing Bob.

Sam

pas · « **Reply #3 on:** July 21, 2005, 06:55:20 AM »

Jake Shimabukuro...saw him open for Stanley Clarke, Bela Fleck & Jean-Luc Ponty at Wolf Trap last month. I was absolutely spellbound. His musical ability simply redefines & transcends his instrument in much the same way Bela did with the banjo 15 years ago. What an unexpected treat that was...

57basstra · « **Reply #4 on:** July 21, 2005, 08:15:05 AM »

Tiny Tim, very underrated and underappreciated player, singer, entertainer, pop icon. (God Bless us every one.)

David Houck · « **Reply #5 on:** July 21, 2005, 08:30:42 AM »

Wow!!! That was nice!!! Thanks, Bob!

Somewhere I had just recently heard about this guy doing a version of While My Guitar.. on uke. And here it is!

811952 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 21, 2005, 08:39:09 AM »

Wow is right. Nice. How is a Ukelele tuned? 4ths? 5ths? Perhaps you can see where this is headed...
John

jagerphan84 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 21, 2005, 09:11:55 AM »

Normally they're tuned G-C-E-A, IIRC.

Adam

811952 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 21, 2005, 09:28:44 AM »

Thanks, Adam. Low to High or High to Low? It will be interesting to see if my fingers and attention-span are long enough to try adapting this to bass. If anybody else does this, I'd love to hear it!
John

dela217 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 21, 2005, 07:54:09 PM »

It is definately an instrument. And just like a mandolin, I think they make great percussion instruments. Really! Check out The Fox by Nickle Creek. Or Baby Girl by Sugarland. To me that is a good example of what I mean. Sort of like a cross between a rythm guitar and click track. Good stuff!

bob · « **Reply #10 on:** July 21, 2005, 09:59:12 PM »

So, what, nobody liked the Chinese dancers?

Yes, the (ooh) ukelele really is an instrument - in the right hands.

blazer · « **Reply #11 on:** July 23, 2005, 03:01:20 PM »

On the Concert for George in which a lot of George Harrison's famous friends and the two remaining Beatles played his songs, Sir Paul whipped out a Ukelele and played a very ragtime version of Something.

David Houck · « **Reply #12 on:** July 23, 2005, 03:30:37 PM »

I've watched that Concert For George a couple of times on PBS. Very moving! Quite wonderful. On Something, the transition from the uke into the full arrangement is especially nice.