Posts Tagged ‘electric ukulele’
The Mystery of the Ukulele
It’s no secret that the ukulele is most commonly associated with Hawaiian music. But, did you know that the instrument was derived from a combination of two Portuguese instruments? Two very different instruments in deed: the braguinha and the cavaquinho. There’s speculation as to how this hybrid-style instrument came to be exactly, but rumor has it that a Portuguese traveler arrived in Hawaii carrying a similar instrument, which caught the eye of the locals.
In Hawaiian, the name ukulele can be defined as “jumping flea.” There are many theories about how this instrument’s name came to be. Some include the idea that it was a trait of the traveling passenger’s demeanor or the way a players fingers jump around from string to string while playing the ukulele. Even if the origination of the ukulele and its name are still a mystery, one thing is certain – ukuleles became popular, and fast, within the Hawaiian culture.
Until a few years ago, I had always associated the ukulele with traditional Hawaiian music – and for good reason. The instrument is actually a minor variation on stringed lutes that were played in Europe for centuries. Eventually, some Portuguese immigrants introduced that lute to natives of Hawaii, and the craze spread throughout the islands. Now I have a much more sophisticated view of the instrument’s potential, however, after hearing the song “Postcards from Italy” by Beirut.
The song is sung as a lamentation for lost people and places, and it perfectly utilizes the ukulele’s versatility. It can be used to strum mournful lullabies or uplifting chants. Baritone ukuleles feature an entirely unique tone, especially those made from the wood of Hawaiian koa trees. In recent years, the electric ukulele has become almost as popular as its acoustic counterpart.