Ukulele Music

The name Ukulele means ‘jumping flea’ because that is how the player’s fingers function when playing the instrument. The music developed in the 1880s and was based on the machete that was of Portuguese origin. The music was supported in Hawaii by the King Kalākaua, which is why it gained so much popularity.

In Canada, in the year 1960, around 50,000 people learnt the ukulele music in order to increase music literacy. In 1929, the music gained popularity in Japan after the First World War. The music was loved so much that in 1959, the Nihon Ukulele Association was established, and today the country is the second most famous place when it comes to ukulele music. One of the most famous ukulele players, George Formby, is from the UK and his music has gained popularity everywhere.

The ukuleles are basically made of wood but some of the cheaper ones are also made from plywood. They are basically shaped like an acoustic guitar and have six to eight strings.

With tie several hybrid instruments emerged, such as banjo ukulele, electric ukulele, guitalele, harp ukulele, lap steel ukulele, resonator ukulele, and Tahitian ukulele.