strings and things

i'm learning to play string instruments for the first time bear with me

[strings-and-things2007]

my mama really really wants to learn guitar and she's asked me to teach her to play and i don't know how to play guitar so i think i'm gonna learn for the sole purpose of teaching my mama

[strings-and-things2007]

my fixer upper uke has turned out to be a bigger undertaking ghan i had expected, and i've now spent 3x as much on new parts as i did on the uke to begin with 🤦‍♀️ why do i do these things to myself

[strings-and-things2007]

my best attempt at für elise!

[porkeatsart]

dude playing ukulele

[strings-and-things2007]

That Doesn't Look Quite Right

[iobsesswaytoomuch1]

Hey guys do you think I have enough stringed instruments

If you answer yes you’re wrong

[strings-and-things2007]

absolutely not!!! gotta have one of every ukulele size at least

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing Notes: Ukuleles

Ukulele - (also known as uke or ukelele) a small stringed instrument that originated in Hawai‘i.

Similar in shape to a guitar, a ukulele has four nylon strings that musicians play by strumming with their fingers or a pick.

The name “ukulele” roughly translates to “jumping flea” in Hawaiian, which, according to one origin story, refers to the energetic look of players’ fingers while fingerpicking.

Ukuleles can be made from any number of woods, including laminate wood, solid cedar, rosewood, and tonewoods.

Koa, a Hawaiian acacia wood, is among the most popular woods used to make ukuleles.

Types of Ukuleles

Soprano ukulele: The original size (the second-smallest ukulele) with a C4–A5 range

Concert ukulele: Slightly larger than the soprano, with a C4–C6 range

Tenor ukulele: Slightly larger than concert, with a G3–D6 range

Baritone ukulele: Slightly larger than the tenor, with a D3–A♯5 range

Bass ukulele: The second-largest ukulele, with an E2–B4 range

Contrabass ukulele: The largest of the ukulele sizes, with an E1–B3 range

Pocket ukulele: Also known as piccolo, sopranino, or sopranissimo, this is the smallest ukulele, with a G4–D6 range

Electric ukulele: A ukulele that can plug into an amp

Pineapple ukulele: A ukulele that has a round, pineapple-shaped body, instead of a guitar shape

A Brief History of the Ukulele

In 1879, three Portuguese immigrants from Madeira—Manuel Nunes, José do Espírito Santo, and Augusto Dias—disembarked from the SS Ravenscrag in Honolulu, Hawai‘i.

The three men were cabinetmakers who missed the small guitar-like instruments—like the machete, the braguinha, and the cavaquinho—that were popular back home in Portugal.

As a result, they made the first ukulele in the early 1880s.

While Portuguese immigrants introduced the ukulele to the island, King Kalākaua, then-monarch of Hawai‘i, was responsible for the popularity of the ukulele and its eventual reverence in Hawaiian culture.

The instrument also became popular in the mainland United States, where Hawaiian music and hula dances were trendy in the mid-20th century.

With appearances on The Arthur Godfrey Show and in music by Tiny Tim (especially his song “Tiptoe Through the Tulips”), it remained in the spotlight.

In the 90s, the ukulele enjoyed a new rise in popularity in the US, when Hawaiian musician Israel Kamakawiwo'ole released his ukulele versions of the popular songs “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “What a Wonderful World.”

The popularity of ukuleles has led to a surge in hybrid musical instruments, such as the guitalele (a guitar ukelele) and the banjolele (a banjo ukulele).

Difference between Ukuleles & Guitars

As string instruments, ukuleles and guitars may look very similar, but they have several significant differences, including:

Size: The most apparent difference between guitars and ukuleles is their size: ukuleles range from 11 to 21 inches, while a full-size guitar can be up to 40 inches. Due to their small size, the ukulele can be more manageable for beginners to learn with, because they don’t have to stretch their fingers too far on the fretboard (or fingerboard) to make ukulele chords and notes.

Strings: Guitars have six strings tuned from the lowest to highest (most often tuned with a tuner to E-A-D-G-B-E), while ukuleles only have four and don’t follow low-to-high order (standard ukulele tuning is G-C-E-A). With fewer strings, ukuleles can be easier to learn how to play—especially considering ukulele strings are usually soft nylon, rather than the tougher-on-the-fingers nickel-coated strings found on most guitars.

Range: Since guitars are larger instruments than ukuleles, they have a much more extensive range of notes—standard classical guitars can play from E2 to E4, while a soprano ukulele can play only from C4 to A5.

Sound: Acoustic guitars produce a loud, full sound, due in part to their larger size and nickel-coated strings; ukulele music is lighter and brighter than the richness of a guitar.

Source ⚜ More: Notes & References ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

[copperbadge]

It's a beautiful night for two hours of ukulele!

[strings-and-things2007]

:0

[pokemonarchive]

Ukulele Pichu (2010) - Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Illustrator: Kouki Saitou

[strings-and-things2007]

my newest uke!!

she's not in playable condition rn, i've got to get new tuning pegs and strings for her this week :)

[ukuleleoftheday]

Clearwater Roundback

[ukuleleoftheday]

My personal Ukulele of the Day

[strings-and-things2007]

i bought a new uke today!!! or rather, an old one! i went to an antique store with my mama and found a gorgeous soprano uke with dry rotted nylon strings im so excited to restring her and see how she plays :)

[strings-and-things2007]

i havent been active in almost a year jeez 😭

[strings-and-things2007]

did u guys know u can use a steel guitar slide ... on a uke ? it sounds really funny .

[strings-and-things2007]

i havent been active lately because ive been practicing more than blogging but anyway i need name suggestions for one of my ukes ! she's painted solid black , made of wood , and is a soprano :) srsly please any ideas at all

[strings-and-things2007]

two of my 3 ukes ! left is Marley (handmade by yours truly , solid mahogany stained with minwax red mahogany color) , right is Finn (makala , plastic painted green)

[strings-and-things2007]

this is not a ukulele but i have it ! it's called a cigar box guitar and i have it tuned to a Cmaj (C , E , G) . my neighbor gave it to me ! i think it's super neat :)

[strings-and-things2007]

marley update ! first coat of poly is on !! at this rate , she should be playable by next monday !!!