The ukulele, the four-stringed instrument that most experts say is easy to learn and play, is not only here to stay, it’s growing in popularity.
With prices starting at $25, it’s an inexpensive beginner’s instrument. The low cost, coupled with the ease of play, could be one reason more than 1.4 million ukuleles were sold in the United States in 2016. Ukuleles come in four different sizes (soprano, concert, tenor and baritone) making them comfortable for everyone.
Music schools around the country are teaching toddlers, teens, young professionals and retirees to play the ukulele; some people seek out camps and festivals that offer extended opportunities to learn and jam. Many others are simply fans of the little instrument with the sweet, light sound.
Washington Township resident Rizal Baysa, 78, has played ukulele for about three years. He’s played guitar for more than 50 years, but added the ukulele to expand his musical repertoire (he also plays banjo, harmonica and percussion). Baysa helps lead the 12-15 member Sweet Beats ukulele group at the Rochester Older Persons Commission and teaches beginners how to play.
“It’s easy, and anyone can learn,” he said. “I just give them a couple of 20 minute lessons and then they’re off to join the group. You don’t have to read music or have any sort of musical background.”
The Sweet Beats practice weekly by sitting around a conference table and strumming their ukuleles. Singing is strongly encouraged, with songs ranging from World War II era classics, folk, blues, to Tin Pan Alley style. The quintessential “Blue Hawaii” is on their setlist as well.
They’ve performed at senior centers and residences, churches and at other places. “I really enjoy playing,” said Virgil San Jose, of Rochester Hills, who played as a kid but took it up again about six years ago to join the Sweet Beats.
Based on four other small guitar-like instruments of Portuguese origin, the ukulele was developed in the 1880s. In 1879, Portuguese immigrants brought ukuleles to Hawaii, where The Hawaiian Gazette newspaper reported, “Madeira Islanders recently arrived here have been delighting the people with nightly street concerts.” Hawaii’s King Kalākaua, known as “The Merrie King,” promoted the instrument and helped establish it in the islands.
Fast forward to 1915, when the 17 million visitors to the Panama—Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco heard ukulele tunes played in the Hawaiian Pavilion. Tin Pan Alley songwriters and vaudevillians took an interest; later, the instrument was an icon of the Jazz Age. Soon after, makers of country music picked up ukuleles and Arthur Godfrey played one on his popular television show in the 1950s.
Tiny Tim came on the scene in 1968, strumming as he sang “Tiptoe Through the Tulips.” In the early 1990s, Jim Beloff developed some two dozen ukulele music books featuring modern and classic pieces. Around that same time, Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole also helped bring attention to the ukulele, most notably with his poignant medley of “Over the Rainbow and What a Wonderful World.”
This year marked the eighth season for the five-day Ukulele Band Camp at the Menucha Retreat and Conference Center, located on 102 acres in Corbett, Ore., some 700 feet above the Columbia River. The First Presbyterian Church of Portland owns the Center, which is open to everyone. All participants must have mastered 10 chords before enrolling.
The Sweet Beats welcome new players, although you must be a member of the OPC in Rochester. For information on how to join, contact Dianne Bubnar, Enrichment Manager, at 248-608-0263.
Next Avenue contributed to this report.