Well, basically about having a good time! The uke is a happy instrument, with beautiful tone; it makes people smile and players feel good.

There’s a world wide resurgence of the ukulele going on, some call it a revolution…

…some call it a fever…

It’s about what some call the ukulele spirit. Those part of what is considered a ukulele community these days, know what we’re talking about. Those who are not, are about to find out July this year, if not earlier than that! It’s a phenomenon of modern times: people from all over the world, connected by the ukulele via the latest media, all having a good time playing their instrument and making music.

With what other instrument could you have complete beginners in an ensemble playing and making music together? What other instrument is so easy to learn? What other instrument is so much fun? Ever wondered why you don’t hear about ‘guitar’ clubs? Precisely, the ukulele is unique! ABC Radio National aired a program on the 27th of June 2009, dedicated to the ukulele. Follow this link to listen to the program.

The ukulele is of course also about entertaining and engaging others.

Did you know that Warren Buffett, the world’s second richest man and an avid uke player himself, taught the richest man in the world, Bill Gates, to play the ukulele? Have a look at this entertaining interview with Warren about his thoughts on the uke and world economy. This interview followed a fund raiser for Warren Buffett (!) by a couple of ukulele players:

The basics of the ukulele are very easy to learn, however, the four strings provide plenty of challenge for the advanced player, as you will see below.

The portability appeals to children and traveller’s alike. Many travellers leave guitar stores these days with a uke in their hand, because once they lay their hands on a good one, they are hooked.

With the rise of ukulele clubs, ukulele festivals have sprung up everywhere in the world too, with dozens of festivals in the United States, Hawaii, and Europe.

Belgium’s largest evening standard has it’s finger on the pulse and has been filming and publishing ukulele clips on their web site every week for nearly two years, demonstrating the interest in, and endless supply of, original artists who use the uke in their music. International acts featured include, The Wombats, Tete, Yael Naim (from the hit, “New Soul” – a must see!). Make sure you check out Krystle Warren, especially if you are into Tracy Chapman.

The ukulele as an instrument is much more versatile than one would think. Many styles can be played on the humble uke, as demonstrated below.

Jake Shimabukuro toured Australia with Tommy Emmanuel a few years ago, and headlined the Byron Bay Blues Festival, proving that the ukulele has become a lot more mainstream. He blew audiences away, with demand for his albums on iTunes skyrocketing. A video of Jake and Tommy playing George Harrisson’s ‘While my guitar gently weeps’:

The ukulele has made such a come back, that even the owners of YouTube could not deny the rage. YouTube put together an ‘orchestra’ of ukulele players who managed to receive, thousands, and in Nunes’ case millions of hits:

Jack Johnson needs no further introduction. Here’s “Breakdown” recorded live in Sydney (with Xavier Rudd on Weissenborn slide guitar):

James Hill from Canada is another virtuoso on the ukulele, who continues to stretch the boundaries of what was thought possible with ukuleles. James’ contribution to the introduction of ukuleles in schools is big; the classroom books he co-authored with Chalmers Doane are worth considering if you want to introduce the ukulele in your classroom. In Cairns, Trinity Anglican School led the way, by replacing the recorder with a ukulele. The kids absolutely love it, and they now have their own orchestra that rehearses outside school hours!

Late Israel ‘IZ’ Kamakawiwo’ole’s version of  ’Somewhere over the rainbow’  has been the inspiration for many to take up the uke in recent years:

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain are booked solid for many months in advance, they are great fun, and they can really play! Who said you can’t play grunge on a uke?

Wellington has their own Ukulele Ochestra (with member Bret from Flight of the Concords), covering Hey Ya:

Herb Ohta, is a living Hawaiian ukulele legend whose beautiful compositions and interpretations of classic melodies continue to inspire:

Also from Hawaii, is Acoustic Soul, with a gypsy inspired tune:

The ukulele is really well-voiced for jazz music; you just can’t beat the combination of a ukulele and double bass! From Japan, where the uke is immensely popular, Takashi Nakamura:

George Harrisson, of the Beatles, was known to carry around two ukuleles wherever he went, so he could always play the uke, preferrably with someone else:

Warren Buffett covered this song recently with rapper Akon and son Peter Buffett:

This is only a selection of what is out there, have a browse on YouTube, you’ll be amazed at the amount of ukulele videos, and ‘underground’ ukulele heroes, who have established themselves as respected ukulele musicians through the wonderful possibilities of the internet!

For an interview with Australian ukulele maistro Azo Bell of the Old Spice boys and some video clips, follow this link.