The Lure of the Ukulele

By Andrew Tucker.

In 2003 Bill Robertson created an excellent short documentary about the mystique of the ukulele called Rock That Uke. He stated that the shape, the size, and certainly the sound, all in combination, account for the immensely intriguing popularity of the ukulele. Robertson believes that, by the simple act of physically holding the ukulele, a person quickly becomes enchanted by the instrument.

Bill has said that it is "about the size of a human infant". "And when you hold it up to play, you hold it up close and cradle it to your heart, to be corny about it. The ukulele is this small object you are protecting, and it gives you a sense of protective purpose in the world."

But what most people remember is that distinctive sound. Pleasant, innocuous, unrelentingly cheerful. It always has that same sound, no matter who may be playing it - such as Taylor Mac, who recently performed with a ukulele at the Dallas Undermain Theatre. As Taylor Mac pointed out, the sound of a ukulele takes us back to a time in our youth when "nothing is our fault". Such memories can only leave you feeling happy.

Not only that, but the ukulele's four strings have a high end but no opposing low end, as my ukulele guru Bill Robertson is quick to mention. So what you end up with is that distinctive "plink quality," as Robertson describes it. As your playing, all of the sound is in the upper range, so you don't have that "bass sort of support that a guitar has, that robust sound." With a ukulele, you have only the high sounds, which create a "very childlike quality that conveys a certain innocence."

Fans of the ukulele will cite other reasons for its popularity, most notably it's low cost, easy portability and a simplicity of style that almost anyone can learn to play. For those just starting out, a soprano ukulele will run about $30 to $40. For more advanced players looking for a custom instrument or collectors who enjoy an instrument made with finer woods or with inlays, the cost can run into the thousands of dollars.

Ukulele experts are confident that you will be able to learn to play any ukulele easily. Levine of the Dallas Ukulele Headquarters claims, "I can teach anyone to play the ukulele in about fifteen minutes." He begins teaching with a short session (around fifteen minutes) at the beginning of his classes.

Taylor Mac believes that these distinctive characteristics give the ukulele that certain air that you don't find with any other musical instruments.

It's partly because of the humanity of the instrument," he tells us. "Pretty much anyone can pick up a ukulele, and you can learn how to play three chords in about an hour, and play a song. So it brings joy, because people see the possibility that 'If you can do it, I can do it, too.

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