- Intro to Uke
- Instruments
- Amplification
- Blogs
- Books
- Building Ukes
- Care
- Clubs
- Cool Ukes
- Dealers
- Forums
- Lessons
- Links
- Magazines
- Misc
- Musicians
- News
- News
- Recording
- Shows & Festivals
- Strings
- TABs
- Teachers
- Tunings
- Videos
Ukulele Information
The start page for a tone of information on the ukulele
.png)
.jpg)
Ukulele Information (index_uke.shtml) | Updated: 23-Sep-2008 - 14:53
Ukulele The ukulele is a fretted string instrument which is, in its construction, essentially a smaller, four-stringed version of the guitar. In the early 20th century, the instrument's name was often rendered as ukelele, a spelling stilll used in Great Britain. The Hawai'ian spelling 'ukulele is also sometimes seen.
WidipediA link
The Ukulele History
In 1879, a Braguinha arrived in Hawaii on a Portuguese ship loaded with
laborers destined for the sugar fields. Hawaiians made the instrument their own
and calling it "ukulele" which translates to "jumping flea," It is believed to
have originated because of the way a performer's fingers jump around on the
strings.
The Ukulele Timeline
- 1879: Portuguese sailors introduce Hawaiians to small four-stringed instrument that gave rise to the ukulele.
- 1915: Panama Pacific International Exposition unveils ukulele to the world.
- 1920s: Ukuleles all the rage.
- 1940s: Ukulele craze revived by GIs returning home from South Pacific after World War II.
- 1950s: Weekly TV host Arthur Godfrey keeps ukuleles in the spotlight.
- Current: Virtuoso musicians such as Jake Shimabukuro and James Hill are altering traditional perceptions of ukulele music.
Baritone Ukulele
The baritone ukulele can be used as a small starter guitar. Easy on little tikes hands.
With more and more children wanting to start guitar at an earlier and earlier age the baritone ukulele, which is tuned just like a guitar's top (higher) four strings, is a great starter guitar.
5, 6, and 8 String Ukuleles
The most common number of strings are 4. By doubling any of the 4 strings, 5, 6 and 8 string variations are common. The Kanile’a 'Ukulele web site has a page of MP3 sound files titled Sound Files @ Kanile'a 'Ukulele. Check these out to here how quality Ukes are supposed to sound. Nothing like your cheaper Ukes in most music stores.
Ukulele prices range from a few dollars for cheap plastic toy ones up to a few thousand for custom built ukuleles using the best woods in the world. Everyone should have at least one ukulele.
More info:
- The Ukulele: Hawaii's Little Musical Giant
- How I Learned to Play the ‘Ukulele By John King
- Ukulele Hall of Fame Museum
This is the best article that I have come across on the ukulele anywhere.
Curt Sheller Publications Ukulele Books
Available right here for immediate priority shipping
A Guide to Ukulele Chords
Covering basic ukulele chords that ALL uke players MUST know, movable chord forms, rock uke chords, how to transpose chords, learning the ukulele fingerboard and an introduction to 4-part “jazz” chords and more...
$14.95 - Buy Now
A Guide to Advanced Chords for Ukulele
Commonly referred to as "jazz" chords. A Guide to Advanced Ukulele Chords Volume I provides detailed information on voicing 4-part chords.
$19.95 - Buy Now
Exploring "Jazz" Chords on Ukulele
Exploring “Jazz” Chords takes the core chords from A Guide to Advanced Chords for Ukulele and shows their use over a variety of common chord progressions based on songs from the standard jazz repertoire.
$19.95 - Buy Now
More ukulele books can be found at the main Curt Sheller Publications web site.
For guitar players wanting to learn the ukulele we have a book and web site just for you: UkuleleForGuitarPlayers.com
Ukulele for Guitar Players
A guide to transferring the accumulated experience and knowledge gained as a guitar played to the ukulele.
$17.95 - Buy Now
SheetMusicPlus.com Ukulele Books
Longer shipping time
  |
101 Three-Chord Songs for Guitar, Banjo, and Uke By Larry McCabe. For Guitar (Flatpicking & Fingerpicking). Songbook. McCabe's 101 Series. All Styles. Level: Beginning. Book. Size 8.75x11.75. 128 pages. Published by Mel Bay Publications, Inc. (99476) See more info... |
 |
Fretboard Roadmaps - Ukulele The Essential Patterns That All the Pros Know and Use. Fretted. Softcover with CD. With notes and tablature. Size 9x12 inches. 80 pages. Published by Hal Leonard. (695901) See more info... Fretboard Roadmaps - Ukulele - see the ukulele finerboard like a pro. Well put together book. |
 |
Jumpin' Jim's '60s Uke-In Arranged by Jim Beloff. Vocal/chords songbook for voice and ukelele. With vocal melody, lyrics, chord names, ukulele chord chart, ukulele chord diagrams, introductory text and black & white photos. 72 pages. Published by Hal Leonard. (HL.695381) See more info... Jumpin' Jim's '60s Uke-In - Jim put togther some great song books and this is no exception. |
 |
Jumpin' Jim's Ukulele Masters: Lyle Ritz Performed by Lyle Ritz. Arranged by Jim Beloff. Fretted. Softcover with CD. Size 9x12 inches. 56 pages. Published by Hal Leonard. (695609) See more info... Jumpin' Jim's Ukulele Masters: Lyle Ritz - great book for an introduction to Lyle Ritz's jazz ukulele style. |
 |
Jumpin' Jim's Ukulele Beach Party Fretted. Size 6.75x10.5 inches. 72 pages. Published by Flea Market Music, Inc. (695658) See more info... Jumpin' Jim's Ukulele Beach Party - I've found some great songs for my repertoire in this book. |
 |
Jumpin' Jim's Ukulele Island 31 Tropical Tunes Arranged for Uke. Fretted. Size 6.75x10.5 inches. 80 pages. Published by Flea Market Music, Inc. (695845) See more info... Jumpin' Jim's Ukulele Island - One of my favorite TV themes of all time is in here - Gilligan's Island. |
For more Ukulele information visit my UkuleleResources.com and UkuleleChords.net web sites.
Search & Talk
Quick Links
Ukulele
Guitar
Lessons
Instruments
Luthiers
Musicians
Misc. Music
Random Stuff
Featured Books
Ukulele Chords
NEW This small (1/2 size) chord book is a great little book to carry with you. Ukulele Chords covers basic open position and basic movable form chords. From these two chord categories a variety of songs and styles can be played.
A Guide to Ukulele Strums & Rhythmic Patterns
This book is designed as a guide to ukulele (pronounced “oo-koo-lele”) strums. From rock and waltz strums to reggae and broken chord strums.
A Guide to Ukulele Chords
This book is designed as a guide to ukulele (pronounced “oo-koo-lele”) chords. Covering basic ukulele chords that ALL uke players MUST know, movable chord forms, rock uke chords, how to transpose chords, learning the ukulele fingerboard and an introduction to 4-part “jazz” chords and more...
Ukulele For Guitar Players
Ukulele for Guitar Players is a guide to transferring the accumulated experience and knowledge gained as a guitar played to the ukulele.
A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z
Covers the key of C major and C minor, including a detailed accompanying text explaining the principles behind each progression and the chord substutitions.
Exploring "Jazz" Chords on Ukulele
Exploring "Jazz" Chords takes the core chords from A Guide to Advanced Chords for Ukulele and shows their use over a variety of common chord progressions based on songs from the standard jazz repertoire.
A Guide to Advanced Chords for Ukulele
If your goal is to expand your chord vocabulary, The Advanced Guide to Ukelele Chords Series is your answer. Commonly referred to as "jazz" chords. A Guide to Advanced Ukulele Chords Volume I provides detailed information on voicing 4-part chords.
The Advanced Guide to Guitar Chords
Commonly referred to as "jazz" chords this provides detailed information on voicing 4-part chords.
Harmonic Analysis For Scale Selection And Chord Substitution
Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition. This analysis is then used to make scale selections for improvisation and chord substitution.
Ukulele - Reading Music Series
Reading Music in Open Position, Single Note Studies- Primer. Reading music is not as hard as one might think. It may be new and unfamiliar to you but is not hard when you have a proper plan of attack.
Website brought to you by
Curt Sheller
Curt Sheller Publications
www.CurtSheller.com
Hosted by MacHighway
Online Orders & shipping Information
We have been getting our products to our customers using online ordering since 2000. In all of that time (and across the hundreds of orders processed) our customers have not had one instance of credit card difficulties due to online ordering.
Our online orders are fully encrypted and our e-commerce site is directly provided by ccNow, a secure online retailer. The security technology is state of the art and your credit card information is transmitted only once.
All products are in stock and will normally be shipped out to you on the next business day.
All orders purchased here at CurtSheller.com,
JazzGuitarResources.com,
UkuleleChords.net and
UkuleleForGuitarPlayers.com
are processed using a secure shopping cart system and shipped within 48
hours USPS. Allow 7 to 10 business days for delivery. It is not our
intention to profit from shipping and handling charges. The rates are an
average cost, and intended to cover expenses only. Please do not ask how
long it will takes to get your order. All US orders are shipped USPS
Priority Mail® or USPS First-Class Mail® (under 1lb) and delivery dates
are not predictable. I do not check on an order not received until three
weeks have elapsed since it was shipped. Three weeks is not how long it
takes to get your order. Rather, it is how long it takes to convince us
that something is wrong. Some orders are returned by the USPS and we
have to wait to see if that has happened before any action is taken.
Thanks, Curt Sheller Publications.
Goods and services provided by Curt Sheller Publications (PA, United States) and sold by ccNow.com.
Other items purchased through Amazon.com and SheetMusicPlus.com are shipped by Amazon.com and SheetMusicPlus.com.
BOOKS AUTHORED BY CURT SHELLER ARE NOT AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
This web site uses safe, secure online shopping provided by ccNow.com Inc. Goods and services provided by Curt Sheller Publications (PA, United States).
Sold by ccNow.com Inc. (Delaware, USA).
Created on a Macintosh using Mac OS X and BBEdit (hosted on Mac OS X servers by itsamac.com) Site designed and maintained by Curt Sheller Publications
All trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
Site is best view on anything except Explorer (PC or Mac). Tested on Safari, Firefox on Mac and PC. Even looks good on iPhone.
And, attempting to get it OK on Explorer 6 and 7.
More site mumbo jumbo can be found here...
The links to Amazon and SheetMusicPLus contain my referrer id, so when you buy any books through these links, you also indirectly support my sites with a big thank you).
It doesn’t cost you anything and it gives me a little boost to recoup the hosting and development expenses.
This sit has ben profesionaly red. awl tpyos aree free and no aditonal chrge.
No Microsoft products were used in the creating of this website - tested in IE using Parallels on my Mac. And what a pain that is!!! - The Windows part not the Parallels.
BEST viewed using Safari or FireFox on PC or Apple. REALLY!!! IE should not be allowed on the web ;-) Use Firefox, Safari, Opera or basically anything else that is W3C compliant. Hey Braddah, Now lets have a Kani Ka Pila - Hosted on MacHighway
www.CurtSheller.com • Curt Sheller Publications © 1995 - 2008 Curt Sheller - On the web since 1995 and a Mac since 1987 (Mac II) • Kanakapila!!!
No Microsoft products were used in the creating of this website - tested in IE using Parallels on my Mac. And what a pain that is!!! - The Windows part not the Parallels.