“Can you hear my ukulele,” Madonna asks the crowd before launching into a sultry cover of Édith Piaf “La Vie En Rose” in Québec City — a place where they’ll judge you if your French is bad! The pop icon…
By Greg Olwell For this #tbt, we’re going back to a thoroughly astounding short film of one of the finest groups of the 1920s. Featuring two steel guitars, two rhythm guitarists, and ukulele player, Kalama’s Quartet is still a favorite for…
BY KAREN PETERSON If playing the ukulele stimulates your appetite for more, here’s a nourishing tip—find ukulele workshops that place as much emphasis on good food as good music. “Enjoying good food and wine can equate to a passion for…
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The Japanese duo, U900, has suckered us in with their cuteness and awesome ukulele skills. Consisting of stop motion animated crocheted animals, the duo sing and play covers of classic songs like ‘Walk Don’t Run’ (above), ‘Twist and Shout’, and…
What is a Halloween treat that will keep on giving after the veil between worlds reappears and we’ve accepted our newfound cavities? Something to last longer than the other half of that last Kit-Kat bar? Learning how to play the “Monster Mash”–that’s what! You can…
Enter the world of the uke lifestyle and its vibrant community. This special section features a snapshot into the lives of 7 diverse players; an illustration of two ukers and their essential clothes, accessories, and attitudes; a guide to where…
By Adam Perlmutter The ukulele has earned its status as a serious concert instrument, but it’s really a cheerful instrument at heart. That’s what makes the whimsical design of Ortega’s Lizard-CC-GB so appropriate. Hanging out on the fretboard, with its…
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By Greg Olwell This week on #TBT we’d like to take a moment to celebrate the contributions of late ukulele master John King. Though he isn’t around to ride the Third Wave of ukulele love, he planted many seeds for today’s…
Archtop instruments have an almost mystical quality. To some, they’re the height of the luthier’s art, a labor-intensive instrument crafted to meet the needs of the most talented musicians. Perhaps part of the mystique is way these instruments are made.…