Plastic Fantastic: How Mario Maccaferri Revolutionized the Uke Scene
Mario Maccaferri created millions of instrument-quality plastic ukuleles and introduced a generation of baby boomers—including me—to the joys of making music.
Byron Yasui Pens a Ukulele Tour de Force for Jake Shimabukuro
By Audrey Coleman Photography courtesy of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra It’s not that nobody has ever thought of writing a concerto for the ukulele. In 1999, the Wallingford (Connecticut) Symphony Orchestra commissioned uke player-composer Jim Beloff to write Uke Can’t Be Serious:…
Uke Basics: Open-G Tuning
This audio goes along with the article in the Summer 2015 issue of Ukulele magazine.
Review: Sweet, Zippy, and a Great Time, the Goodtime Banjo-ukulele Lives Up to Its Name
For the most part, the new American-made, concert-scale banjo-ukulele features the same high-quality woods and construction for which Deering is known, at a price point that won’t break the bank.
Advertisement
Uke Basics: Audio Examples
Check out the audio examples from Ukulele Fall 2015 below: This article originally appeared in the Fall 2015 issue of Ukulele magazine. Click here for more on that issue.
Review: Ohana’s OBU-22 Bass Ukulele Packs a Punch
Ohana's OBU-22’s bass ukulele has a larger body, longer neck, and metal-core strings that are more like a miniature acoustic bass guitar than a big ukulele.
Review: KoAloha’s Naupaka Tenor and Soprano Ukuleles
I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me when I first opened the boxes from Hawaiian ukulele makers KoAloha. Surprised to find mix-and-match tops staring back at me, I squinted, did a double take, and finally took a closer…
Taimane Gardner: Reaching for the Stars
Ukulele virtuoso Taimane Gardner charts a new course with her first self-produced album, We Are Made of Stars, which showcases her singing and songwriting talents.
Advertisement
Fall 2015
Visit the ukulele’s spiritual home, Hawaii, with a special section that features rising star Taimane Gardner; an Oahu adventure that includes lunch with Eddie Kamae; five up-and-coming players to watch; Jake Shimabukuro tackles Byron Yasui’s new ukulele concerto; five classic, must-have…
Coca-Cola Commissions One-of-a-Kind Ukulele for Warren Buffett
Portland-based luthier Mark Roberts, who builds custom ukuleles recognized for their tone and signature side sound ports, got quite a surprise in March when he received a message through his website regarding a new commission. It was from Coca-Cola’s advertising…