The ukulele is a small and sweet guitar-like instrument that, although originated in Hawaii, has increased in global popularity over the past years. Here are some things that you probably didn’t know about this adorable and happy-sounding instrument:

Where it all began
The ukulele was developed in the 19th century and was introduced to Hawaii by Portuguese immigrants. It originally derived from two other Portuguese instruments; the braguinha and the cavaquino, and the first one was made in 1879.

What makes a ukulele?
Ukuleles are traditionally made of Koa wood (plastic ones are also available for children), and come in four different sizes; soprano (21 inches), concert / alto (23 inches), tenor (26 inches), and baritone (30+ inches). They all have 4 strings on the notes of G, C, E, and A.

What’s in a name?
There are three theories as to where the name “ukulele” came from, which are “jumping fleas”, “jumping men”, and “gift from a distance” which was a more poetic version of the name as declared by Queen Lili’uokalani. Many people simply call it a “uke” for short.

The ukulele is a sweet and easy way to enjoy music, whether by yourself in your room or out with friends at the park. It’s small and light to carry around, and its sound is unique and cheerful. If you love the sound of this instrument and would love to learn to play it, get in touch with the School of Popular Music in Guernsey to book your lessons today.

Loved this? Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more updates.