Fascinating Facts About the Ukulele

The ukulele has been present and popular in history since approximately the 1880s. Originally from Hawaii, the ukulele is now globally recognised as one of the popular instruments of our time. Easy to play and nice to look at, many people have taken on the ukulele as their instrument of choice.

Both adults and children play the ukulele. It is very popular in youth centres and schools as youngsters find it relatively easy to get the hang of, and this encourages them to further develop their talents and skills with reading and writing music. It is also very versatile, meaning it can be played in a variety of genre of music - indie band Noah and the Whale use the ukulele in their songs but it has also been played by legends such as former Beatles star George Harrison (who used to buy ukuleles as presents for people).

Ukuleles, sometimes abbreviated to the term 'Uke', are made from both wood and plastic, although the general and original material is wood. There are, as with most things, cheaper ones available as well as very expensive models, which can be worth thousands. Cheaper models are made from laminate or ply woods, or occasionally spruce. The most valuable ones are made from a wood called Koa, which originates from Hawaii and is well known for its attractive colour and fine tone. Other expensive, but still affordable ukuleles are made from woods such as mahogany, which is also known for its distinctive colour and sturdiness.

Ukuleles also come in four different common sizes; baritone, tenor, soprano and concert. Less commonly, bass ukuleles and sopraninos can also be found, but these are at the extreme ends of the ukulele sizing spectrum. The smallest is the soprano, which in Hawaii is alo known as the standard size. This was also the original size of the instrument. The larger sizes were developed to create deeper bass and more volume as it became more widely used in concerts and festivities.

Ukuleles typically resemble a small acoustic guitar, with figure eight style bodies. However, oval ones are also made, which are called 'pineapple' ukuleles. The Kamaka ukulele company invented a paddle shaped version and even a square shape is available (this is often made from an old cigar box).

There have also been instruments that are based on the ukulele that are also well known; these include the harp ukulele and the banjo ukulele.

Ukuleles can make excellent gifts for people, especially if they are musically inclined or have expressed an interest in learning an instrument. Most retailers will include a guide book or DVD for a beginner, which means that they will not have to buy this separately. As they are classed as easy to play, some people choose not to take lessons initially, as they feel they can grasp the basics themselves. As Christmas fast approaches, it may be an ideal time to start thinking of what to buy for the important people in your life, and music is definitely a topic which inspires and interests a lot of people.