Why the Ukulele is Popular

    

The ukulele although a small musical instrument it has capture the hearts of people all round the world.  It seems everywhere the ukulele goes inspires people and bring people together.  The ukulele is often associated with Hawaii and paradise. Many modern movies as well as old ones have an ukulele scene.  Many of famous actors and actress have played the ukulele such as George Clooney. The ukulele popular because of its inexpensive price and portability, easy to play and also the people was influenced it.  Although all of these play into the ukulele being popular the influence musicians, royalty, actors played a much bigger role.

Despite the ukulele being associated with Hawaii in fact it came over with Portuguese immigrants in the 19th century. The Portuguese called the instrument Brauina. The first Hawaiian name was Pila Li’ili’i meaning little fiddler.( “Evolution of the ukulele”) A upon hearing the music from the instrument the Hawaiian people fell in love with it. In fact even the Hawaiian monarchy love it many of them become accomplish ukulele players.  King Kalakaua promote the instrument influencing Hawaiian music by establish the ukulele in it. (The Ukulele: A History. )  The ukulele has been incorporated in not only traditional Hawaiian music but also reggae, R&B and pop.  ( “ Evolution of the ukulele”)  The ukulele became popular on the mainland in 1915, after the Panama Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco.  The exposition promoted and launched a greater interest from the mainland in Hawaiian music. 

Up until the 60s and 70s the ukulele was perfect instrument due to its small size and price but some people were not convinced. For them the ukulele could did all the things other instruments could it was limiting be only for the time being. During  the Hawaiian cultural Renaissance musician and ukulele master Peter Moon was about to change that.  What he did had never been done before. He brought a whole new life to the ukulele and how people think of Hawaiian music.  Many of the ukulele masters that came after him were influenced and inspired by his playing style.  (Isle Music Jam Earns hana hou )  With new invaded music for the ukulele it change everything people though that could be done on the ukulele and in turn it set the ball rolling for bigger things for the ukulele.  With each new ukulele master that came after Peter Moon they all added something new and different that had not already been done.  Each time the ukulele got a makeover it blow people away with what could be done.  The sky was the limit for the ukulele.  

 Years later Hawaii had a new ukulele virtuoso and composer Jake   Shimabukuro.  Jake Shimabukuro also challenged what could be done the ukulele as he well known for his fast complex finger work.  His music is not only increase the popularity of the ukulele in Hawaii but also became a big hit in Japan.  ( Jake Shimabukuro) Jake Shimabukuro was not the only to make the only one to make the ukulele popular in a Japan. In the 1950s the ukulele was the entire rave with many Japanese-Hawaiian music being promoted.  In Japan of 1960 the ukulele sells started to drop. Japan had found its new craze and it wasn’t the ukulele, instead it was Rockabilly. (  Kiwaya Japan ukulele company) Rockabilly is was one of the earliest rock and roll music blends with American folk and Western. Jake Shimabukuro help the ukulele gain its popularity back in Japan.  

In 1980 the sells of ukulele on the mainland plummeted because they unpopular among people. However in 2011 the sells of ukulele went back up with some handmade Ukes selling for $10,000 even in a tough economic.  Two decades ago ukulele makers were struggling to sell their product now the demand is so high they cannot make enough.   This wave of popularity over the ukulele is believed to have been contributed after the death of former Beatle George Harrison.  ( ukuleles have gone viral)   Everyone now wanted a ukulele of their own so that they too could play like George Harrison.  People wanted to be able to say that they could be a Beatle song which sparked new popularity for the ukulele.  However even before 2011 the ukulele had gain back popularity on the mainland through Israel Ka’ano’I Kamakawiwo’ole’s song “ Somewhere over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful world.”   They were played at the closing credits in  Meet Joe Black.  The song was also played in You've Got Mailed Finding Forrester, 50 First Date along with having a tons of television shows have used the song.   Kamakawiwo'ole's version of the songs created new interest in both Hawaiian music and the ukulele from the mainland. 

The ukulele gain in its popularly both in Hawaii, Japan and the mainland was thanks to famous ukulele players, Hawaiian monarchy.  They brought their love for ukulele to the public.  With each ukulele master and artist they brought something new to the table and made people change how they viewed the ukulele.  Hawaiian monarchy King Kalakaua influence the use of ukulele in Hawaiian music. Peter Moon was the first ukulele master to change the way the ukulele had been play paving the way for others to come after him.  Jake  Shimabukuro with is fast playing style influence the younger generation of today to start playing ukulele.   Last but not least Israel Ka’ano’I Kamakawiwo’ole’s made the ukulele popular with his easy to listen songs that capture the heart of people.  Each of these  ukulele artist and the King along with many many not mentioned helped to get the ukulele it popularity.