"Play the Ukulele Daily"

     Ukuleles seem to be all the rage right now.  In the shop we probably sell more ukes than anything else.  We have no idea why, but it seems like people are going crazy for them.  I guess it's because they're small and cute and not as intimidating as a guitar or banjo or whatever.  Also, it seems to me that there are no uke virtuosos out there (okay, I know there are some but they're not widely known) that are making people think they have to be really technically good to play the uke.  For the most part, people seem to think of the easy strum, strum, strum style of Tiny Tim and "Tip Toe Through the Tulips" or the song from the movie "The Jerk" with Steve Martin.  The uke seems to have built up a friendly and relaxed vibe and goes with a moonlight walk on a beach the same way a hot dog seems to go with baseball.  There was that guy Iz who made a big hit with strumming along to "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" (leaning against a palm tree on a Hawaiian beach!)  That version even got translated to the younger crowd when it was covered on the show Glee, adding definite "coolness" points.   Eddie Vedder from the rock group Pearl Jam picked up a uke a few years ago and used it on a few songs (uke in a rock band?!), and just recently put out a CD of all ukulele songs appropriately titled "Ukulele Songs", (he even does a cover of the song from "The Jerk"!) More "coolness" points!  Yay Eddie Vedder!  So, the uke is small, easy to carry around, relatively inexpensive, cute, friendly, easy on the fingers, has a laid back image, and you don't have to be awesome at it.  It's a pretty cool combination!  Maybe it's just a fad, but being that we're in the music business, we'll go with it!  We hope it lasts!

     By the way, for anyone not yet into the uke craze, we are having another UKULELE WORKSHOP for beginners and intermediate players.  We will provide ukes if you don't have one, and you'll get a coupon for 15% off the purchase of a uke from the shop! This is a perfect chance to see what all the hub bub is about.  Click here for more info.