What do you think of when you hear the word, “luau?” Do you think of the girls in the grass skirts that shake their hips in ways that you never thought they could move? Do you think of a large pig on a spit and the meal that accompanies this Hawaiian meal? Or do you think of the large Polynesian with the tiny guitar? That tiny guitar is called a ukulele. This string instrument is extremely small, and has a name that is mispronounced and misspelled throughout the entire world. This miniature sized guitar that literally means “jumping flea” has been connected with Hawaii and that culture, almost as much as the bright-flowered necklaces that they give out at the airport – we’ve all seen the movies.
Is the ukulele just a small guitar or is it something more? Actually the ukulele does have a lot in common with its larger cousin the acoustic guitar but there are some differences that make this instrument completely unique. There are a few things that physically make the ukulele what it is. The second question you may be wondering is where did the ukulele come from musically and what different styles of music can it be played with. The third question out there might be how you can learn how to play the ukulele. This question may include some of the simple techniques that are used by most ukulele players, as well as hints on where you can go to get additional instruction. The last question that may be asked out there is for those that want to actually pick up an ukulele is where you can go to buy one and what simple guidelines need to be taken when purchasing one.