Before we get down to business, two time-sensitive announcements. Firstly, we’re hoping to switch to the new theme on Thursday so the site may be inaccessible for a while. Secondly, a few weeks ago I post a clip of highlights from Annie Bacon’s Folk Opera. She’s got in touch to tell me they’re having the […]

Today I’ve been putting up posts aimed at giving people (non-uke players and new ukers in particular) a brief overview of the ukulele world. I’ll probably be adding to these in future so if you’ve got any suggestions for categories (and what should be in them) let me know in the comments. Ukulele Players Soloists […]

If you’re looking for an extensive and accurate guide, take a look at John King’s Nalu Music. The story of the ukulele starts in Europe. By the 18th Century stringed, fretted instruments had a long history. Larger instruments such as guitars and lutes had developed smaller cousins of particular benefit for sea-faring musicians. In Portugal […]

Queen Lili’uokalani Who? Hawaiian Queen 1891 – 1894. What’s so special? The ukulele really took hold in Hawaii thanks to its extensive use by the Royal Family. Queen Lili’uokalani and her brother King David Kalakaua were massive supporters of the early ukulele makers and players. She is said to have written the ultimate ukulele tune […]

Ukulelezo has been a favourite on here since I first featured one of her videos two years ago. What I didn’t know then was that she’d turn out to be such a witty and unique songwriter. I dragged her away from her constant toil recording her debut album to talk about songwriting, puns and winning […]

Each year on the blog I run a contest to find readers’ favourite ukulele video of the year. Here are the winners and other popular entries. 2012 Winner: Sophie Madeleine, Jocelyn Mackenzie & Emily Hope Price – Bei Mir Bist Du Schön Who? English singer/songwriter teamed up with the lady parts of Pearl and the […]

More than any site (yes, even this one) YouTube has been the place been have first encountered the ukulele and had an urge to pick one up. Here are the most popular ukulele videos on the site.

Ukulele & accordion is fast becoming the new ukulele & kazoo. This week’s contribution to the combo comes from Les Poupées Gonflées (literal translation = The Swollen Dolls – that has to be a French euphemism). Also this week, Seeso has moved all his covers to a new channel and has bravely reupped his cover […]

Another new uke and another new wood for Kala with the Kala Butterfly. MGM refers to it being made from bicote. He might mean bocote – the heavy grain certainly looks a lot like bocote. Either way, I don’t think it’ll make its way on to my shopping list. Two lovely vintage Favilla ukuleles: Favilla […]

Check out the Stackridge podcast on Monday for a ukulele special including George from the UOGB co-present and tracks including Uke Hunt faves the Bobby McGee’s and Mr B the Gentleman Rhymer. And there’s a performance by Fairport Convention. I’ll be heading off to Ukelear Meltdown this weekend. If you see me, say hi. I […]