MUSIC 318 MINICOURSE ON PLUCKED STRING INSTRUMENTS UKULELE

UKULELE The ukulele originated in the 19th century as a Hawaiian interpretation of a small guitar-like instrument brought to Hawaii by Portugese immigrants. It gained great popularity elsewhere in the United States during the early 20th century, and from there spread internationally.

SCALE AND TUNINGS OF VARIOUS TYPES Scale length[23] Total length Tuning soprano or standard 13" (33 cm) 21" (53 cm) GCEA concert 15" (38 cm) 23" (58 cm) tenor 17" (43 cm) 26" (66 cm) baritone 19" (48 cm) 30" (76 cm) DGBE

UKULELE BANDS Kani Ka Pila Ukulele band

ELECTRIC UKULELE UKULELES, LIKE GUITARS CAN BE EQUIPPED WITH PICKUPS SO THAT THE SOUND CAN BE ELECTRICALLY AMPLIFIED. SINCE THEY DO NOT HAVE STEEL STRINGS, MAGNETIC COIL PICKUPS ARE NOT PRACTICAL. PIEZOELECTRIC PICKUPS ARE MOUNTED ON THE BODY OR THE BRIDGE. SOME SOLID BOY ELECTRIC UKULELES HAVE BEEN BUILT, BUT MOST OFTEN THE PICKUPS ARE ATTACHED TO ORDINARY ACOUSTIC UKULELES.