cg.f, are you just trying to wind up yhaalhouse again? Or is this actually a useful thread?
The ukulele is a traditional instrument, but from a different green island(s). I actually played some trad on one once, but I was in Hawaii at the time, so it made a bit more sense...
Maybe if a uke was tuned in 5ths it might have possibilities. In its usual tuning though it does sound only suitable for plinky-plink comical backing for songs such as Tiptoe through the Tulips. I haven't met YH - does he look like http://www.s9.com/images/portraits/30214_Tiny-Tim.jpg ?
I have a uke and a nice Keetch-style banjo-uke but I don't take them to sessions as they would be drowned out (but they'd hardly cause offence because you wouldn't be able to hear them at all)
Check out Jake Shimabukuro on YouTube. Nothing to do with Irish music but he shows what the instrument is capable of.
The uke has potential as a melody instrument. Doesn't matter what the tuning is. The only potential problem I can see is its timbre, which is more mellow and sweet like a baby classical guitar than twangy like the sound of mandolins and zouks which we are used to hearing in Irish music.
The uke is quite an intimate instrument, the warm nylon strings soft volume make it really nice for accompanying voice in a quiet setting. The baritone size might be ok backing a fiddle or whistle, it’s basically a nylon stringed tenor guitar. Can’t imagine one holding its own in a session, though. It’s really suited for a different style of music, in my opinion. Nice try at winding up Finn and KML, tho!
Saint, there are several different tunings, the most common for soprano (which is the standard size) is g-C-E-a, where the "bass" string g is tuned up an octave, pitching it high like on a five string banjo, and the C string being actually the lowest note.
The tuning isn't a problem. If you wanted to play Irish music on it you could tune it differently if you wanted. That's what they did with 4 course bouzoukis.
Same intervals as the top 4 strings of a guitar except that the 4th string is an octave higher (so the chord shapes are the same). When you look at old popular sheet music it often gives the uke symbols and the tuning can vary according to the key of the tune. I think GCEA is the commonest.
I must admit that the uke I have is a plywood one - not a serious instrument. Phil Davidson does them for £650 upwards - a different kettle of fish altogether - http://www.davidsoninstruments.com/
A lady turned up to a session in Drumshanbo with a bright green ukulele a couple of years ago. She used it to accompany her voice, for which it worked very nicely. I can imagine the ukulele working well in a small session, providing a sparse accompaniment to one or two melody instruments. Thrashing the living daylights out of it would do neither the session nor the ukulele any good.
We have a uke at our session. It's not like he really contributes much more than his presence, which when you sit right next to him is probably a good thing. I should probably try uke instead of flute. Then Dow would even let me join his session since I couldn't ruin anything.
The ukulele is thought to be a development of the cavaquinho, the little Portuguese instrument.
This site is worth a reading (and listening!): http://www.myspace.com/cavaquinho
HAs a Bodhran player ever actually hit you in reel life Llig? I mean the way you are so insulting makes me think you have a grudge..... I bet you wouldnt say that to a drummers face And if you did i bet they'd put that old drum right over your head! did you? and did he? just curious, dont mean to be nippy ....
Michael is absolutely right. A really good bodhran player may not actually wreck a session but he is still not needed. There are very few exceptional bodhran players and the thing that above all makes them exceptional is that they don't play within earshot of me.
Excuse me this is the be rude to ukes page[ joking] how come its turned into a slag the drum?
I find it , and i bet im not alone, tedious, unwarranted, ignorant and insulting. Is that how you want to come across?
You say nothing about the drum, but plenty about yourselves. Why not give it a rest lads, you are boring, perhaps you think its funny? Ha ha ha.
ps im not a bodhran player.
I instantly thought of Jake Shimabukuro when I saw this thread, and though Dow has already beaten me to it, I'd like to second his reference. Check this out: http://decenturl.com/youtube/jake-shimabukuro
Hi curlew - yes, mine's got a nice maple neck and the inset wooden resonator like the Keech ones, but it doesn't have the Keech name on it, just a stamp that says "Ukulele Banjo". The tuning pegs slip though - I must get some better ones. It was Alvin D Keech who used to provide all the uke chords to tin pan alley sheet music in the 1930s.
I read it as well, i like the idea actually, 4 nylon strings. if it were tuned like a mandolin it could be great for tunes. Not in sessions granted, but a good volume level for flat picking guitar, and mandolin perhaps.
I have a uke but would never dream of bringing it to a session, well certainly not to play or accompany tunes, although it could be useful for John Pryne's "Let's talk dirty in Hawaiian" which we sometimes do at our regular traditional session in IRELAND.
Let's face it. The true traditional instruments are bodhran, harp, pipes, flute and fiddle. Then we have many others which have added to the flavour and enhanced the music, button boxes, mandolins, guitars, zouks and all the rest.
We did have a uke player in a session for several months, who would stroll around behind others, strumming away. Kind of distracting, not much else. He also wanted to be the featured singer, but didn't seem to know any songs; always needed someone to hold the words for him. I think he just moved on to other pastures, greener or otherwise.
I would agree with the sentiments that it nt teh instrument it's the player. Sure didn;t most all instruments come from different countries and different gernes - and what string instrument hasn't been experimented with as regards tuning?
I'm not as anti bodhran as some here BUT if I had a choice between playing with someone who played the bodhran and someone who played the uke I'd pick the uke.
That been said if I brought a uke to my session I'd be careful about slagging other string instruments or indeed the drones or basses of more "traditional" instruments
I play the ukelele,ragtime,novelty songs.My party piece is "The Ukelele Lady".I've never taking it to a session,I don't think it would fit in.not really suitable as a melody instrument and if I sat there strumming chords it would just annoy everybody.
So dafydd, got a theory as to what a wicky-wackie is exactly and why they woo trickily? Love that tune. Jim Kweskin’s Jug Band did a nice reading of it.
oldstrings – I’ve been a fan of James Hill for a few years now, if Shimabukuro is a titan, he’s a god. I wonder if he’s aware of a certain Tyneside hornpipe composer of the same name.
Jig, I bought one of those cheap ($20) ukes for that very purpose - tuning it like a mando, and bringing it in my hand luggage to practice tunes in the hotel room at night. Worked okay for a while, and then the neck started coming away from the body. Bought another for $20. Worked okay for a while, and then the neck started coming away from the body... and so on.
Anyone got ideas for the right string gauges to do this? (before I spend my next $20)
lovely instrument,and sound. Jake Shimabukuro, plays very nicely.
Referring to the thread the other day, i cant believe its the instrument that wound mickey up, really. Must have been the playing or the attitude. come on its pretty innocuous and gentle sound.
Still i wasn't there so i will reserve judgment, but id be interested in hearing a 3rd party.
Id be interested in hearing a few tunes played well on an uke.... anyone heard it done?
Nylon strings right grego? steel would crucify an instrument without a steel truss rod.
Dafydd, nylon strings yeah? Using a pick on nylon is a bit different to on steel, have to start a lot slower and build up to it.
Beg F, you obviously miss the very essence of Irish music, the soul, the raison d'etre. It is all about rhythm, steps, for dancers. There is no room for these steps at most sessions, so the steps, the very pulse of the music, are replicated, with, yes you've guessed it, a bodhran.
Without a bodhran Irish music is totally without soul.
Holy b'jeesus RichardB!!! If you put a pair of glasses on that tiny-tim.jpg you posted it would actually be VERY close to how yaahlhoose (or however he spells it) looks. Scary!
We all know you cant play the Bodhran and are just jealous..
but >>lives not worth living? << Do you ever read what you write?
How would you feel if a bunch of people made homophobic comments '' jokes'' when ever they got the chance? [reading your biog] Would it be funny?
And any one else who thinks it amusing to insult and joke about someones choice of instrument? you know who you are....
Anyhow shall we return to the subject of this post. A small nylon strung 'guitar' from Hawaii. With a lovely sound.
Interesting to see the different predecessors or similar instruments. Wonder what its heritage actually is....
Somehow, though, the uke lacks... something, I don't know. Gravitas? It's unassuming nature is part of its charm, but, in a session? Preconceptions are powerful things. I'd have to hear it done well to be a believer.
Nylon strings right grego? steel would crucify an instrument without a steel truss rod.
Dafydd, nylon strings yeah? Using a pick on nylon is a bit different to on steel, have to start a lot slower and build up to it.
I think it's really amusing to insult and joke about someone's choice of instrument because it was their choice of instrument. I chose the harmonica, so I asked for it basically and I deal with the flak with great good humour. Why wouldn't I? I'm happy and secure with my choice, as is Bliss. As for "you know who you are," we know who YOU are, don't we, Tradp......?
well steve, if it went on and on would you still think it amusing? or if people joked about say someones weight ? or drinking habits? how long would that be amusing? if at all?
So your up for a regular barrage of insults and slagging are you steve?
Well to be honest id rather act my age not my shoe size.
Bliss may well have a thick skin, but how many other folk come here see that sort of behavior and leave rapidly? How would Tommy Hayes react to it? Do we really want to alienate Traditional Irish musicians with boorish comments? Personally Ive no wish to insult or alienate anyone.
The fact of the matter is that bodhran players play a traditional Irish instrument . you dont , get over it.
What about the balalaika? anyone seen one of them at a trad sesh?
Heheh. Bliss, how thick is your skin? And which skin?
Actually, I play the bodhran as well. Most would say I "play" the bodhran, or just that I happen to have one and a stick. I could always take it to the session this Friday instead of the poor owld harmonica but I would actually like to get out alive.
Why don't you start a thread called "What is a traditional irish instrument?" Go on, traddy, it's never been done before! Honest!
Jig, poor Dow is supposed to be joking, not very successful I admit. Instead of always harping on about me playing a bodhran, I give him a real opportunity to poke fun, by admitting that I have a uke. So far, I appear to be the only one to have submitted to this discussion who actually has a uke. Now given the whole George Formby thing, that should be a subject for slagging, but Dow unfortunately for him, is a bit one dimensional in his "jokes". We should not make fun of him because of this.
My only objection to good old Dow is that he makes these "jokes" at newcomers, asking totally innocent questions. Sometimes these are new bodhran players, keeping alive a tradition with thousands of years of history. Then suddenly they find someone "joking" about bodhrans, and saying they are not instruments.
That's like saying defenders are not footballers because they are not glory hunting ball (tune) playing forwards. Unfortunately some of these newcomers take Dow seriously until they learn better. That could be damaging to the tradition, to its survival.
As an esoteric experience, Dow playing a tune on his own may be something. As a listening experience, Dow playing a tune, with my backing, would be quite something. He doesn't even need to be that good, because I am.
I should like to violently disagree, Bliss. Dow's jokes are very successful. In fact, I've never seen a Dow post that isn't an extremely successful joke. I won't have it you know, I really won't.
I have to agree that sometimes I find dows comments very funny, but i actually think that self depreciating humor to be a better vehicle for wit.
I certainly would consider him a valued member of this community, but to use the same target for humor all the time is simply too much as far as i am concerned.
Right? this is the uke slagging page yes?[joke, really , I promise]
Personally i think the uke is just a poor mans guitar, cant afford 6 strings or enough wood. Bliss do you use a plectrum or your tipper when you play the uke? [getting into the spirit of things ]
"How would you feel if a bunch of people made homophobic comments '' jokes'' when ever they got the chance? [reading your biog] Would it be funny?"
What exactly are you trying to say here, jig? Please clarify.
Taking your comment on face value: how would I feel if a bunch of people made homophobic comments [on this website]. The answer is that it wouldn't bother me at all. Why would it? After all, everyone knows that in most Irish traditional music circles (obviously this website included) it's perfectly acceptable and normal to make homophobic comments.
Now there's a topic I've never seen discussed here before...
sexist 'jokes'? racist 'jokes' might have been considered acceptable in the past ,now? would you find those funny? or acceptable?
If i was ' trying' to say something dow, it would be pretty clear.
not hidden away in some subtext. theres no need to look behind my words for something that does'nt exist.
Its a simple matter of politeness and respect ,
sbhikes, but so many instruments struggle to be heard in sessions, the mandolin , often enough the fiddle.
But are you saying that before the bodhran came on the scene (when was it the 1950s?) there was no dancing
or soul in the music ?
There was no rhythm or pulse without it ?
Really ? Amazing how the music survived without it.
…..and anyway it’s an instrument folks…not a person….stop being gits about it.
Well I don't know where all of you guys have been but I walked into a session the other night and there was 1 fiddle ,2 whistles and five four string devil players so I just turned around and walked right out again.
Funny thats what they told me as a teenager going through a whole bunch of aptitude tests, that, or a journalist. But music has always been my first love.
Besides how long do you think a politician would last if they said the things i say? If they actually told the truth? [apologies to any honest politicians who might read this].
Slim, 4 string devil players, the uke yeah? Funny i thought that was the banjo. I can tell you where ive been, and that doesnt include Oz, around here you dont get so many ukes!
Or it could simply be the fact that he never says anything of any interest or use whatsoever. I don't think you'd make a very good journalist either, Steve.
Nah, ended up as a schoolteacher, Dow. Put my classes to sleep for 25 years. At least they weren't beating each other up. i did try to get them to start there sentances with cApitol letters tho.
Just as a matter of interest, was jig (aka tradpiper and all his other pseudonyms) born a fully-fledged eejit or has he been forced to practise at becoming so all these years?
My SO has taken up the uke - she does bring along to sessions but doesn't often play it yet, as getting the chord patterns sorted, even for familiar tunes, is still not quick and automatic, like I can more easily, after 45 years of playing guitar, etc..
Where she does play it more often is in her nursery class at school, but some of the kids think it's a toy, because it's so small.
A toy, huh ?
This is a serious instrument !
A serious instrument, huh ?
You CANNOT be serious !
As Loudon Wainwright III said, no-one can be miserable whilst playing the uke !
But a uke is no more non-traditional than, say, a tenor banjo, guitar, or even the modern bodrhan.
( See earlier discussions about bodrhans with/without jingles ).
How do you define a 'serious instrument'? I've looked at the various video clips of people doing amazing feats with ukuleles,but that doesn't lead me to see it as a 'serious instrument'.
You know,there are guys who can play 'The ride of the Valkyries' tapping their teeth with a pencil,people who can play Bach on a carpenter's saw,people who can get a tune out of a length of hose pipe,all sorts of amusing circus tricks...but 'serious instruments' ?
There's that wonderful creation,the Viola d'Amore.I mean,if you wanted to design an instrument that was impossible to play,that's an example.You press the strings on the fingerboard as with a conventional violin,but then you've got more strings on the blind side of the neck,that you have to play with your thumb.
of course,there's always gonna be someone who'll see the impossible as a challenge,and will devote their whole life to doing the impossible,but I don't see the ukulele as having the range of possibility for it to be anything more than a quirky amusement.Historically,the lute and dozens of other variations on the theme all got pushed into near extinction by the modern guitar,and there's a very good reason why that happened.The range of sound and tone and the kinds of music that can be played on guitar is absolutely vast,from Segovia to Steve Vai.
if a person wanted to devote thousand of hours learning to play,why would they choose a ukulele,which is so limited and so unsuited to most types of music? Why not put the work into something with greater potential?
The lute is alive and kicking and is a wonderful instrument for accompanying the voice. As a matter of fact I'm going to hear one of the UK's best exponents of said instrument in a recital this Sunday. Depends where you look I suppose! As for limited instruments without much potential, who'd have thought that a little metal tube with six holes drilled in it and a plasticky thingie to blow down stuck on one end, all for three quid, would have any potential?
I know that the lute is alive and kicking,Steve,I've owned one myself.But at one time it was THE most popular stringed instrument.The guitar has eclipsed the lute and its siblings,because,despite the special charm of the lute,the guitar has greater possibilities.That's my point really.
If you're trying to lure me into an opinion as to whether the harmonica is a serious instrument or not...hmm,the same could be said of the penny whistle...I began by asking how 'serious instrument' might be defined.
The uilleann pipes are without doubt a serious instrument, but have been eclipsed by the fiddle to the same extent that the lute/cittern/etc. has been eclipsed by the guitar.
Any instrument is a serious instrument when it is used properly. There may be a time and place for a comb and paper kazoo, when nothing else will do.
Nothing about a uke makes it toylike, except for the size, in which case you aren't looking at the uke for what it is, but comparing it to something else.
Well,I don't think size has any relevance.Who decides what 'properly' is? Did someone say uke is a toy? i didn't. i can understand someone devoting themselves to,say,the cello,because it has the potential would reward the effort,it can cope with sublime profound music,so it's a serious instrument in that sense.
"You know,there are guys who can play 'The ride of the Valkyries' tapping their teeth with a pencil,people who can play Bach on a carpenter's saw,people who can get a tune out of a length of hose pipe,all sorts of amusing circus tricks...."
They're only 'amusing circus tricks' because they defy our expectations.
Of course,NameChanges.They are designed to attract a crowd and/or engage the curiosity of the public.That's not the same thing as playing music for the sake of music.
I'm not knocking people who perform in circuses (or anywhere else for that matter).I'm questioning whether some instruments,e.g.
ukulele,or kazoo,or whatever,can be considered as 'serious instruments' as was suggested above.
I mean,in a sense,a musical instrument is a tool designed to perform a function.Why would anyone choose a tool that did the job badly? Why not choose one that's proven to be more than adequate?
It's funny you would suggest a cello as a more serious instrument. I suppose you consider classicla music to be serious music as well. Isn't this the same kind of bigotry? Nothing about a ukulele suggests it isn't a serious instrument except some kind of notions you already bring to it.
C'mon,sbhikes! You're putting words into my mouth.You've got the wrong guy if you think I'm some sort of superior classical music freak looking down on anything whatsoever....
I asked the question.What constitutes a 'serious instrument'?
Is a conch shell a serious instrument?
I'm not really picking you out, wolf. Just the idea that ukuleles aren't serious.
Lots of others are saying pretty much the same thing. It's a real instrument. Just that Tiny Tim dude ruined its reputation. I suppose Don Ho didn't do it much good either.
Anyway, we used to have a ukulele at our session. He hasn't brought it for 3 sessions now so I finally asked him where's his uke and he said he heard through the grapevine that it didn't belong because it wasn't traditional enough. Pshaw. You can barely hear it so what difference does it make? They should keep the banjos home. Trad or not, they're just too darn loud.
I don't mind being picked out.I stuck my head above the parapet.Seems that's an invitation in these parts to get something thrown at you I prefer a spirit of amiable enquiry though.
You know,if someone manages to provide passing entertainment by playing tunes on a food mixer,I think that's great.I'm of the view that being a circus clown or punch and judy guy or anything like that is really cool,a noble calling,tops being a lawyer or politician or bank manager in my scale of estimation,anyhow.
But a 'serious instrument' has got to be something with more than one sound,something you can put some artistry and expression into.I saw two examples of uke playing,'Little Wing' and 'My guitar gently weeps' that were awesome.But that's about it.The sound is so thin.The instrument is so limited.
IMHO,if those guys can coax that stuff out of a uke,imagine what they could get out of,well,there's so many others to choose from,where you've got the range of the uke and so much more in addition...
You guys will think I"m insane, but Tiny Tim, eccentric that he was, was a scholar in tin-pan alley and fin de siecle music, scouring antique stores for old sheet music and rescuing a lot of songs from obscurity. Nut case, oh yeah, and yet canny enough to be used by the 70s pop media. But I still respect his passion.
Sure fidkid."Respect the passion". Great phrase.If you gonna try and extract music out of hitting a tin can with a stick,at least put some vigour and passion into it.But you could put same passion into more sophisticated instruments.But,hey,it's showbiz.Bring on the fire eaters and rodeo riders! let's have some fun...'Cept this is supposed to be irish trad,where music has priority over spectacle...
but you've got another great point,'respect the eccentricity',it takes a lot of courage to go against the common consensus and do your own thing.If someone wants to devote themselves to some crazy pursuit,good on 'em,so long as it's relatively harmless.I don't think many people have been killed or seriously injured by ukeleles,at least not yet.Or harmonicas,for that matter
Actually, people have been killed by harmonicas but you really don't want me to dwell on it. Nice digging, wolfbird. I played the harmonica all night in Irish music last night and was serious, was taken seriously, was mainstream and was anything but eccentric. Normal tune-playing, variation, ornamentation, expression through tonal variation, lift, listening and interacting, the lot. Even though I say so myself (and I do). Even non-patronisingly relatively harmless. One day a ukelele player will swan into your session and wow you with his or her wonderfully-varied and skilled way of playing the tunes. I'd love to see your face. Your problem is that you're seeing the instruments as the sophisticated things. I've tried to say it before on a number of occasions. Instruments don't play music. They sit there all dead until someone picks them up.
How can we have a discussion on the merits of the ukulele and not mention the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain ?
They do a great version of the traditional Yorkshire ballad Wuthering Heights.......
And don't forget Peter Sellers' solo on Steeleye Span's New York Girls......that little East Finchley scout could certainly strum the catgut.
ukuleles at sessions
ukuleles at sessions
has anyone ever heard one of these at a session? do they contribute to the music? where did they come from?
# Posted on November 14th 2007 by cg.f
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Never heard of it, though in the right hands, they have a magical sound and would surely add something (good).
# Posted on November 14th 2007 by drone
Re: ukuleles at sessions
I was at a session once which had two ukeleles and a saw. If only they had got together....
# Posted on November 14th 2007 by JerryH
Re: ukuleles at sessions
cg.f, are you just trying to wind up yhaalhouse again? Or is this actually a useful thread?
The ukulele is a traditional instrument, but from a different green island(s). I actually played some trad on one once, but I was in Hawaii at the time, so it made a bit more sense...
Pete
# Posted on November 14th 2007 by Reverend
Re: ukuleles at sessions
I've seen and heard a little backpackers' mandolin at a session once that I thought was reminiscent of a ukulele and sounded good, and quiet.
# Posted on November 14th 2007 by PatrickJWK
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Its not the instrument, but how you play it.... mind you i never even seen a real live Uke..
# Posted on November 14th 2007 by jig
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Maybe if a uke was tuned in 5ths it might have possibilities. In its usual tuning though it does sound only suitable for plinky-plink comical backing for songs such as Tiptoe through the Tulips. I haven't met YH - does he look like http://www.s9.com/images/portraits/30214_Tiny-Tim.jpg ?
I have a uke and a nice Keetch-style banjo-uke but I don't take them to sessions as they would be drowned out (but they'd hardly cause offence because you wouldn't be able to hear them at all)
# Posted on November 14th 2007 by RichardB
Re: ukuleles at sessions
how are they tuned
# Posted on November 14th 2007 by Saint
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Check out Jake Shimabukuro on YouTube. Nothing to do with Irish music but he shows what the instrument is capable of.
The uke has potential as a melody instrument. Doesn't matter what the tuning is. The only potential problem I can see is its timbre, which is more mellow and sweet like a baby classical guitar than twangy like the sound of mandolins and zouks which we are used to hearing in Irish music.
# Posted on November 14th 2007 by Dow
Re: ukuleles at sessions
The uke is quite an intimate instrument, the warm nylon strings soft volume make it really nice for accompanying voice in a quiet setting. The baritone size might be ok backing a fiddle or whistle, it’s basically a nylon stringed tenor guitar. Can’t imagine one holding its own in a session, though. It’s really suited for a different style of music, in my opinion. Nice try at winding up Finn and KML, tho!
Saint, there are several different tunings, the most common for soprano (which is the standard size) is g-C-E-a, where the "bass" string g is tuned up an octave, pitching it high like on a five string banjo, and the C string being actually the lowest note.
# Posted on November 14th 2007 by fidkid
Re: ukuleles at sessions
The tuning isn't a problem. If you wanted to play Irish music on it you could tune it differently if you wanted. That's what they did with 4 course bouzoukis.
# Posted on November 14th 2007 by Dow
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Yeah, Dow is right, Shimabukuro is amazing at what he does.
# Posted on November 14th 2007 by fidkid
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Same intervals as the top 4 strings of a guitar except that the 4th string is an octave higher (so the chord shapes are the same). When you look at old popular sheet music it often gives the uke symbols and the tuning can vary according to the key of the tune. I think GCEA is the commonest.
# Posted on November 14th 2007 by RichardB
Re: ukuleles at sessions
I must admit that the uke I have is a plywood one - not a serious instrument. Phil Davidson does them for £650 upwards - a different kettle of fish altogether - http://www.davidsoninstruments.com/
# Posted on November 14th 2007 by RichardB
Re: ukuleles at sessions
A lady turned up to a session in Drumshanbo with a bright green ukulele a couple of years ago. She used it to accompany her voice, for which it worked very nicely. I can imagine the ukulele working well in a small session, providing a sparse accompaniment to one or two melody instruments. Thrashing the living daylights out of it would do neither the session nor the ukulele any good.
# Posted on November 14th 2007 by ragaman
Re: ukuleles at sessions
We have a uke at our session. It's not like he really contributes much more than his presence, which when you sit right next to him is probably a good thing. I should probably try uke instead of flute. Then Dow would even let me join his session since I couldn't ruin anything.
# Posted on November 14th 2007 by sbhikes
Re: ukuleles at sessions
What a strange thing to say.
# Posted on November 14th 2007 by Dow
Re: ukuleles at sessions
The ukulele is thought to be a development of the cavaquinho, the little Portuguese instrument.
This site is worth a reading (and listening!):
http://www.myspace.com/cavaquinho
# Posted on November 14th 2007 by Ramiro
Re: ukuleles at sessions
"It's not like he really contributes much more than his presence"
Ha, that is a strange thing to say. Rather like how you'd describe a really really good bodhran player.
# Posted on November 14th 2007 by llig leahcim
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Hey, Richard B, I've got one of those Keetch Banjo Ukes, never tried Irish tunes on it though, just a couple of George Formby numbers badly.
I've seen Brian May play one on stage too.
# Posted on November 14th 2007 by curlew
Re: ukuleles at sessions
HAs a Bodhran player ever actually hit you in reel life Llig? I mean the way you are so insulting makes me think you have a grudge..... I bet you wouldnt say that to a drummers face
And if you did i bet they'd put that old drum right over your head! did you? and did he? just curious, dont mean to be nippy ....
# Posted on November 14th 2007 by jig
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Michael is absolutely right. A really good bodhran player may not actually wreck a session but he is still not needed. There are very few exceptional bodhran players and the thing that above all makes them exceptional is that they don't play within earshot of me.
# Posted on November 14th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Excuse me this is the be rude to ukes page[ joking] how come its turned into a slag the drum?
I find it , and i bet im not alone, tedious, unwarranted, ignorant and insulting. Is that how you want to come across?
You say nothing about the drum, but plenty about yourselves. Why not give it a rest lads, you are boring, perhaps you think its funny? Ha ha ha.
ps im not a bodhran player.
# Posted on November 14th 2007 by jig
Re: ukuleles at sessions
I instantly thought of Jake Shimabukuro when I saw this thread, and though Dow has already beaten me to it, I'd like to second his reference. Check this out: http://decenturl.com/youtube/jake-shimabukuro
# Posted on November 14th 2007 by Nathan G
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Hi curlew - yes, mine's got a nice maple neck and the inset wooden resonator like the Keech ones, but it doesn't have the Keech name on it, just a stamp that says "Ukulele Banjo". The tuning pegs slip though - I must get some better ones. It was Alvin D Keech who used to provide all the uke chords to tin pan alley sheet music in the 1930s.
# Posted on November 14th 2007 by RichardB
Re: ukuleles at sessions
I read the other day that the ukulele is set to replace the recorder as the 'default' instrument in English schools.
# Posted on November 14th 2007 by Pete Stephenson.
Re: ukuleles at sessions
I read it as well, i like the idea actually, 4 nylon strings. if it were tuned like a mandolin it could be great for tunes. Not in sessions granted, but a good volume level for flat picking guitar, and mandolin perhaps.
# Posted on November 14th 2007 by jig
Re: ukuleles at sessions
I have a uke but would never dream of bringing it to a session, well certainly not to play or accompany tunes, although it could be useful for John Pryne's "Let's talk dirty in Hawaiian" which we sometimes do at our regular traditional session in IRELAND.
Let's face it. The true traditional instruments are bodhran, harp, pipes, flute and fiddle. Then we have many others which have added to the flavour and enhanced the music, button boxes, mandolins, guitars, zouks and all the rest.
But a uke?
# Posted on November 14th 2007 by bodhran bliss
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Here's our local uke guy, who is a classical musician on the side.
http://www.ukulelejames.com/listen.htm
We did have a uke player in a session for several months, who would stroll around behind others, strumming away. Kind of distracting, not much else. He also wanted to be the featured singer, but didn't seem to know any songs; always needed someone to hold the words for him. I think he just moved on to other pastures, greener or otherwise.
# Posted on November 14th 2007 by oldstrings
Re: ukuleles at sessions
I would agree with the sentiments that it nt teh instrument it's the player. Sure didn;t most all instruments come from different countries and different gernes - and what string instrument hasn't been experimented with as regards tuning?
I'm not as anti bodhran as some here BUT if I had a choice between playing with someone who played the bodhran and someone who played the uke I'd pick the uke.
That been said if I brought a uke to my session I'd be careful about slagging other string instruments or indeed the drones or basses of more "traditional" instruments
# Posted on November 14th 2007 by BegF
Re: ukuleles at sessions
I play the ukelele,ragtime,novelty songs.My party piece is "The Ukelele Lady".I've never taking it to a session,I don't think it would fit in.not really suitable as a melody instrument and if I sat there strumming chords it would just annoy everybody.
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by dafydd
Re: ukuleles at sessions
So dafydd, got a theory as to what a wicky-wackie is exactly and why they woo trickily? Love that tune. Jim Kweskin’s Jug Band did a nice reading of it.
oldstrings – I’ve been a fan of James Hill for a few years now, if Shimabukuro is a titan, he’s a god. I wonder if he’s aware of a certain Tyneside hornpipe composer of the same name.
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by fidkid
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Jig, I bought one of those cheap ($20) ukes for that very purpose - tuning it like a mando, and bringing it in my hand luggage to practice tunes in the hotel room at night. Worked okay for a while, and then the neck started coming away from the body. Bought another for $20. Worked okay for a while, and then the neck started coming away from the body... and so on.
Anyone got ideas for the right string gauges to do this? (before I spend my next $20)
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by grego
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Which gauge strings did you use?
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by dafydd
Re: ukuleles at sessions
I think that the tricky wicky wacky woo should remain an enigma.
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by dafydd
Re: ukuleles at sessions
I've just tried to play triplets on my ukelele with the felt plectum and it didn't really work,and a plastic plectum sounds awful.
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by dafydd
Re: ukuleles at sessions
lovely instrument,and sound. Jake Shimabukuro, plays very nicely.
Referring to the thread the other day, i cant believe its the instrument that wound mickey up, really. Must have been the playing or the attitude. come on its pretty innocuous and gentle sound.
Still i wasn't there so i will reserve judgment, but id be interested in hearing a 3rd party.
Id be interested in hearing a few tunes played well on an uke.... anyone heard it done?
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by jig
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Ukelele means "jumping flea" in Hawiaan by the way.
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by dafydd
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Nylon strings right grego? steel would crucify an instrument without a steel truss rod.
Dafydd, nylon strings yeah? Using a pick on nylon is a bit different to on steel, have to start a lot slower and build up to it.
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by jig
Re: ukuleles at sessions
There is of course clawhammer ukelele,old time American style but frankly those tunes sound better on the 5 string banjo.
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by dafydd
Re: ukuleles at sessions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWhFjbCb7pc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGiSxh4LiRQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pvMC0O9fkw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dKgvqjE1xI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXVdNKciP94
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by dafydd
Re: ukuleles at sessions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxWK9keh3XI&feature=related
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by dafydd
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Beg F, you obviously miss the very essence of Irish music, the soul, the raison d'etre. It is all about rhythm, steps, for dancers. There is no room for these steps at most sessions, so the steps, the very pulse of the music, are replicated, with, yes you've guessed it, a bodhran.
Without a bodhran Irish music is totally without soul.
Take my word, and millions of others, for that.
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by bodhran bliss
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Yeah, the millions of other bodhran players. They have to believe in themselves or their lives would not be worth living.
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by Dow
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Holy b'jeesus RichardB!!! If you put a pair of glasses on that tiny-tim.jpg you posted it would actually be VERY close to how yaahlhoose (or however he spells it) looks. Scary!
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by Daniel Gott
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Yes, nylon strings jig. And I don't remember the gauges. I haven't travelled in over a year so I haven't touched the thing since.
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by grego
Re: ukuleles at sessions
We all know you cant play the Bodhran and are just jealous..
but >>lives not worth living? << Do you ever read what you write?
How would you feel if a bunch of people made homophobic comments '' jokes'' when ever they got the chance? [reading your biog] Would it be funny?
And any one else who thinks it amusing to insult and joke about someones choice of instrument? you know who you are....
Anyhow shall we return to the subject of this post. A small nylon strung 'guitar' from Hawaii. With a lovely sound.
Interesting to see the different predecessors or similar instruments. Wonder what its heritage actually is....
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by jig
Re: ukuleles at sessions
There's the 6-string uke with a really cool sound, and with the larger tenor body it might make a passable backing instrument.
http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/HF600.htm
Somehow, though, the uke lacks... something, I don't know. Gravitas? It's unassuming nature is part of its charm, but, in a session? Preconceptions are powerful things. I'd have to hear it done well to be a believer.
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by fidkid
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Nylon strings right grego? steel would crucify an instrument without a steel truss rod.
Dafydd, nylon strings yeah? Using a pick on nylon is a bit different to on steel, have to start a lot slower and build up to it.
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by jig
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Sorry i dont know how that post got there at all! very strange.
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by jig
Re: ukuleles at sessions
I think it's really amusing to insult and joke about someone's choice of instrument because it was their choice of instrument. I chose the harmonica, so I asked for it basically and I deal with the flak with great good humour. Why wouldn't I? I'm happy and secure with my choice, as is Bliss. As for "you know who you are," we know who YOU are, don't we, Tradp......?
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: ukuleles at sessions
well steve, if it went on and on would you still think it amusing? or if people joked about say someones weight ? or drinking habits? how long would that be amusing? if at all?
So your up for a regular barrage of insults and slagging are you steve?
Well to be honest id rather act my age not my shoe size.
Bliss may well have a thick skin, but how many other folk come here see that sort of behavior and leave rapidly? How would Tommy Hayes react to it? Do we really want to alienate Traditional Irish musicians with boorish comments? Personally Ive no wish to insult or alienate anyone.
The fact of the matter is that bodhran players play a traditional Irish instrument . you dont , get over it.
What about the balalaika? anyone seen one of them at a trad sesh?
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by jig
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Heheh. Bliss, how thick is your skin? And which skin?
Actually, I play the bodhran as well. Most would say I "play" the bodhran, or just that I happen to have one and a stick. I could always take it to the session this Friday instead of the poor owld harmonica but I would actually like to get out alive.
Why don't you start a thread called "What is a traditional irish instrument?" Go on, traddy, it's never been done before! Honest!
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Jig, poor Dow is supposed to be joking, not very successful I admit. Instead of always harping on about me playing a bodhran, I give him a real opportunity to poke fun, by admitting that I have a uke. So far, I appear to be the only one to have submitted to this discussion who actually has a uke. Now given the whole George Formby thing, that should be a subject for slagging, but Dow unfortunately for him, is a bit one dimensional in his "jokes". We should not make fun of him because of this.
My only objection to good old Dow is that he makes these "jokes" at newcomers, asking totally innocent questions. Sometimes these are new bodhran players, keeping alive a tradition with thousands of years of history. Then suddenly they find someone "joking" about bodhrans, and saying they are not instruments.
That's like saying defenders are not footballers because they are not glory hunting ball (tune) playing forwards. Unfortunately some of these newcomers take Dow seriously until they learn better. That could be damaging to the tradition, to its survival.
As an esoteric experience, Dow playing a tune on his own may be something. As a listening experience, Dow playing a tune, with my backing, would be quite something. He doesn't even need to be that good, because I am.
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by bodhran bliss
Re: ukuleles at sessions
I should like to violently disagree, Bliss. Dow's jokes are very successful. In fact, I've never seen a Dow post that isn't an extremely successful joke. I won't have it you know, I really won't.
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Anyway, George Formby (a fellow northern lad) didn't play a ukelele anyway.
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: ukuleles at sessions
I have to agree that sometimes I find dows comments very funny, but i actually think that self depreciating humor to be a better vehicle for wit.
I certainly would consider him a valued member of this community, but to use the same target for humor all the time is simply too much as far as i am concerned.
Right? this is the uke slagging page yes?[joke, really , I promise]
Personally i think the uke is just a poor mans guitar, cant afford 6 strings or enough wood. Bliss do you use a plectrum or your tipper when you play the uke? [getting into the spirit of things ]
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by jig
Re: ukuleles at sessions
A really good bodhran is awesome. A really good uke is barely heard. You just can't hear them.
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by sbhikes
Re: ukuleles at sessions
What's a plectrum?
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by bodhran bliss
Re: ukuleles at sessions
"How would you feel if a bunch of people made homophobic comments '' jokes'' when ever they got the chance? [reading your biog] Would it be funny?"
What exactly are you trying to say here, jig? Please clarify.
Taking your comment on face value: how would I feel if a bunch of people made homophobic comments [on this website]. The answer is that it wouldn't bother me at all. Why would it? After all, everyone knows that in most Irish traditional music circles (obviously this website included) it's perfectly acceptable and normal to make homophobic comments.
Now there's a topic I've never seen discussed here before...
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by Dow
Re: ukuleles at sessions
A plectrum is something to do with star trek bliss its a type of lazer
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by Saint
Re: ukuleles at sessions
What's a plectrum ?
About 45 pence .
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by bazouki dave and the real tooty flutey
Re: ukuleles at sessions
sexist 'jokes'? racist 'jokes' might have been considered acceptable in the past ,now? would you find those funny? or acceptable?
If i was ' trying' to say something dow, it would be pretty clear.
not hidden away in some subtext. theres no need to look behind my words for something that does'nt exist.
Its a simple matter of politeness and respect ,
sbhikes, but so many instruments struggle to be heard in sessions, the mandolin , often enough the fiddle.
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by jig
Re: ukuleles at sessions
It’s just a preference for me Bliss
But are you saying that before the bodhran came on the scene (when was it the 1950s?) there was no dancing
or soul in the music ?
There was no rhythm or pulse without it ?
Really ? Amazing how the music survived without it.
…..and anyway it’s an instrument folks…not a person….stop being gits about it.
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by BegF
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Well I don't know where all of you guys have been but I walked into a session the other night and there was 1 fiddle ,2 whistles and five four string devil players so I just turned around and walked right out again.
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by chuneboi slim
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Ever thought of becoming a politician, jig? You'd be perfect for the job.
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by Dow
Re: ukuleles at sessions
I thought Plectrum was a boy in Rowan Atkinson's class. A good friend of Under-Manager and Orifice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiWJWLCoH2M&feature=related
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Funny thats what they told me as a teenager going through a whole bunch of aptitude tests, that, or a journalist. But music has always been my first love.
Besides how long do you think a politician would last if they said the things i say? If they actually told the truth? [apologies to any honest politicians who might read this].
Slim, 4 string devil players, the uke yeah? Funny i thought that was the banjo.
I can tell you where ive been, and that doesnt include Oz, around here you dont get so many ukes!
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by jig
Re: ukuleles at sessions
I can't be the only one around here who's wondering what on earth it was that stopped you from becoming a journalist.
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Well, it helps if you can punctuate your sentences properly for a start.
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by Dow
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Good heavens! Is that what it is?!
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Or it could simply be the fact that he never says anything of any interest or use whatsoever. I don't think you'd make a very good journalist either, Steve.
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by Dow
Re: ukuleles at sessions
my you are so amusing, having fun lads?
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by jig
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Oh so now suddenly you have developed a sense of humour. Mission accomplished - we can all pack up and go home now.
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by Dow
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Ahh, so thats humor? This made me laugh;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KiAvmzcZbg&feature=related
more out of shock at the last bit though!
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by jig
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Nah, ended up as a schoolteacher, Dow. Put my classes to sleep for 25 years. At least they weren't beating each other up. i did try to get them to start there sentances with cApitol letters tho.
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Grego, I was alarmed to read that your neck kept coming away from your body.
I hope you're feeling better now.
Best wishes
Max
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by maxF
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Steve when are we recording that CD together "Bodhran and Blow"...........................lol
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by Saint
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Hey, I don't only blow you know!
I'll just rephrase that....
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Best not steve eh
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by jig
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Thanks Max. They bolted it back on and then gave me a few electrical zaps during a thunderstorm. I feel fine now
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by grego
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Just as a matter of interest, was jig (aka tradpiper and all his other pseudonyms) born a fully-fledged eejit or has he been forced to practise at becoming so all these years?
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by Floss the Tethers
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Back to ukes (not Irish music, but an example of possibilities):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKdhECF0-BU
Yep, depends on the player.
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by mickray
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Lovely, mickray, I enjoyed that link.
# Posted on November 16th 2007 by curlew
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Ukes have as much place in a session as a drum machine!
# Posted on November 16th 2007 by tombo
Re: ukuleles at sessions
My SO has taken up the uke - she does bring along to sessions but doesn't often play it yet, as getting the chord patterns sorted, even for familiar tunes, is still not quick and automatic, like I can more easily, after 45 years of playing guitar, etc..
Where she does play it more often is in her nursery class at school, but some of the kids think it's a toy, because it's so small.
A toy, huh ?
This is a serious instrument !
A serious instrument, huh ?
You CANNOT be serious !
As Loudon Wainwright III said, no-one can be miserable whilst playing the uke !
But a uke is no more non-traditional than, say, a tenor banjo, guitar, or even the modern bodrhan.
( See earlier discussions about bodrhans with/without jingles ).
# Posted on November 16th 2007 by Guernsey Pete
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Hi G P,
How do you define a 'serious instrument'? I've looked at the various video clips of people doing amazing feats with ukuleles,but that doesn't lead me to see it as a 'serious instrument'.
You know,there are guys who can play 'The ride of the Valkyries' tapping their teeth with a pencil,people who can play Bach on a carpenter's saw,people who can get a tune out of a length of hose pipe,all sorts of amusing circus tricks...but 'serious instruments' ?
There's that wonderful creation,the Viola d'Amore.I mean,if you wanted to design an instrument that was impossible to play,that's an example.You press the strings on the fingerboard as with a conventional violin,but then you've got more strings on the blind side of the neck,that you have to play with your thumb.
of course,there's always gonna be someone who'll see the impossible as a challenge,and will devote their whole life to doing the impossible,but I don't see the ukulele as having the range of possibility for it to be anything more than a quirky amusement.Historically,the lute and dozens of other variations on the theme all got pushed into near extinction by the modern guitar,and there's a very good reason why that happened.The range of sound and tone and the kinds of music that can be played on guitar is absolutely vast,from Segovia to Steve Vai.
if a person wanted to devote thousand of hours learning to play,why would they choose a ukulele,which is so limited and so unsuited to most types of music? Why not put the work into something with greater potential?
# Posted on November 16th 2007 by wolfbird
Re: ukuleles at sessions
The lute is alive and kicking and is a wonderful instrument for accompanying the voice. As a matter of fact I'm going to hear one of the UK's best exponents of said instrument in a recital this Sunday. Depends where you look I suppose! As for limited instruments without much potential, who'd have thought that a little metal tube with six holes drilled in it and a plasticky thingie to blow down stuck on one end, all for three quid, would have any potential?
# Posted on November 16th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: ukuleles at sessions
I know that the lute is alive and kicking,Steve,I've owned one myself.But at one time it was THE most popular stringed instrument.The guitar has eclipsed the lute and its siblings,because,despite the special charm of the lute,the guitar has greater possibilities.That's my point really.
If you're trying to lure me into an opinion as to whether the harmonica is a serious instrument or not...hmm,the same could be said of the penny whistle...I began by asking how 'serious instrument' might be defined.
# Posted on November 16th 2007 by wolfbird
Re: ukuleles at sessions
The uilleann pipes are without doubt a serious instrument, but have been eclipsed by the fiddle to the same extent that the lute/cittern/etc. has been eclipsed by the guitar.
# Posted on November 16th 2007 by grego
Re: ukuleles at sessions
I agree grego.So what qualities make a 'serious instrument' ?
Is the kazoo,or even comb and paper,a serious instrument ?
# Posted on November 16th 2007 by wolfbird
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Any instrument is a serious instrument when it is used properly. There may be a time and place for a comb and paper kazoo, when nothing else will do.
Nothing about a uke makes it toylike, except for the size, in which case you aren't looking at the uke for what it is, but comparing it to something else.
# Posted on November 16th 2007 by sbhikes
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Well,I don't think size has any relevance.Who decides what 'properly' is? Did someone say uke is a toy? i didn't. i can understand someone devoting themselves to,say,the cello,because it has the potential would reward the effort,it can cope with sublime profound music,so it's a serious instrument in that sense.
# Posted on November 16th 2007 by wolfbird
Re: ukuleles at sessions
"You know,there are guys who can play 'The ride of the Valkyries' tapping their teeth with a pencil,people who can play Bach on a carpenter's saw,people who can get a tune out of a length of hose pipe,all sorts of amusing circus tricks...."
They're only 'amusing circus tricks' because they defy our expectations.
# Posted on November 16th 2007 by ragaman
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Of course,NameChanges.They are designed to attract a crowd and/or engage the curiosity of the public.That's not the same thing as playing music for the sake of music.
I'm not knocking people who perform in circuses (or anywhere else for that matter).I'm questioning whether some instruments,e.g.
ukulele,or kazoo,or whatever,can be considered as 'serious instruments' as was suggested above.
I mean,in a sense,a musical instrument is a tool designed to perform a function.Why would anyone choose a tool that did the job badly? Why not choose one that's proven to be more than adequate?
# Posted on November 17th 2007 by wolfbird
Re: ukuleles at sessions
It's funny you would suggest a cello as a more serious instrument. I suppose you consider classicla music to be serious music as well. Isn't this the same kind of bigotry? Nothing about a ukulele suggests it isn't a serious instrument except some kind of notions you already bring to it.
# Posted on November 17th 2007 by sbhikes
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Sorry for the typos. I'm trying to use a text-only browser and I'm just not used to it.
# Posted on November 17th 2007 by sbhikes
Re: ukuleles at sessions
C'mon,sbhikes! You're putting words into my mouth.You've got the wrong guy if you think I'm some sort of superior classical music freak looking down on anything whatsoever....
I asked the question.What constitutes a 'serious instrument'?
Is a conch shell a serious instrument?
# Posted on November 17th 2007 by wolfbird
Re: ukuleles at sessions
I'm not really picking you out, wolf. Just the idea that ukuleles aren't serious.
Lots of others are saying pretty much the same thing. It's a real instrument. Just that Tiny Tim dude ruined its reputation. I suppose Don Ho didn't do it much good either.
Anyway, we used to have a ukulele at our session. He hasn't brought it for 3 sessions now so I finally asked him where's his uke and he said he heard through the grapevine that it didn't belong because it wasn't traditional enough. Pshaw. You can barely hear it so what difference does it make? They should keep the banjos home. Trad or not, they're just too darn loud.
# Posted on November 17th 2007 by sbhikes
Re: ukuleles at sessions
I don't mind being picked out.I stuck my head above the parapet.Seems that's an invitation in these parts to get something thrown at you
I prefer a spirit of amiable enquiry though.
You know,if someone manages to provide passing entertainment by playing tunes on a food mixer,I think that's great.I'm of the view that being a circus clown or punch and judy guy or anything like that is really cool,a noble calling,tops being a lawyer or politician or bank manager in my scale of estimation,anyhow.
But a 'serious instrument' has got to be something with more than one sound,something you can put some artistry and expression into.I saw two examples of uke playing,'Little Wing' and 'My guitar gently weeps' that were awesome.But that's about it.The sound is so thin.The instrument is so limited.
IMHO,if those guys can coax that stuff out of a uke,imagine what they could get out of,well,there's so many others to choose from,where you've got the range of the uke and so much more in addition...
# Posted on November 17th 2007 by wolfbird
Re: ukuleles at sessions
You guys will think I"m insane, but Tiny Tim, eccentric that he was, was a scholar in tin-pan alley and fin de siecle music, scouring antique stores for old sheet music and rescuing a lot of songs from obscurity. Nut case, oh yeah, and yet canny enough to be used by the 70s pop media. But I still respect his passion.
# Posted on November 17th 2007 by fidkid
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Who the heck wants everything serious all the time, anyway!
# Posted on November 17th 2007 by fidkid
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Sure fidkid."Respect the passion". Great phrase.If you gonna try and extract music out of hitting a tin can with a stick,at least put some vigour and passion into it.But you could put same passion into more sophisticated instruments.But,hey,it's showbiz.Bring on the fire eaters and rodeo riders! let's have some fun...'Cept this is supposed to be irish trad,where music has priority over spectacle...
but you've got another great point,'respect the eccentricity',it takes a lot of courage to go against the common consensus and do your own thing.If someone wants to devote themselves to some crazy pursuit,good on 'em,so long as it's relatively harmless.I don't think many people have been killed or seriously injured by ukeleles,at least not yet.Or harmonicas,for that matter
# Posted on November 17th 2007 by wolfbird
Re: ukuleles at sessions
That's true about Tiny Tim.He used to to perform that material under the name of Larry Love.
# Posted on November 17th 2007 by dafydd
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Actually, people have been killed by harmonicas but you really don't want me to dwell on it. Nice digging, wolfbird. I played the harmonica all night in Irish music last night and was serious, was taken seriously, was mainstream and was anything but eccentric. Normal tune-playing, variation, ornamentation, expression through tonal variation, lift, listening and interacting, the lot. Even though I say so myself (and I do). Even non-patronisingly relatively harmless. One day a ukelele player will swan into your session and wow you with his or her wonderfully-varied and skilled way of playing the tunes. I'd love to see your face. Your problem is that you're seeing the instruments as the sophisticated things. I've tried to say it before on a number of occasions. Instruments don't play music. They sit there all dead until someone picks them up.
# Posted on November 17th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: ukuleles at sessions
Puhleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeze !!!!!!!!!!!!
# Posted on November 18th 2007 by hauke
Re: ukuleles at sessions
?
Hello?
# Posted on November 18th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: ukuleles at sessions
How can we have a discussion on the merits of the ukulele and not mention the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain ?
They do a great version of the traditional Yorkshire ballad Wuthering Heights.......
And don't forget Peter Sellers' solo on Steeleye Span's New York Girls......that little East Finchley scout could certainly strum the catgut.
# Posted on November 19th 2007 by Guernsey Pete
Re: ukuleles at sessions
"Run yer claw along my gut..."
Aargh!
# Posted on November 19th 2007 by Steve Shaw