How I came to play the ukulele.
My personal story of why I play the ukulele inside…
A few years ago, being the Pearl Jam fan that I am, I was amazed at watching Eddie Vedder play the uke at some some shows. Such a simple little instrument, with a fun sound. I loved the song “Soon Forget” which was on the Binaural album. Awesome song…. I thought about playing uke for awhile, but never looked into buying one.
Sometime in 2002 I think it was, Bob’s grandfather passed away, and he gave me his old Soprano Ukulele, and a book about learning to play the baritone uke. Now, I had no idea what size was what on ukes then… so i ended up learning ALL wrong at first… and the uke, as I learned was just a cheapy starter uke, probably 20 bucks, by the Santa Rosa music company. Still, I loved playing it just for fun. I got it to sound really nice, and would practice in my kitchen while I was cooking or doing other mindless things. I named the first Uke, BUD, after Bob’s grandpap. This uke is now retired and hangs next to the tiki bar in his honor.
I found for me, the uke was a REAL stress reliever. When I was feeling like punching someone’s head in, or depressed over something, I’d pick up the uke and just strum my worries away. It was magical. Since drawing was pretty much NOT a hobby for me, I finally found an honest to god hobby I enjoyed and benefited from.
The more I learned about the uke, the more I learned that I needed a Tenor uke to get the sound that I wanted. Soprano was a bit too sweet for my ears. My second uke was a Tenor Hilo package I bought from Roy Cone at ukuleleworld.com [Link] - Great deal with a case, course book, pitch pipe, etc… This was the uke I REALLY cut my teeth on, learning the proper way to play, etc.
Now, I must warn you, ukuleles are addictive. Once you get bit by the uke bug, you’ll find yourself wanting more and more… my THIRD uke I picked up from a fella selling his old Black Lava Tenor Fluke [link] - It was a deal I couldn’t pass up. I also decided to play around with a stick-on pick up and a mini-amp. Suddenly, it sounded like I was playing an electric guitar! hahahah…
That lead to my fourth uke, which had built in pickup and shadow electronics. It’s a Lanikai Cutaway tenor [link] This and the Fluke are simply my favorite ukes to play. I also got a nice stand for this uke so I can display it and keep it out and handy.
I decided NO MORE ukes then. But I did end up buying a signed Eddie Vedder soprano uke, which I sometimes play but mostly it just hangs with my PJ memorabilia.
So there you go, now all of you Yirm readers who want ukes will now be bitten by the uke bug. Enjoy it! Who knows, maybe we can all upload our crappy music to the Yirm site sometime and compare notes.
![[link]](http://ukuleleworld.com/lan_ck_te_l.jpg){kind=link}
June 30th, 2005 at 3:24 pm
What would be cool is to have an online jam session: have someone post some music, then someone else adds harmony, et cetera.
When it’s time to lay down some bass for this collaborative tune, I’ll gladly break out Count Crunchula (my awesome cheapass bass guitar) and bring the Mighty Low-End.
I hear what you’re saying about the stress relief. I started playing the Count after I made my hobby into my career, too. So, instead of drawing to mellow out like I did in high school, now I make ugly, ugly noises with my 4-string of doom.
June 30th, 2005 at 4:00 pm
The online jam session could be done using GarageBand for the Mac. I would be game to sing for it, since I don’t own a Black Uke yet…
June 30th, 2005 at 4:20 pm
Has anyone seen this one?http://www.collegehumor.com/?movie_id=159572
This is what a uke pro can do
June 30th, 2005 at 8:02 pm
Dont know if this shiz accepts html but … This is what a uke pro can do.
June 30th, 2005 at 8:04 pm
Its the same link for your convenience. Wooo. Go html of power! Man i just moved into my new place and not getting dsl till the place is fixed up, its so painfull downloading all this crap on 56.
June 30th, 2005 at 8:40 pm
hmm… pay the rent… buy a uke…
Ive seen electric purple violins before, if i see a uke like that, i’m so in!!
June 30th, 2005 at 9:49 pm
God damn it just watched that video, and damn it now i suddenly want a uke, you people god damn it!
July 1st, 2005 at 12:04 am
Just watched that video and all I can think to say is “Daaaaaaaammmmmnn!”
July 1st, 2005 at 1:30 am
God *damn* was that camera incapable of recording his right hand’s speed properly.
So Pearl Jam is indirectly responsible for the uke strips we have had our realities shattered collectively with. I’ll have to write them a thank you note to go with your own!
July 1st, 2005 at 7:36 am
I think I remember Eddie playing Uke with Neil Finn (formerly of Crowded House and Split Enz), for the Neil Finn 7 worlds concerts three years ago. Paradise wherever you are! Should be part of your Vedder memorabilia anyway
also keep up the good work. I enjoy Yirmumah very much
cheers
August 7th, 2005 at 5:01 pm
a while back I saw the video and started learning it. This shiznit is hard. It’s been aout a month and I mostly have it.
August 7th, 2005 at 5:19 pm
Be sure to record your version Jonny!
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