My New Ukulele

There’s an exciting new trend sweeping the nation. Have you noticed, over the past few years, more ukuleles around you?

In 2011, the New York Times said the ukulele craze had reached a “saturation point.” That’s when Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam released his solo album, “Ukulele Songs.”

Vedder isn’t the only musician to help spread the fame of the ukulele. The uke may owe much of its current favor to a track recorded in 1988 by Hawaiian musician Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, a medley of Judy Garland’s “Somewhere over the Rainbow” and Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World.” Over the next two decades, that track was featured in numerous movie and television soundtracks, including one of my favorite movies, “Fifty First Dates.”

Here in my community, we have a “Ukulele Orchestra.” That’s not as odd as it sounds. There are countless uke groups, classes and meetups throughout the country.

I play a little guitar. I mean, I play a normal-sized guitar, but only a little bit. I could have gone the easy way and bought a baritone ukulele, which has the same fingering as guitar.  I decided that learning different chord shapes would make me a better musician, so I got a tenor ukulele.

I’m finding that playing uke is a lot different than guitar, but in many ways, easier. Soon, I’ll be joining the uke orchestra for our first meeting of the season. What will it be like to play ukulele with ten or more other people? I can’t help but think it will be silly, and that’s the point.

The uke is a happy, silly, instrument. We could use more happy and silly in the world right now.

I got my uke from Compass Music in Madeira Beach. The owner, Chris Rooney, is a fabulous musician with a soft spot for ukuleles. He helped me narrow down my uke choices by playing old rock songs on each one for me. I have yet to be able to make the uke I chose, a Kala, create any of the sounds he made it make, but I’m hopeful for the future.
Before he put my new uke in its case, he played me one more song on it, accompanying himself with a kazoo. I snapped a picture. You have to love a guy who can play a kazoo with class.

I think the ukulele trend is a good thing for America. Ukuleles are inexpensive, easy to learn and fun to play. Playing music is creative, meditative and social.

My father played ukulele. I remember him in his church pulpit, leading the congregation in old hymns with his uke. At the time, he made me cringe. Now, it’s a sweet memory. Perhaps I can make my kids cringe, too.

I’ve learned a few chords, and am working out the strumming. We’ll see what happens next.

Three Interesting Trends in Modern Music

I’ve always been a bit of a fan of rap, hip-hop and R&B. When my Deadhead friends were saying “rap is crap” I made them listen to an old recording of a young Bob Weir rapping the lyrics of “Throwing Stones.” When my feminist friends bemoan the subjugation of women in some rap lyrics and the lack of serious female rap artists I point out that the rock world is no different, and direct them to artists like Lauryn Hill and Missy Elliott.

I know the music we hear on urban contemporary radio is a far cry from the energy and creativity of the movement that started forty years ago, but I still appreciate it. It’s interesting to see how music changes from year to year, and to speculate on how it reflects our society.

Here are three trends I’ve noticed recently.

1. Humor and decent music aren’t mutually exclusive.

We know this. In the rock world we had Frank Zappa. In the pop world we have Weird Al. Hip-Hop has a sense of humor, too. Consider the popularity of LMFAO. Their name and appearance mark them as a comedy duo rather than a serious musical act, but their tracks “Party Rock Anthem” and “I’m Sexy and I Know it” are still popular in the clubs and on the airwaves.

The rap world has always placed a high value on clever rhymes, wordplay and cultural mockery, proving that you can be funny and danceable at the same time.

2. Hip-hop is losing its hate.

Maybe something shifted the day Eminem decided to record with Elton John.  Yes, there was a time when the hip-hop world seemed to align themselves with an anti-gay agenda. To those who want to dredge up those unfortunate lyrics now, I have two words for you - Adair Lion. And here’s another two words – Same Love.

3. What a difference a real estate crash makes.

It’s interesting to see how the economy drives cultural trends, and how cultural trends are reflected in music. In 2002 at the height of the housing bubble I had to tell my middle-schooler that we would not spend $100 on a pair of Air Force Ones for him, even though Nelly had to have two pair.

Now, in 2013, post-crash, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis are off to the Thrift Shop with $20 in their pocket and it’s effing awesome.

At my age it would be easy to bury myself in music from my youth, or to stick to one favorite genre to the exclusion of all others. If I did that, though, I think I would be missing some cool stuff.

The masses may sometimes be asses, but just because something is popular or mainstream doesn’t automatically make it shallow and cheap. Listening to the tight rotation of modern FM radio is annoying, and, yes, overly commercial. But America’s favorite songs reflect where we are right-now-this-minute as a culture. Today during morning drive we hear “no freedom ‘til we’re equal” and that it’s awesome to thrift shop. I’m good with that.

Believe in Music

The other day I got an email that made me cry.  I was invited to attend the 85th birthday party of my youth choir director.  Of course, the party will be an old-fashioned hymn-sing.  My schedule will not allow me to attend, but I am happy to have the opportunity to write a note to Mrs. Elliott and let her know what an important role she played in my young life.
 

Although I am not as much of a “Gleek” as I used to be, it is no secret that I am a fan of “Glee,” the television story of a high school show choir.  One of the reasons I love this show so much is it reminds me of my six years in Chapel Singers.
 

Chapel Singers was a fifty-voice ecumenical youth choir.  We designed musical church services and presented them in churches throughout the Northeast.  Our musical selections ranged from old-time hymns to show tunes to modern rock numbers.  Our theme song was a rousing rendition of “I Believe in Music.”
 

“I Believe in Music” might seem like a funny thing to sing in church.  The purpose of church is to state and strengthen our belief in God, not our belief in music, right?  But for our choir director, Alberta Elliott, it was kind of the same thing.
 

Mrs. Elliott was a middle school music teacher; the sort of teacher who has become a rare commodity these days.  In school, as in church, she had a way of bringing the best out of difficult kids, not only musically, but also personally.
 

In an email from one of her daughters, I discovered that Mrs. Elliott has a granddaughter now in college, majoring in music education.  I pray that, once graduated, Jessica will be able to follow in her grandmother’s footsteps and use music to make a real difference in the lives of young people.

From Mrs. Elliott I learned about music, and so much more.  I learned to appreciate history and tradition, and to gently blend the traditional with modern offerings.  I learned the sacred nature of creativity.  I learned to be part of a group. 
 

I am not the most musically talented person I know – far from it.  But having the ability to be part of a musical project was essential and formative for me, as it is for all young people. Mrs. Elliott taught me that music, creativity, community, character and spirituality are all woven together, and are all important.   Without that lesson, my life would have been far less rich, and far less productive.