A self-taught musician, Aliocha Lauwers began playing the piano at the age of 15. Since 2015, he has been teaching ukulele in elementary school, as part of an educational project aimed at introducing pupils to music and playing an instrument. Aliocha Lauwers tells us the story of the ukulele and why it's a great, practical instrument for getting started in music.

From Tiki to rock: the origins of the ukulele

The ukulele: the Tiki icon par excellence

The ukulele was originally adapted from a Portuguese instrument, the cavaquinho. Similar in size and number of strings (4), it would have been part of the voyage of settlers from Madeira Island to Hawaii at the end of the 19th century. The cavaquinho became the ukulele, gradually becoming part of local folklore until the early 1920s, when it became an icon of Tiki culture.

The rise of the uke - pronounced "youk" - began in the United States, thanks to leading figures such as Cliff Edwards, nicknamed "Ukulele Ike", a famous musician and singer who became famous for his voice as Jiminy Cricket's double in Pinocchio. This famous "Disney" voice is associated with the song When You Wish Upon the Star, a veritable anthem for the company. In 1929, this crooner had performed a version of Singin' in the Rain on ukulele, and recorded many songs accompanied by this instrument, of which he was arguably a virtuoso. Cliff Edwards became a true ambassador for the instrument, and took the uke out of its traditional context.

A little later, Elvis Presley also played an important role in popularizing the ukulele: both as a true lover of the instrument (he often traveled with one), and because he regularly associated his image with it, as on the cover ofUnder the Blue Sky of Hawaii.  

An instrument that has become popular the world over 

Over the years, the fame of the ukulele has grown thanks to many ambassadors

The ukulele has become a true companion for many musicians, including many guitarists. From the very strange Tiny Tim to Georges Harrison, who was said to rarely leave his, the ukulele has become a true companion for many musicians, including many guitarists . In France, it was a little later that the ukulele came to the fore, thanks in particular to Cyril Lefebvre, whose name is inextricably linked with the instrument. He studied, tamed and democratized the ukulele, confirming thatit can be played equally well in folk, blues and jazz music.

Cyril Lefebvre was also a founding and active member of the ukulele.fr website. Recent years have also seen Julien Doré arrive at his audition for the famous TV show with his ukulele. Although he initially amused the jury, they eventually gave him a chance, paving the way for the career he is now known for.

💡 Sometimes discredited, probably because of its size, its resemblance to toy guitars or a reductive image linked to traditional Polynesian music, this instrument has nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to the extent of its capabilities. 

3 good reasons to learn the ukulele

1. A gateway to the world of music

The first approach to a ukulele is often satisfying. Few instruments allow you to play a few chords after just an hour's initiation. For example, on a soprano ukulele (the most common), thechord of C major requires only a single-finger placement on one of the four strings, then a rubbing action to obtain a C major.

This ease of play makes it possible to quickly acquire the legendary series of magic chords: 

• C major 

• G major 

• The miner 

• F major 

With these chords, countless pop tunes can be played. Like C major, A minor can be played with one finger, F major with two. As for G, it may take a little more perseverance to get it to sound right, but without too much difficulty. 

Any budding ukulele player will be encouraged by the opportunity to play Let it Be by The Beatles, No Woman no Cry by Bob Marley, and many other songs based on this quartet of chords. There's no doubt that access to this instrument quickly yields encouraging results, thanks in particular to the ukulele initiation courses that certain associations set up in many towns for novice players. These associations take over partner bars or cafés, lending a ukulele for an evening and teaching a few chords to show that music can be easily accessible, without complicated bars or other finger contortions like on the guitar.

2. A small bag, but big possibilities

It's true that this instrument has a lot going for it, with its

The soprano ukulele is easy to use and quick to pick up for beginners, and its small size is an added bonus. In fact, the soprano ukulele is easy to transport, either in its case or directly in a suitcase. Small size also means small weight.

A beginner will easily get to his music lessons, why not by bike with the

ukulele in the basket or on the back. And when it comes to gigs, the ukulele player will be the envy of the drummers! This instrument is also very affordable. An entry-level ukulele from scale costs between 70 and 80 euros. This offers a degree of flexibility when a child wants to "try out" music.

For the more experienced musician, the ukulele is also a good companion for composing. In addition to all the advantages mentioned above, it's also easy to play augmented and diminished chords. For despite its 4 strings, its palette of nuances and harmonies is truly impressive, and always with a soft, warm sound. The ukulele is often associated with a cheerful, sometimes comic style, but it can also be imbued with more melancholy emotion. Israel Kamakawiwoʻole's celebrated cover of Somewhere Over the Rainbow is the best example.

3. An alternative to the recorder in school education 

Flute lessons, which have traumatized many, are now a rarity in the

school music courses. This may not be a bad thing for the flute (and for everyone's ears), but there has been a real loss of instrumental practice. Many teachers today prefer to teach singing, often accompanying their classes on the piano. But what about the pedagogical aspect of playing an instrument?

What if our ukulele became the ideal asset to make up for this shortcoming? It represents the perfect embodiment of accessibility, as we've just seen, while retaining the possibility of singing, which is less obvious with the flute! In France, there is a current of thought aimed at promoting the idea of replacing the recorder with the ukulele in schools.

For a number of years now, the ukulele has been a key element in the elementary school's musical awakening and learning project.

Supported by a team of teachers and musicians commissioned by the French Ministry of Education, the project launched a musical awakening program (CP to CE2) and an apprenticeship in ukulele playing (CM1 and CM2). At the end of several sessions, the pupils performed a song with vocals and ukulele practice for their families. For some, it was their very first concert. Many have no real connection with music, let alone the opportunity to learn and practice it.

The ukulele: the ideal instrument for opening up to music 

In short, the ukulele is a multi-faceted instrument: easily accessible as a musical starter, easily transportable, fairly inexpensive, ideal for children and adults alike, a perfect learning companion, a compositional asset... It's still going strong these days, with some fine representatives taking the instrument to its highest level. These include the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain and virtuosos such as James Hill, Jake Shimabukuro and many others. The advent of social networking also gives us the opportunity to witness the countless uses and capabilities of the instrument in different styles. Like this example of young Ada (aka ukulada), who masterfully covers popular songs with breathtaking virtuosity.

🎶 Are you learning the ukulele and enjoy working from home? Save your favorite tablatures to your library Newzik library library and work on arrangements remotely!