The Ukulele's Origin Story with Samantha Muir and James Hill

[@uppercanadaweaving5589]

Thank you for sharing the fascinating history of the ukulele.

[@Sir-Uke-A-Lot]

Wonderful talk, Sam and James!!

[@lindashelburne5773]

What a wonderful conversation! Thank you both for bringing this wonderful instrument and music into the light!

[@MikeDavid_Davideos]

In the Philippines, one of the earliest record about the 'Ukulele was in a lyric of a tune called, "Naku, Kenkoy!" ("My Goodness, Kenkoy!) which was composed in 1930 by Nicanor Abelardo (one of our national artists here). 1930 is almost a hundred years already. By the way, "kenkoy" is a Tagalog (Pilipino) slang for a goofy person or slapsticks comedian. The story of "Naku, Kenkoy!" mentioned a goofy guy who always wears a baggy pants and playing his 'ukulele anywhere he go while singing in a combined random Spanish and English words (we were not fluent in Spanish nor English during the '30s so it was hilarious back then). Maybe prior to 1930, some American soldiers already brought the 'uke here in the Philippines. But the only record I found in literature was that certain novelty song and a comic strip with a character also named "Kenkoy" holding his 'ukulele

[@evanssm1]

I wanted to share this with you yesterday evening but I didn't think the character limit on the live comments would have done it justice#; I work in a university. I was quite friendly with the staff in the Music Library and, if I was working nearby, I would often pop in for a chat. One day, I happened to mention James Hill and I was showing them one of his videos when one of the lecturers came in. He was quite knowledgeable about the early history and origins of the uke. I think I must have read something online by John King as he seemed quite impressed that I seemed to know a little bit about the subject (although, whatever I knew then, has long since left the building) He then looked at the video and asked "Who's that?". I replied, "It's James Hill. He's a Canadian ukulele player." He looked puzzled for a moment then replied, "Canadian ukulele? I'm afraid I've never heard of such a thing."

[@gabitamiravideos]

😂 Canadian Ukuleles for the win!

[@mervitirkkonen7443]

So interesting! Thank you James, thank you Samantha! As a music therapist I also was delighted of the fact that the machete was suggested for therapeutic purpose on the very early days. And, the connection to the hard life of emigrants. Happy Uke Week for us all !!! (and another year with ukulele, too)

[@sandyradke6741]

Great session ! Hey Sam, looking forward to seeing you in Australia next time you are here.

[@gabitamiravideos]

I love Samantha’s playing! I didn’t know she was also a scholar!

[@kathleenebsen2659]

This 5 string bragette (?) that was played in Madeira , I guessing that it was carried to Matto Grosso in Brazil and evolved into the Viola de Cocho. This is basically a hollowed out log with a spruce sound board with little or no sound hole and strung with fishing line. It has 5 strings. Thank you so much for this session!

[@melvillepetrie1154]

Fascinating Both, thank you!

[@guitaleleoeuvre]

I missed the live-stream, but I am watching the re-play and hoping that y'all will discuss 6-string uke a little too!

[@TreyAgnew810]

This is wonderful, thank yall so much! :)

[@bobcaligiuri]

There seems to be a relationship between the small Baroque guitars by Stradivarius. They are very similar in many ways. Any thoughts?

[@gala4strings]

Thank you!❤

[@guitaleleoeuvre]

This was so fascinating! Sorry I am NOT a real ukulele player! I play "guitalele" (nothing but a small-scale guitar stealing aspects from the "ukulele"!) lol, I'm a punk/diy rock & roll snot-nosed nobody (but, this was a cool live-stream I wish I had caught live!) Missed it by an hour or two.

[@mervitirkkonen7443]

Well-well, no reason to be sorry: I myself regard me as a real ukulele-, guitalele- and guitar player. It is interesting to know the different and common aspects of them all :) Why to stuck only one of them, when I can joy of the whole continuum? Coming from the classical guitar background also I myself really questioned the reason why there should be an instrument with only 4 strings and even tune one of the strings so unlogical. Why in earth? For me the reason become in this: the sound. It really is something special with the re-entrant ukulele (if you have a good quality instrument, not the toy ones, of course). So: my own soul started to need both sides of these stringed instruments - the more bass-like part of the guitar and the "twinkling" of the ukulele. Now my problem is: I would like to make chamber music with guitar and ukulele - i feel they could magke a great douo. But I can play only one of them at time with my two hands 🤨 - so solo guitalele is one solution to this problem for me.

[@guitaleleoeuvre]

@@mervitirkkonen7443 I am really a rock and roll GUITARIST (I am unqualified to be a uke!) I REALLY AM JUST

[@guitaleleoeuvre]

Sounds like AI. God help us all!

[@michaelcarney8980]

Yes Very interesting. However I my main interest which no one remarked on..Was who was the musician who came up with the "Tuning"..of the strings..especially the 4th string the thin string and why it was positioned there..as opposed to a guitar going from thick to thin...I'm a guitar player also and at first I found that kinda awkward..However now I think its an amazing idea having the thin string placed there...I would never ever play a Ukele with a plectrum.Ive always played with my fingers ..That 4th string really can open up possibilities in soloing and self accompanying...Ide love to know who came up with that idea and their idea behind it..I think it's a fabulous instrument..you can sit in a bus or plane and have a really good time..Thank you ...

[@fishlaugh]

Captains Courageous - Rudyard Kipling

[@donnar9594]

❤❤👏🏻👏🏻🎼🎼