When I first started to learn to play the ukulele, I came to learn that the general public’s perception of the ukulele is that it is more of a novelty instrument; an instrument that is fun to have but not really considered a serious instrument. I have also learned that those people that have this perception have never heard Jake Shimabukuro’s version of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” or his version of “Bohemian Rhapsody.” In addition, these people have never heard Taimane Gardener’s version of “Stairway to Heaven” or “Mission Impossible.”
You can play a lot of different styles of music with the ukulele. Yes, the ukulele has four strings and may not have as much range as a guitar. A violin, viola, cello and bass all have four strings. These four instruments are used to play classical music that is very complex. The notes played on the ukulele are the same notes.
Some of you know, I have a lot of blues songs in my repertoire; I love to play the blues! In talking to a friend of mine over coffee one morning, I told him that I love playing the blues on the ukulele. He told me, “You can’t play the blues on the ukulele.” Well, I had to retort back, “Oh yes I can and I will prove it to you.”
The next time we met for coffee, I brought my ukulele along. I reminded him that he said the blues can’t be played on the ukulele. Once I tuned up the instrument, I played a little twelve bar blues for him and then played Muddy Waters “Hootchie Cootchie Man,” Robert Johnson’s “Red Hot” and then Eric Clapton’s version of “San Francisco Bay Blues.” After that, I couldn’t help myself, I had to play a little of Beethoven’s “Fur Elise.”
Well, I think I validated my point to him. You can play different styles of music on the ukulele. It’s up to you as to what kind of music you want to play; just enjoy your journey with the ukulele! In hindsight, I think I was hornswoggled into playing for my friend at the coffee shop for his entertainment. Next time, I will open my case and maybe get a few tips to pay for my coffee.
You heard it, straight from da Cat!
Stray Cat Pat