My answer is that it's not the instrument. And yet, it is. The instrument is made affordable by many commercial manufacturer's, lending itself to the masses. There is something for everyone, from the cheapest toy to the 35k “one of a kinds” with inlays and exotic woods. With YouTube and music store lessons, many loner students can achieve high skills in a short time.
But the biggest thing driving this world event is community.
It's something that was lost over the last 50 years, the community bonding, and mostly due to technology. I mean, quilting clubs and bingo still gather the senior folks, but the kids, teens, young adults, and mature adults, well, it's all been about TV, computer, iPads, cellphones, notebooks, and social media. Who wants to go outside let alone go to meetings.
We see it every day, in restaurants where families sit with cell phones and notebooks, never conversing with each other, lost in some world of each ones making.
But something shifted.
We saw some cool people were being videoed holding and playing ukulele. As the idea took shape, first with musicians, adopting the ukulele sound for their style of music, followed by the local musicians gathered in front rooms to jam with fellow musicians, a new desire blossomed amongst the onlookers. And that idea was , "That looks easy and it looks like fun!" Then friends of musicians joined in, some having never played an instrument in their lives.
As this expanded, over and over, in living rooms across the world wide stage, many began to seek out other players, via ads and meetup and Facebook. Groups began to grow into clubs and some became societies.
I’ve said, “Going to a uke event is like going to a family reunion, without the drama.” Everyone is happy that you're there, and if you miss one meeting, they are worried about you. When you return, they celebrate! We haven't seen this resurgence of community since the moose and eagle clubs were in vogue.
For those who continue to scratch their heads over why the little uke creates such passion, from the youngest player to the 80 year old in his rocking chair, one needs look no further than the soul. It's what's been missing, don't you think, for a very long time.
Yes, the soul, the human spirit, it thrives on community, creativity, and music.
From the time of cave dwellers, pounding on logs, music has bound us together, in the best of times and the worst of times. It’s the glue that unites across all continents, and it’s universal regardless of the language, raising us up in our evolutionary journey.
The spirit of Ukulele, Aloha Spirit, certainly has sparked a massive evolution in the world wide community. Via YouTube, Facebook, Meetup, Blogging, as well as performers in media, everyone is inspired and everyone wants to be a part of it.
To see kids in a circle, thrilled at learning a song together, or a group of senior citizens singing and playing at a farmer's market, or teens in talent shows bolstering their voice with the melodic uke, you'll notice a common denominator. Their eyes are smiling. Eyes are the windows of the soul, they say, and I haven't seen a person yet that doesn't beam when they are playing a uke. Togetherness comes easy with the uke players. And happiness is natural when you're making music.
So this phenomenon, this movement, is not losing steam. And if anything, it's gathering souls by the thousands, like a soul magnet, and the bigger it gets, the more power it propels as it gains speed.
Since the outbreak of the Covid 19, I’ve noted that ukulele sales are skyrocketing, and beginners are flooding YouTube and Facebook looking for lessons and help. But, even in lockdown and isolation, more than lessons, everyone is looking for ways to be a part of a group, a community, a friendship with others. And this just proves the point, that we’ve been missing this all along. It’s in our nature to seek community and to be “IN” music. The little ukulele, easy to play, easy to buy, no longer viewed as a toy, has heralded a new age.
I am part of a group that started in a front room. I wasn't there in its beginnings, I was drawn into the vortex about three years later, when that twelve had grown to over two hundred members.
I had always performed with bands, originals and covers, always with guitar, till I discovered the ukulele. And after 6 months of going to events with the original group, Tampa Bay Ukulele Society, I started a beginner session group in MY living room. And from that, I created the South Tampa Ukulele Jam, almost 7years running, the Rock the UKE theme took off, and the community began to grow exponentially! Community! It’s the driving force!
And now, Tampa Bay Ukulele Society is in its tenth year on meetup, the number has surpassed over 2500 members, from all over the state of Florida, and has members all over the nation who fly in as well as some international friends of our group. Through jams, workshops, open mic's and multiple festivals, and charitable work in the community, the original group that formed in that living room some 12 years ago, created something that has a life of its own.
So, it’s not the ukulele, and yet, it is. It created a community. As Luna will tell you, it’s The Tribe!
It’s the Ukulele AND it’s the Tribe! We can all be a part of one big tribe, together making music and memories, and lift each other up, cause that’s what good mates do!
I know that the universe works in mysterious ways. It seems to me that in a time when we all needed to come together as the human family the most, this little musical sprite has wielded its magic, and is making us whole again. Healthy minds are nurtured by music, and community and belonging. It fills our hearts with love for each other. It quenches our thirst for knowledge. It exercises our cognitive presence, being here in the moment.
So, next time you see a ukulele, if you've never tried one, pick it up, give it a whirl, and buy yourself the greatest gift you could ever have. Cause if you listen to your heart, it will lead you to a community like ours, and you will never have to be alone. Even if you're the first one in you're group, others will find you. Play it, and they will come.
Ever Strumming,
Norine Mungo
Aka 30’s Uke Girl
Tampa Bay Ukulele Society BOD
Event and Performance Coordinator
Every Day, It's An Ukulele Day
Https://www.itsaukuleleday.com
