by Joe Mendel  Several factors are at work in any musical instrument that affects the sounds we are able to hear when they are played. Materials used, method of construction, builder’s style,  strings and most importantly the player all influence the sound of an instrument.  The knowledge of the builder and their building style is [...]

by Beth Mead This is a Ukulele Standard from the turn of the century. It was written in 1912  by a woman, Beth Slater Wilson. This was very unusual for that time period in America. The song is in 3/4 time. It’s counted 1,2,3   1,2,3 At the top of the page is a suggested strum [...]

by Joe Carr [This article also appears in ukulelesessions.com as it will appeal to both mandolin and ukulele players.] Many mandolin players find their way to the delightful string based music from Brazil called choro. Choro groups typically feature the bandolim (a flat topped, roundhole mandolin,) a cavaquinho (a steel string, ukulele sized guitar,) several [...]

by Marcy Marxer A chorded melody version of an old classic folk song. A Brief History The beautiful old song “Shenandoah” dates back before it’s first publication William L. Alden’s article “Sailor Songs”, in the July 1882 issue of Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, according to wikipedia.  The song had become popular as a sea-chanty with [...]

by Marcy Marxer   Vaudeville was a theatrical genre of variety show in the from the early 1880s until the early 1930s. Dancers, singers, acrobats were all the rage. Among the finest talents were Roy Smeck and Cliff Edwards, also known as Ukulele Ike. Here’s a rendition of the classic Five Ft. Two that draws [...]

by Joe Carr Here is a solo arrangement of a old traditional English song. The words “Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme” may remind one of the melody. Arranged here in Gm, it is playable on all ukuleles and standard guitar. Special thanks to Gerald Jones for his playing on the audio file. Printable Version | Scarborough [...]