Vol.176 / Talking About the Ukulele
As 2019 was coming to an end, I started playing this instrument.
A ukulele player whom I have always been close to kindly passed on an incredibly wonderful instrument to me.
Inside the instrument, along with the name of the maker, there was a portrait of the player. It didn’t take long for me to realize that this was far too luxurious a piece for a beginner.
It had been decades since I had privately acquired a new instrument.
Considering my age, I didn't think I would get much better. Instead, I thought, "Oh no, this might be a big challenge..." and started playing carefully.
I didn't even know how to tune a ukulele at that time.
Unlike other string instruments, the tuning doesn't simply go higher or lower in one direction—it goes up and down unpredictably.
Moreover, the interval spacing is inconsistent, with fifths, thirds, and fourths all mixed together.
According to the ukulele player who passed it on to me, "The instrument isn’t really designed for playing melodies," and "This tuning is what gives the ukulele its characteristic delicate and gentle sound."
I learned even more after getting the instrument.
There are four types of ukuleles: soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone.
This is similar to recorders, but unlike recorders, the size differences aren’t as pronounced, and all but the baritone share the same tuning.
Since I had been playing without much thought, it was quite some time before I even realized that my instrument was a tenor.
Right after I got this ukulele, the world was overtaken by COVID-19, and I went through a period without live performances.
During the stay-at-home era, it seems many people took up instruments at home, and I heard that ukuleles sold quite well.
Now, five years have passed, and just like those "unknown classmates" who started around the same time, the ukulele has become an undeniable part of my life.
For ears accustomed to the rigid resonance of Western instruments, the very tone of the ukulele is endearing.
Furthermore, the community surrounding this instrument has a heartwarming atmosphere—completely opposite to the competitive world of violin or piano, where people aim for competitions and entrance exams.
To encounter an instrument that embodies one of music’s true purposes, and to share life with those who love it—this is, without a doubt, the ultimate luxury.
＝ 2025/02/05 Moritetsuya ＝
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