Greetings to all my dear Rising Star friends, today I am very happy to share with you a new article on my blog. I want to tell you some interesting facts about a very interesting instrument, I am referring to the Ukulele. And, as usual, at the end of the post I will present you some fan art that I have created, inspired by our beloved game, Rising Star. Without further ado, let's begin.
Source: Canva
Well, my dear friends, let's start at the beginning, the origin and birth of the instrument. It must be stressed that many associate the ukulele with the paradisiacal beaches of Hawaii, but according to legend, its history begins in a less tropical place: Portugal. The story told is that in the 19th century, some Portuguese sailors arrived in Hawaii with an instrument called cavaquinho or machete de panga.
- The Hawaiians, fascinated by its sound and the speed with which it was played, adapted it and named it "ukulele", which means "jumping flea" in Hawaiian. This name is due to the rapid movements of the fingers when playing it, which remind one of small fleas jumping. But of course each culture has a different concept about this fact or the story that is told. That's why I thought it would be interesting for you to know.
It is known that the ukulele initially had five strings, but over time it was adapted to its modern four-string form. There are various sizes of ukuleles, from the tiny soprano to the largest baritone. The soprano is the smallest and the original, perfect for those who prefer a tone, how can you say: exotic 😀. If you have large hands, you may prefer a concert or tenor, which offer a deeper sound. The baritone, on the other hand, is ideal for those looking for a tuning similar to the guitar. I personally have played the latter.
Some curious details:
- A Survival Instrument: During the Great Depression in the 1920s, guitar makers like Martin and Gibson started producing ukuleles because they were cheaper and more popular. There were even plastic ukuleles in the 1950s. Well, the latter are still made, mainly for children.
George Harrison was a big fan of the ukulele. His love for the instrument helped revive its popularity in the 90s.
Ukulele Day. Every February 2nd, International Ukulele Day is celebrated, thanks to an enthusiast who proposed this idea. Of course, it is not official, it is more within the group of fans of the instrument.
On the other hand, I cannot fail to mention some of the most famous ukulele players. First there is Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, known for his version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", he is probably the most famous. Another great name is Jake Shimabukuro. But of course, there are many more.
- The ukulele is one of the most accessible instruments to learn. Its compact size and relative ease of use make it perfect for beginners and those who already play guitar. Plus, it's great to take to the beach, to a campfire, or just to play around the house.
Rising Star Fan Art
Now, changing the subject, I present my post #72 about some of the fan art I've made with the help of DALL-E, inspired by our beloved game, Rising Star. In this post, I've used the card theme again along with several elements of the game. For example, I've added the star, some instruments and singers to give more personality to the images. Some of the images also have futuristic and retro touches, and I've added stages and concerts to give it a special touch.
The images are free to use, so you can use them from this post without any problem. I reiterate that they have been made by me with the help of DALL-E.
I hope you enjoyed this journey through the history and curiosities of the ukulele. And that you liked the fan art. See you in a new post. Until next time friends, greetings to all.
