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| Moderated by: Tony Provencher, Richard Hefner | Page: 1 2 3   |
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| Why is everyone old? | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Wed Apr 4th, 2007 12:00 am |
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1st Post |
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Roman Approved
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Please, please don't take offence to this. I am honestly intrigued by this and maybe I'm way off track. I am new to the ukulele community (about 6 months) and I'm already passionate about this instrument and culture. I really want to connect with more people in the community but it just seems like every club / player (aside from the rare Jakes and Hills) is way out of my age bracket. Don't get me wrong I'm sure just the mutual interest in this instrument would cross the age barrier. I'm just wondering where the ... say 15 to 29 year old uke players are at? I'm 25 myself and probably one of the last people you would guess plays a uke, I'm big fan of underground hip hop (the intelligent kind), I'm a pretty well known human beatboxer and I got a sleve of tattoos. Is it that this MTV age doesn't think it's "cool". I want so badly to attend the club here in Dallas, Texas and also go to the Texas Uke Fest. But, when look at the pictures online it just reminds me of a retirement home. (no offence I know those grannies would shred me). Am I looking in the wrong places, is there a young hip community of ukers? From the research I've done on the history of the uke. My assumption is the fall in popularity the instrument had arround the Tiny Tim days caused the age braket I'm searching for to not be introduced to the ukulele properly. But the die hard fans that knew the beauty of the uke before it faded stayed with it, and those are the people I'm seeing in the Fest and Club pictures? I'm just looking for guidence and opinions. Thanks. Roman myspace.com/romanbeats Last edited on Wed Apr 4th, 2007 03:58 pm by Roman |
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| Posted: Wed Apr 4th, 2007 01:52 am |
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2nd Post |
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TheBloodyIrish Approved
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I am a month away from being 20 here. The reason why everyone look "old" is that many of them are retiring or already retired. When you're not doing your 10 to 16 hours shift... well... you need something to fill that time gap. A lot of them turn to music as a hobby. Either that or electric ukes must sound like crap.
____________________ Currently learning: D-tuned Tin Whistle Projects: Tin-Can Banjo, Goatskin Banjo, Ugly Stick Dream Instruments: Banjo, Fiddle, Lambeg, Lap Guitar, Mountain Dulcimer |
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| Posted: Wed Apr 4th, 2007 02:11 am |
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3rd Post |
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Tin Ukulele Approved 
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Roman wrote: ...I am new ... already passionate about this instrument and culture... seems like every club / player ... out of my age bracket... mutual interest in this instrument would cross the age barrier... wondering where the ... say 15 to 29 year old uke players are at? I'm 25 myself ... I'm a pretty well known human beatboxer ... Is it that this MTV age doesn't think it's "cool"... Agewise, you are near the very the end of a generation (demographically speaking), the so called Generation X (the MTV Generation). I'm 38 and much closer to the beginning of the same generation. We were the one's that weren't introduced properly. But along with the current uke icons like Jake, James, and Taimane, we are in the unique position of being able to introduce it to the next generation that's coming along  .
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| Posted: Wed Apr 4th, 2007 02:13 am |
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4th Post |
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Jason Paul Approved
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I'm hip.  Have you looked around on http://www.ukuleledisco.com/clips ? While there are some older folks there, there are lots of younger people as well. BTW, I'm 36 - so I'm not that old. Jason
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| Posted: Wed Apr 4th, 2007 02:16 am |
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5th Post |
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Richard Hefner Administrator 
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I don't think you're going to find a lot of 15- to 29-year-olds into the uke. There are some for sure, but it's never going to be mainstream and it's never going to be cool to the majority of people of any age. If you like it, then play it, and maybe you can help guide the trend towards younger people getting interested. I think one reason for the hesitancy among younger people is that many of them are too concerned about getting validation for it through their peers. Most of us old farts don't care so much about that anymore... we just play what we want to play and if people like it that's nice, and if they don't like it, well they can listen to something else. In our 50s and 60s not many of us are looking for a recording contract or a spot in the top 10 on American Idol. As one song from the caveman days put it, "You can't please everyone, so you gotta please yourself." This is a good discussion and I'm sure it will get more response. I noticed that you posted it at 8:00 p.m. so most of the uke players are in bed for the night, but they'll be up bright and early and will surely strum all of you young whippersnappers into shape. 
____________________ Richard Hefner MP3 Page: http://www.ezfolk.com/audio/richardhefner Running Blog: http://old-runner.com |
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| Posted: Wed Apr 4th, 2007 02:59 am |
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6th Post |
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GX9901 Approved 
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Well, I'm about to turn 32. Don't know if that makes me old or not, but I do notice that there are a lot of people much older than me that are into ukes. There is a local uke playing group that I've been thinking about checking out. I looked at the website and saw a picture of several people with their ukes all looking like they're in their 50's. I'm kind of afraid that I won't be able to fit in if I attend one of their sessions, but I think I'll work up enough guts to join them one of these days and see what happens. I guess us "Gen X" people probably didn't get much exposure to ukes or something. I'm hoping to get my 2 daughters (20 months old & 3 weeks old) into ukes someday. We'll see what happens.
____________________ Check out my uke blog: http://gx9901ukes.blogspot.com |
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| Posted: Wed Apr 4th, 2007 05:12 am |
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7th Post |
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CZuke Approved 
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A big part of it may be that for the older players, the ukulele is a "real" instrument. It was used in popular music and entertainment in a very prominent manner in the 20's, 30's up to the 60's or so. Since then its fallen out of favor. Im in my 40's, I hadnt seen anyone but Tiny Tim play a uke until I saw Jake S. on youtube playing gently weeps. Say what you want about Tiny Tim, he probably didnt inspire people in the 70's to play ukulele in quite the same manner that Eric Clapton inspired kids to take up the guitar. Theres alot more of the younger folks out there, take alook at youtube, almost always one or two uke vids posted by teens
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| Posted: Wed Apr 4th, 2007 05:17 am |
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8th Post |
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TheBloodyIrish Approved
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Eh, I would say it's more like the '50s star such as Chuck Berry inspired people to pick up the guitar. The 60s and 70s was noted for the decline of young people learning instrument. I means with people like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton, a lot of people thought it was too hard to play the guitar. When the punk reacted against the complexity of rock in the late 70s, they simplified music again. Kids then realized that guitar is not a complex instrument. The popularity of the ukulele pretty much died with surf rock in the 60s. A lot of Hawaiian instruments did -- including the Hawaiian steel guitar. There will be a revival movement someday. When it happens, it will be a different style, but the same basic concept will still be there. Last edited on Wed Apr 4th, 2007 05:19 am by TheBloodyIrish ____________________ Currently learning: D-tuned Tin Whistle Projects: Tin-Can Banjo, Goatskin Banjo, Ugly Stick Dream Instruments: Banjo, Fiddle, Lambeg, Lap Guitar, Mountain Dulcimer |
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| Posted: Wed Apr 4th, 2007 06:20 am |
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9th Post |
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UkeForever Approved 
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Wow. Maybe "old" people have realized that corporate muzak is crap. Youth are so easily swayed by the information presented to them in various media forms, that there's not a whole lot of luck in getting them interested in anything (musical instruments included) that's not sold, pushed, or whored by a corporation. How's that for a broadbrush? As an English teacher, one of the things I hear so often among the youth is the astute, insightful observation that "this is boring." Dostoevsky, Ralph Ellison, Richard Wright, Mark Twain, WEB Dubois, Shakespeare, (and the list goes on) are all boring. Geniuses who were luminaries of their time are now "boring." Doesn't it dawn on them it's the other way around? I'm just gonna go out on a limb and guess that the ukulele would be viewed as "boring"--that is, until someone on MTV's real world does a beatbox rap using one (no, your beatbox noises do not sound like real drums, but I can't fault you entirely--you'd need a reference point in corporate music, of which there is none). As an early-thirties guy who finally let the quiet take over by quitting the corporate media game, I can honestly say that there's more wisdom and subjects worthy of interest in one old person than in a hundred youngsters. The problem in the youth today is not ADD, as some might offer, but it's IDD--interest deficit disorder. How many youth are interested in ANYTHING past passive .mp3 players, text-messaging, or various gaming devices? In my classes of bright students, the connection to the extras is tenuous, but it's there. In on-level classes ("regular"--which means low-level), the mass of youth have no way to self-entertain. If cell phones, TVs and video games were to all disappear tomorrow, those students would be lost. It's interesting that you mention the ink. I cannot imagine being happy forever with a permanent piece of artwork. If I've ever heard one, that is a metaphor for the certainty that today's youth have about their likes, dislikes, interests, etc. They honestly believe those things will never change! In essence, the rigidity that used to be associated with those of older age is now ever-present in the youth. How strange indeed, and how sad to think that one's interests will never grow or fluctuate, or even change completely. Whoa. Where did that come from? I think I'm feeling old today. Last edited on Wed Apr 4th, 2007 06:25 am by UkeForever |
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| Posted: Wed Apr 4th, 2007 09:41 am |
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10th Post |
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Tani Approved
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Hiya to Everybody! Well, I entirely agree with Mr. Hefner and UkeForever. The Thing is, I'm 48, and I don't think that the majority of "so-called" Young People enjoy themselves. They are afraid of trying new Routes, afaid to be different in some way, afraid to be away from the Crowd. Well, other People keep saying to me the "Dear Old Phrase": "Why don't you learn a proper instrument?" And they hear me playing and they enjoy it. In this "McDonald's" era, most of the People, young or not, think that on Monday you buy a Guitar, and on Tuesday you play like Eric Clapton. I've been playing Music since I was 13 years old, but I consider myself a Beginner, and a Student, at least in this Field. Take Care. Tani. Last edited on Wed Apr 4th, 2007 03:08 pm by Tani |
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| Posted: Wed Apr 4th, 2007 12:52 pm |
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11th Post |
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Roman Approved
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Richard Hefner wrote: There are some for sure, but it's never going to be mainstream and it's never going to be cool to the majority of people of any age. Never, that's a long time. I think anything done right and presented with class and style can become popular. Jack Johnson, who has a very broad fan base, has come the closest with his 10sec Uke intro to "Breakdown". If some one like Jack, Ben Harper or any other new era folk stars where to do an entire song using a Uke it would spark a respected interest in the younger groups. I just feel that the ukulele has not been presented to them in their "language". I guess my next question is, would the community be opposed to the ukulele becoming "mainstream"? I know there's alot of wonderful music, hobbies and interest out there that people want to keep underground. Maybe this is out of selfishness or that mentality that, it's theirs. UkeForever wrote: 1. Wow. Maybe "old" people have realized that corporate muzak is crap. Youth are so easily swayed by the information presented to them in various media forms. 2. ..........does a beatbox rap using one (no, your beatbox noises do not sound like real drums, but I can't fault you entirely--you'd need a reference point in corporate music, of which there is none). 1. Yes, I agree, coporate music is full of non talented puppets. But, do things have to be at a corporate level to raise interest? I think it can start as small as a city, town, or school? My personal goal (once I get a little better) is to incorporate my uke at every gig. 2. lol is this a jab? Maybe the puke on the Real World didn't sound like "real drums" but I think you need to hear a skilled beatboxer live, before you make that assumption. I guess it depends on what your idea of drums are. youtube: romanbeats 3. Yes, that maybe the problem but what is the solution? I think the .mp3, video game thing is a stereotype that is causing the good, inteligent, active kids to be ingnored. Adults / Parents complain about the youths obsession with technology but, as far as I know, 13 year old Jimmy isn't the one that dropped 600 bucks on that xbox he's glued to. Get Jimmy a uke and some karate lessons, and when he wines tell him to "shut up and color". Last edited on Wed Apr 4th, 2007 02:17 pm by Roman |
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| Posted: Wed Apr 4th, 2007 12:54 pm |
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12th Post |
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dittybopper Approved
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UkeForever wrote: The problem in the youth today is not ADD, as some might offer, but it's IDD--interest deficit disorder. How many youth are interested in ANYTHING past passive .mp3 players, text-messaging, or various gaming devices? In my classes of bright students, the connection to the extras is tenuous, but it's there. In on-level classes ("regular"--which means low-level), the mass of youth have no way to self-entertain. If cell phones, TVs and video games were to all disappear tomorrow, those students would be lost. As a 41 year old mother of two sons (17 and 9 years old), I find this to be entirely true. At 13 years old, my oldest son wanted to take guitar lessons and we were thrilled! Now at 17, he STILL cannot strum along with other players. Why? Because he and his instructor decided to learn just bits and pieces of current rock songs - no basics like music theory, chord studies, playing rhythm using a metronome. Yes, he can play, but only pieces of songs that only his generation would listen to. By the way, he loves my ukuleles but tries to play them the same way he does his guitar. I grew up during the dawn of the video game console. We had an Atari but were limited to the amount of time we could actually play and also on the time spent watching t.v. Most of my time was spent practicing the clarinet for band. My father-in-law is the band director of our local high school and I've attended quite a few events where the band performed. There is a huge difference in the playing and discipline of the students compared to when I was in band. In other words, sloppy playing and poor discipline. Now, my FIL is an excellent teacher so the blame cannot be placed on him -he is a victim of the 'no child left behind' baloney. When I mentioned what I thought about the band students, his comment was, "Yes, being easier on the kids is the only way to get any of them to sign up for the band and stay in it. Otherwise, there would be no band." How sad! When I was in school, if you hadn't signed up by the 6th grade, you could not join the music program. Now, someone wanting an easy grade in their senior year can sign up with the band without knowing how to play a thing! My FIL gives them a percussion instrument and a uniform anyway because he HAS to. Sorry to have morphed the original poster's content into a different topic. Off my soapbox now. Roman, no offense taken at all. I'm glad to hear that you are passionate about the uke and wish you continued success. Give us old geezers a chance - you might find that we are really just teenagers in old bodies.
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| Posted: Wed Apr 4th, 2007 01:21 pm |
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13th Post |
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Tani Approved
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Well, Somebody said: "The Snow is on the Roof, but the Fire is still burning down in the Fireplace! And, oops! I don't have a TV! "  Take Care! Tani.Last edited on Wed Apr 4th, 2007 01:26 pm by Tani |
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| Posted: Wed Apr 4th, 2007 01:36 pm |
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14th Post |
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davebough Approved 
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I think us guys old enough to be pre-cable grew up in a world that exposed us to much more variety in music than the post-cable niche audiences. Kids now think that the 50's and 60's were all about Rock 'n Roll. That wasn't the case. 30's and 40's crooners like Sinatra and Rosemary Clooney were still huge. Jazz had just gone through a conversion from big bands, was exploring many new directions and was huge. Lomax had exposed us to Leadbelly and the like and folk was huge. Classical was on network prime time. Country was taking off and for the first time the mainstream was being fully exposed to Black music. At night you had your choice of three networks, all heavy on Variety shows, all of which showed us a broad range of music. I think if you hang with the old ukers you will find them very accepting of youth and new ideas. I think if you listen to them you will learn something about music that you haven't been exposed to. dave
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| Posted: Wed Apr 4th, 2007 01:43 pm |
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15th Post |
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Charlie Approved 
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Hey Roman, Go to the Dallas group and they will welcome you and a few years ago I went there and there was a few young people there and we all enjoyed it togeather. I agree that most are older people and they are like me, Just trying to keep the gray matter active as much as possible. My first ukulele I purchased, I was 68 then and 74 now and will never be a great player, but I get so much from it trying to play music and stay young and when we do get old, we don't care what other people think about us as we did when we were young. I have a grand son that is 20 now and when he brings one of his friends by and they look at my instruments and they always go for the electric guitar and hunt for the amp. They pick up a ukulele and act like Tiny Tim with it, so I sold the amp. Just wanted to add to this post as a old person Charlie 
____________________ Yesterdays Tomorrow is Today http://www.ezfolk.com/audio/charlesculbertson |
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| Posted: Wed Apr 4th, 2007 02:10 pm |
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16th Post |
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garyblanchard Approved 
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Another older ukulele player here. I am 55 years old and grew up watching Arthur Godfrey play the uke on TV. Once Tiny Tim came on the music scene in the 60's, the uke got banished to the realm of novelty item. It was only my growing interest in music of the 20's and 30's that brought me to accept the uke as a real instrument. When I was still living in Maryland, I found a number of "punk" and "alternative" groups were using ukes, usually electric. There is a group of uke enthusiasts around the Boston area that get together to feature uke performers - the ages seem to vary from young to old. I feel there is an openness to the uke that your generation can foster. Starting a website is fairly easy; start a "Gen X Uke Club" on line. Find other musicians in your area and turn them on to the uke. The time has come! YOUNG UKERS UNITE!! RIGHT ON!!!!!!!! (Ooops - got carried away.) Anyway, play the uke and network. You'll find or create players of your age group. Good luck.
____________________ http://www.GBandF.com http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/919/audio.php?p=1 |
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| Posted: Wed Apr 4th, 2007 02:27 pm |
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17th Post |
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Roman Approved
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garyblanchard wrote:
Gary, you read my mind! I am definitly considering starting a "Gen X Uke Site". I think the emphasis will be to promote hip / modern / edgey uke music. I will start out with a myspace then eventually a .com Any suggestions on a club name? davebough wrote:
Dave your right, I am going to swallow my pride and attend one of the local uke meetings.
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| Posted: Wed Apr 4th, 2007 02:48 pm |
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18th Post |
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Richard Hefner Administrator
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Something you might want to be aware of is copyright laws. If you plan on having your website last over time you'll need to comply with the law. There are plenty of websites that don't, but the biggest ones have been closed down and eventually they'll work their way down to the smaller ones. 
____________________ Richard Hefner MP3 Page: http://www.ezfolk.com/audio/richardhefner Running Blog: http://old-runner.com |
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| Posted: Wed Apr 4th, 2007 03:53 pm |
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19th Post |
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charles92027 Approved 
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I have to agree with you Roman. I'm interested in ukulele, and playing folk instruments, but I have a terrible time finding people even my age (37) to play with. The local clubs are all guys and gals twenty years or more my senior, and they hold meetings during times that are inconvenient for a working man. Everytime I've tried to put a band together the people my age want to play heavy metal on electric guitars, and I only get responses from guys who are much older than me. I know people wil argue that I stand to learn a great deal from these people, but if I don't have any common interest with them, besides the music. Which makes it difficult to build a relationship, and I find that I don't want to hang out with them. The last guy I played with transposed everything to A, because that was the key he could "hear". I don't have a problem with that, but he's been playing for thirty years, and I've been playing for two - I simply can't transpose everything on the fly, and it makes it just not fun.
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| Posted: Wed Apr 4th, 2007 08:00 pm |
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20th Post |
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lynngator Approved
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I guess I'm another one of those oldie goldies with one foot in the grave. I'm 56, but between naps I write for one of the biggest cable networks, play a mean game of golf (18 handicap and going down) and paint. I've always wanted to play an instrument but never had the opportunity until I decided to take up the ukulele a couple of months ago. I'm having a blast playing all kinds of songs from 50's oldies to current hits. At first the people I told about my ukulele thought it was hilarious. I didn't give a hoot. But after hearing a song or two, they've changed their tune (no pun intended!) I still don't give a hoot. I'm doing this because it pleases ME to be able to play my favorite songs and sing along. People who criticize the uke don't know how amazing it can sound in the hands of a good player (even a pathetic beginner like me has learned a few tricks.) My first teacher (who tried to switch me to the guitar) said it was okay to stick with the uke if I would be satisfied playing "She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain" over and over. Maybe I'll seek him out and play the Clapton version of "San Francisco Bay Blues" one of these days! In the end Roman, I don't think age matters. Some of the hippest people I know are over 50 and some of the most uninteresting are under 25. Play on with the cool people you meet and enjoy! Lynn
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