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| HIERARCHY OF INSTRUMENTS | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Thu Jul 26th, 2007 03:30 pm |
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1st Post |
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viking Approved 
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HI one and all Whilst the thread "Fat Fingers" developed into broader topic I received a private reply, which the correspondent has now said "PUBLISH" that correspondence is here copied,unedited from my mail box ! ( obviously it's chronologically upside down, so please read from the bottom of the page). THANKS MARK Hi, Mark: I'm glad that we agree on so many points. The existence of the the "uke mafia" shows that fanaticism and zealotry is not just for religion. It should be quite obvious to any fair-minded reader that the uke has many shortcomings compared to the guitar, and anyone who disputes this should try to worm their way into a bluegrass or old timey jam armed with only a ukulele. The polite jammers will simply ignore the uke player, who will be drowned out without much trouble; the surly jammers (bluegrass players tend to be more ornery than old timey, in my experience) will jeer at the uke player and say, "get a real guitar." A uke playing rock or blues music? No bass at all. Rock and blues are all about the beat; a uke can't provide that. If the uke is hooked up to an electric guitar amp and is playing with distortion; the visual effect of a uke playing as a lead instrument is fairly ludicrous. Sorry, uke mafia. The uke is a niche instrument. It is simply not as versatile as a guitar. Feel free to post any composite of our viewpoints. I'll be there to back you up if needed. Let the fireworks begin.   -Will _____Original Message_____ From: viking Date: 2007-07-26 07:54:05 Subject: RE: Is there an heirarchy of instruments Hi Will Thanks for you thoughtful and honest reply to the question. The great shame is of course that you feel unable to reply, in such a reasoned manner, publicly, for fear of the Uke mafia. When I first posed the question I knew it would be contentious but the desire of the person who started the thread to"play the Blues" sort of pointed me towards suggesting guitar. It soon became apparent that by doing this, some felt I had inferred, that that person, should not learn the Uke. I might have got a warmer response had I suggested taking up paedophilia or international terrorism. I can't help but feel that some of the Uke responses are frankly a bit ingenuous, as to not recognise the relative merits of the guitar, as opposed to the Uke, as you have, is either blinkered or downright ignorant. Now, I can't believe that those who have replied are downright ignorant, so the former must apply. QED. Now that may seem a bit strong, but these replies have appeared in the public domain and are available to novices to stringed instruments and they suggest that a new player will and should, with time be able to master any musical style, or composition on the Ukele. I personally don't feel that that is an honest assessment of the capabilities of the Uke or its many gifted exponents. The Uke is to all intents and purposes a fun instrument, for casual entertainment, either personal, or in concert. To endow the Uke with high brow pretensions is, in my personal opinion, a dis-service to the instrument. You can play Beethoven's 5th on the Uke, but why would you?, unless it was just for fun. And by the way there is no "just" about FUN. Any way, thanks again for you reply Will, I'm putting quite a bit of thought into my rebuttal. I would and may, just post this reply ( without reference to yourself of course) but if you'll show yours, I'll show mine. After all if posts that take up contentious or contrary points of view result in being ostracised, then the whole point of this forum is lost, and I wouldn't care if I never got another reply again ( I would really, but that's no reason for keeping opinions to oneself). PUBLISH AND BE DAMNED _____Original Message_____ From: Will Date: 2007-07-24 09:40:40 Subject: RE: Is there an heirarchy of instruments I'd rather respond to your question privately than risk the on-line wrath of the uke fanatics. As a musician, I tend not to follow the crowd. I played baritone uke as a stepping stone to learning guitar. I prefer larger ukes and low-G tuning; soprano ukes to me are travel ukes. As a performing musician, I am keenly aware of the uke's limitations. I play a lot of different instruments, but the choice of instruments that I play at a particular moment depends upon the style of music and the performing situation - I may be playing solo, informally at a jam session, or in a concert with a band. In that context, there are certain instruments, such as guitar, which will fit into any situation and any type of music. On the other hand, other instruments such as ukulele, autoharp, banjo, banjo uke, strumstick, etc., are more limited to specific styles of music; therefore, I regard these other instruments as niche or specialty instruments. The guitar, for me, wins hands down as the most versatile of stringed instruments. It can play any style of music, and can provide complete accompaniment for a solo singer/instrumentalist, or can play in any band or jam context. Despite the protestations of uke fanatics, a uke cannot play the role of, nor substitute for, a guitar. True, there are a select few uke virtuosos who can break the genre barriers on a niche instrument like the uke, but most of us are not at that level. A uke cannot provide a complete backup without a bass instrument, nor is it loud enough to be heard at a string band session over fiddles, banjos, guitars, or even autoharps. A guitar's bass strings allow it to fulfill its traditional role of playing backup rhythm and accompaniment. Without even a low-G string, a uke is not much use to me even as a solo accompaniment instrument. In a band setting, I either play the uke as a specialty instrument for a solo number (banjo uke with Loose Change), or I play it as part of an ensemble in a Hawaiian band (Na Mele Aloha, although I usually play 12-string guitar). I once went on a business trip that coincided with John, my Loose Change band mate's visit to his parents and siblings; we met at his parent's house to jam. I had to fly to Indianapolis, so I couldn't bring a guitar with me on the plane; all I had was a concert uke. Needless to say, our brief old timey jam of mandolin and uke sounded less than satisfactory. Fortunately, John's nephew owned a nice Yamaha guitar that was loaned to us for the evening, and I switched over to guitar for the rest of our jam. ============================================================ I whole heartedly agree with every thing said by Ukeforever but if Martin would love to play some blues might he better of going straight to the guitar and learning blues guitar. At least it's a genre where he will have no lack of information for playing what he appears to want to play. Yes there is plenty of help on Uke, but "Blues Uke" ! Martin might find himself having to invent a whole new style, which may be a bit much to ask of a novice on stringed instruments. To track down that one good $200 Uke he could choose from a plethora of fine playing guitars at the same price. And, dare I add have much broader, musical palette to learn from and experiment with. OK I'll ask the question a little plainer. IS THERE A HIERARCHY OF INSTRUMENTS ? Does the Flute for instance have more merit as an instrument than say a Recorder Yes all instruments have there merits and some genre specific instruments ave there own special niche, but is the Piano grander than the Accordion and should one learn to play the former in preference to the later? I don't ask these questions to denigrate or put down any players or admirers of any particular instrument,after all the whole idea is to enjoy what we do and appreciate music in its many forms but the question has to stand .Does the Guitar have any ascendancy over the Ukelele ??  HEAR YOU SOON MARK
____________________ Hear You Soon MARK |
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| Posted: Thu Jul 26th, 2007 08:20 pm |
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2nd Post |
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ejsant Approved 
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Hey Mark, This question has been asked many times over and in many different music genres. It seems to me that most of the scholars of traditional music carry the most fixed views in this regard. To quote the Reverend Pete: “When speaking of a "Tradition" ('the transmission of customs from one generation to another...'), it needs to be alive. If you try to preserve it (which is something that you might do with last season's peaches), it is no longer a tradition.” Now on to the subject at hand. In the genre in which I mostly find myself participating there are definite views as to which instruments belong and which do not. There's also the debate as to which are really instruments and which are not, i.e. the bodhrán. Now to my way of thinking any instrument can be played in any genre provided the player is skilled enough on their yoke of choice with-in the chosen genre. I point to the saxophone player playing a jig with Junior Davey playing bodhrán accompaniment on yer man's last CD. Flies in the face of the die hard purists, those that wish to preserve the “tradition” such as Reverend Pete suggests like “last season's peaches” doesn't it? Each generation that a “tradition” passes through has the opportunity to add the present day context. This, in my humble uneducated opinion, is what makes traditions so great. There was a time that the banjo was not at all included in traditional Irish music. Well truth be told there are those today that feel that should still be the case but none-the-less the banjo has found it's place in the music. The bodhrán, as ancient an instrument that it is, has been used in Irish traditions (Wren Boys Celebrations) for countless generations yet has only found it's way into the music since the twentieth century (some would argue the early part and some the second half and some that it shouldn't have ever). I guess my point is that as music, both traditional and that which is of a more recent popular genre, is an open expression of many different aspects of life and as such should not, in my opinion, be limited to being played on any particular instruments. Now as a practical matter some instruments may not be able to carry their own in all settings. A uke for instance would get lost acoustically if it were played with a piano accordion. Peace, Ed
____________________ Peace, a brilliant aspiration!!! Traditional and Contemporary Irish Music P.O. Box 5086 Phillipsburg, NJ 08865 (201) 424-6141 http://www.EdSaultz.com http://www.ezfolk.com/audio/Ed_Saultz |
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| Posted: Thu Jul 26th, 2007 09:11 pm |
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3rd Post |
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theBlackman Approved 
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Tradition is. But radicals are born every minute. Music, on any instrument or in any form is not mired or fixed in concrete. Music is a living thing done by a living person with emotional synapses. As a result any tune, or instrument can, and frequently does get played in a non traditional manner or genre. I have a friend who plays guitar. He also makes that guitar sound like a Sitar, with the rythmes, Raga intonation and classical composition. Al-be-it, he is improvising as he goes. He de-tunes and retunes on the fly, without missing a beat. I have another who plays Blues, Classical music, and Jazz on a Ukelele. I take traditional tunes and change the tempo, chord structure and tune. I stay in the spirit of the piece, but don't put down any musician who plays what they feel. Music is alive. It changes with generations, it changes with venue, it changes with mood. And the dirge of yesterday becomes the joyous pean of today. Same with instruments. They become the voice of the player. And that voice is personal and valid, even if it not be "traditional". *gets off soap box and goes to "untraditionalize" another old folk tune*
____________________ Let each day start as a blank page for life to write upon. http://ezfolk.com/audio/dusty http://cdbaby.com/all/theblackman http://youtube.com/DustinFLeer |
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| Posted: Thu Jul 26th, 2007 11:59 pm |
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4th Post |
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viking Approved
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Oh This has gone of at an unexpected tangent. I am not a tradtionalist, a conservative , a purist or any other kind of ist or ive to my knowledge. I am not concerned by the reletive merits of a particular instrument in any particular genre. If someone wants to play a basson at a folk gig, thats fine by me. If the artist enjoys it , his fellow musicians don't shoot him (or her), and the audience are suitably drunk, then hey ,Play On. No, the question is- do some instruments have an inherent superiority over others. At school I played Oboe in the orchestra ( no great shakes barely competent ), when my first child brought home her first descant recorder from school ( a fully chromatic instrument with over 2 octaves John, but as has been said that top register is a Lulu and the bottom couple of notes take considerable breath control) I was able to pick up the recorder and play it pretty well and help my daughter with her lessons. She went on to be a very competent flutist. Had I played the recorder in the school orchestra and she had come home with a flute, I wouldn't have been much help. That is one of many arguments for either the Oboe or the Flute being considered a superior instrument to the recorder. The argument in no way demeans the Recorder, or its exponents, which is a delightful instrument to play and in the hands of the talented has a beautiful tone and character, but it is a pretty basic woodwind instrument and that is part of its charm. It is not a Flute which in the hands of the talented transcends the inherent capabilities of the Recorder. Now some would have it that this scale of things is not so, and suggest that some instruments will satisfy the audal and technical demands of all styles ,genres and situations. Whilst some of of us feel this is simply not so and to ignore the limitations of an instrument in favour of learning a more versatile instrument is a conceit on the part of those who would deny the superiority of some instruments over others. Hear you soom MARK
____________________ Hear You Soon MARK |
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| Posted: Fri Jul 27th, 2007 12:20 am |
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5th Post |
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theBlackman Approved
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Superiority, I think not. How-some-ever, for some specific purposes only one particular instrument is "perfect" (in that respect "superior). An organ concerto on a Ukelele doesn't make it for example, and a fife playing a Bassoon part. All instruments are just that. Instruments. In a hierachy, three might possibly assume a higher order: The Piano, Pinaforte, Harpsichord types, including carrillion, Calliope etc. Provide accompaniment, counter melody and melody by it/themself. The Organ. The same with the addition of a wider register range. The Guitar. The same with addition of rythmic nuances the others cannot provide. Beethoven called the Guitar "the little orchestra" because of its ability to do, melody, counter melody,in many registers, and bass and provide rhythm in variations that the above instruments cannot. Excepting a specific requirement for "sound" or tonality. No instrument is superior to another for the purpose of providing "music" and the enjoyment one obtains from playing or listening. Last edited on Fri Jul 27th, 2007 08:25 am by theBlackman ____________________ Let each day start as a blank page for life to write upon. http://ezfolk.com/audio/dusty http://cdbaby.com/all/theblackman http://youtube.com/DustinFLeer |
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| Posted: Fri Jul 27th, 2007 03:22 am |
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6th Post |
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neilg Approved
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You're ALL wrong. The bass is the most important instrument. It is expected to be present in all genres of Western music: classical, pop, jazz, latin, klezmer, you name it. What other instrument can make that claim?  
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| Posted: Fri Jul 27th, 2007 04:09 am |
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7th Post |
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Will Approved 
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neilg wrote: You're ALL wrong. The bass is the most important instrument. It is expected to be present in all genres of Western music: classical, pop, jazz, latin, klezmer, you name it. What other instrument can make that claim? That's easy... the guitar does all of that; plays in any musical style providing accompaniment, melody, counter-melody, harmony, and bass. The bass is not a melody instrument, jazz solos notwithstanding. Last edited on Fri Jul 27th, 2007 04:10 am by Will ____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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| Posted: Fri Jul 27th, 2007 05:08 am |
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8th Post |
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neilg Approved
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Will wrote: neilg wrote:Nah, I still win.You're ALL wrong. The bass is the most important instrument. It is expected to be present in all genres of Western music: classical, pop, jazz, latin, klezmer, you name it. What other instrument can make that claim? Sure, the guitar can play in all the styles, but the bass is specifically called for, not as a do-all or substitute instrument. Beethoven wrote double bass parts, not parts for anyone who could play the notes. Jazz combos have some instruments, and a BASS. Rock groups usually have a bass, even when there are no guitars. As for the bass not being a melody instrument, might I suggest some quality time on Youtube, search double bass solos.Did I mention I was a bass player? And, so far, a really bad ululele player. 
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| Posted: Fri Jul 27th, 2007 05:39 am |
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9th Post |
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Will Approved
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I like the bass. I have an electric bass, and someday I'll learn to play it well. Perhaps this thread should have emphasized rating the versatility of a particular instrument. A bass is primarily an ensemble instrument. Solo singers usually sing with a guitar for accompaniment, with a bass player sometimes added. Unlike a guitar, a bass does not provide complete accompaniment by itself. It plays the bottom end, one note at a time; with no chords, nor harmony. What do most solo singers play for accompaniment? A guitar. What does Paul McCartney play when he sings solo? His bass? No, his guitar. Last edited on Fri Jul 27th, 2007 05:39 am by Will ____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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| Posted: Fri Jul 27th, 2007 06:03 am |
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10th Post |
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neilg Approved
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Will wrote: I like the bass. I have an electric bass, and someday I'll learn to play it well. Interestingly enough, there are quite a few pieces written for voice and double bass, either alone or with piano. I'm working on one now. Admittedly not pop or folk music, but some composers find that combination intriguing in some way. OR, they wrote it on commission.
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| Posted: Fri Jul 27th, 2007 06:24 am |
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11th Post |
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UkeForever Approved 
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"The polite jammers will simply ignore the uke player, who will be drowned out without much trouble; the surly jammers (bluegrass players tend to be more ornery than old timey, in my experience) will jeer at the uke player and say, "get a real guitar." That's why I say better to be "ukulele mafia" than "guitar asshole."  It's easy to be a big man over private messaging. Last edited on Fri Jul 27th, 2007 06:31 am by UkeForever |
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| Posted: Fri Jul 27th, 2007 07:18 am |
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12th Post |
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Will Approved
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UkeForever wrote: "The polite jammers will simply ignore the uke player, who will be drowned out without much trouble; the surly jammers (bluegrass players tend to be more ornery than old timey, in my experience) will jeer at the uke player and say, "get a real guitar." And your point is??? I played the uke before I played the guitar. I spoke from first hand experience; a uke can't compete in volume with other louder, larger, steel-string instruments at a string band or bluegrass jam, and some players simply don't accept a non-standard instrument. (Stating this fact makes me a "guitar a--hole"?)That hasn't stopped me from playing the uke; I just recognize that it's a niche instrument that has it place; it's just not a substitute for a guitar. Mark (Viking) and I feared that this thread might devolve into a flame war. Kindly withhold the gasoline/petrol/vitriol and stick to the merits of your favorite instrument. Last edited on Fri Jul 27th, 2007 07:19 am by Will ____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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| Posted: Fri Jul 27th, 2007 07:26 am |
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13th Post |
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theBlackman Approved
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I agree with Will. If you favor a particular instrument so-be-it and God Bless. But to spout off like a 10 year old is neither polite, politic, or likely to get you liked or listened to. On the other hand, name calling only tars you with the same brush you are attempting to paint others with. There is no need to denigrate or disrespect any person on these forums. Frankly, as the moderator of some 6 other forums, I would come down heavy on posters of that ilk, and likely ban them permanently if the behaviour did not change.
____________________ Let each day start as a blank page for life to write upon. http://ezfolk.com/audio/dusty http://cdbaby.com/all/theblackman http://youtube.com/DustinFLeer |
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| Posted: Fri Jul 27th, 2007 07:41 am |
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14th Post |
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UkeForever Approved
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Any possibility of fair debate was eliminated when one group of instrument players were labeled fanatics and zealots. The intent seemed perjorative (and even if it wasn't, the discourse was), and directed at a few people (I'm guessing me, among others), so that is where the "flame war" or whatever began. Will, I know you're a multi-instrumentalist, and I don't put you or many of the folks on this board in the guitar-you-know-what category. But sadly, your words in your private e-mail above reflect the attitude of so many arrogant guitar players I meet from week to week who wield their instruments as superior while bashing out artless and cliche trash. Out of the other side of their mouths, they deride those instruments that bring variety, flavor, art, and new life into popular music. We live in a guitar-centric world. What's the sense in being an agent of the status quo? This whole thing just feels contrived to me. Musical instruments are context-imbedded, and their "superiority" depends on how well they perform in an appropriate musical setting. I don't think anyone would find the sound of Mozart's symphony in G-minor as aurally pleasing (or artful) if it were played by a large section of steel-stringed guitars. Or ukuleles. Last edited on Fri Jul 27th, 2007 08:04 am by UkeForever |
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| Posted: Fri Jul 27th, 2007 08:15 am |
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15th Post |
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Will Approved
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It is perhaps unfortunate that this thread was hastily started as cut-and-paste, and "superiority" is perhaps too subjective a term for anyone to agree upon. Nevertheless, Mark (Viking) and I were trying to discuss the comparison of versatility of certain instruments, and we stand by our viewpoints. I apologize to you, and all who are offended by the terms "uke mafia" or uke fanatics. The word "fan" (i.e. sports fan) evolved from the word "fanatic." You can certainly be a fan(atic)/zealot in support of your favorite instrument. However, when you go out on a limb and make an argument that defies common experience (stating in effect "that the ukulele can do everything a guitar can and better," and then you label those who point out counterarguments as "a--holes," you've won no one over to your cause because you haven't addressed the opposing viewpoints convincingly. Nowhere in this forum have I denigrated any player of any instrument. I count myself as a uke player, too. I merely stated my viewpoint that the uke is a great instrument that can shine in the proper situation; but I can use a guitar in more playing situations and musical styles than any other instrument. That, to me, is the definition of versatility. Yes, we live in a guitar-centric world, but actually the majority of those guitars are electric rather than acoustic. If I were "guitar-centric" I wouldn't be playing any other instruments. John, I mean you no disrespect. Perhaps you'll someday win acceptance for the uke at your local string band or bluegrass jam, through sheer force of personality and charm, but I for one, will stick to guitar or autoharp in those situations. Peace. Last edited on Fri Jul 27th, 2007 08:41 am by Will ____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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| Posted: Fri Jul 27th, 2007 12:42 pm |
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16th Post |
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jerrypro Approved 
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A musical instrument is nothing more than a tool to make music. A hammer is no more a superior tool than a screwdriver. A guitar is no more a superior tool than a ukulele. To suggest anything different smacks of elitism.  jerry
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| Posted: Fri Jul 27th, 2007 01:35 pm |
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17th Post |
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UkeForever Approved
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Wouldn't it follow that the music made on a superior instrument (in the hierarchy) is superior to other forms of music?
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| Posted: Fri Jul 27th, 2007 01:55 pm |
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18th Post |
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jerrypro Approved
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I, for one, don't even buy into the idea that there is a "heirarchy" in musical instruments. To say that one instrument is "king" is insane & juvenile. Granted, one make or model of guitar or uke may be better than another make or model of guitar or uke. But, when it comes to music, comparing one genre of instrument to another is like comparing "apples to oranges". To each his own - as for me, I'm proud of my uke(s) ! jerry 
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| Posted: Fri Jul 27th, 2007 02:23 pm |
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19th Post |
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davebough Approved 
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I like to make music. I usually play uke or harmonica (another instrument that many people seem to think of as a toy]. I think one of the reasons this discussion seemed to get so hostile is that in the earlier thread the original question was if blues was doable on a uke. One of the responses was that if you wanted to play blues, you really wanted to play guitar so why learn uke. It would have been fine to say that you felt that for a blues playera guitar offered much more flexibility and more options in the genre. I think the baritone uke in standard tuning or open tunings is an excellant blues instrument. It's not hard to find great examples on this site of good blues on the bari. There are many good reasons to prefer the guitar for blues, but I leave my guitar in the case and play my bari and/or harmonica. I have even been known to play a pizza box for percussion on a blues song. dave
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| Posted: Fri Jul 27th, 2007 03:32 pm |
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20th Post |
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viking Approved
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Mmmmmmm! When I first suggested that a beginner with a desire to play "The Blues" and was having trouble with the tight string and fret spacing on the Uke might want to consider an instrument with more general applications (including the blues) and a wider string and fret spacing, I could not have imagined that would lead to these levels of invective and paranoia. Will and I even went on to discuss the relative merits of other 4 string instruments (we are not guitar-centric) which we both own and play, with the sole intention of aiding a new member. These suggestions were given quite freely with no agenda and of course the new member in question was equally free to take up our notes or not. I think from my point of view the somewhat dubious suggestion that the Uke could cover all musical styles, was rather counter productive. It was, in my opinion a narrow minded approach to helping a novice on his route to musical Nirvana. It seemed to be based on the premise that previous suggestions had no merit in the face of the Uke's versatility and, with much practice, musical qualities. This lead me to want to question the assertion that the Uke was really as described. Unfortunately Will immediately recognised the likely response to such a question and John's (Ukeforever) comments today, have of course, rather predictably, confirmed Will's concerns. Enough history. I could at this point provide a point by point deconstruction of John's posts but I really do not see this as a helpful exercise. Instead I shall post my, personnel, and completely subjective thoughts on this Guitar/Uke theme. "I'm leaning on lamppost, On the corner of the street, In case a certain little lady comes by." The most commercially successful exponent of the art of Ukulele was a Brit. Mr George Formby. This guy didn't just play coffee shops and small niche venues, or pick up a Uke in the middle of a stadium set to play one song. He was huge! He could pack every seat in any theatre in the UK. During a summer season in Blackpool he would fill the auditorium twice a day 7 days a week from April to November . George went into films and was still doing TV guest spots in the late fifties. He's whole act was based around catchy songs played exclusively on the Uke. George is still a household name in the UK Seventy years after the peak of his career. By all accounts George wasn't just a comic cabaret act using the Uke as a prop for jokes. No, George was a virtuoso master of the Ukulele widely recognised as the foremost international player of his day. What he did not do however is force this virtuosity upon an adoring public by playing music out of context to his instrument. George entertained, plain and simple, with songs that anyone could aspire to emulate and well within any audal limitations of his instrument. There has been some suggestion that George was disappointed that his musicianship was not taken more seriously in the rarefied circles of the music establishment and that he felt unable to showcase some of the more diverse capabilities of the Uke to the general public, presumably for commercial reasons. That said, it would not be an overstatement to declare that George was loved by an entire nation, as first and foremost a Ukulele player. "Oh Mr Woo What can I do I've got those, lowdown, Chinese laundry blues." Seven years after the birth of George, one Robert Leroy Johnson was born in Hazelhurst, Mississippi. In 1937 George was entertaining the queen with a Royal Variety Performance on the Banjole (more accurately). Robert was cutting the second of two recording sessions (a total of just 25 tracks) which he would not survive by more than another year. If George had wanted to play the blues to the queen, I have no doubt he could have, but why would he. Arguably what Robert Johnson achieved was the elevation of the Guitar to being the foremost cross genre musical instrument of the Twentieth Century. If any one wants to dispute Robert Johnson's part in this, feel welcome, but the assertion about the guitar in the Twentieth Century is, in my view, fact not opinion. If as John bemoans the world is "guitar-centric" that is not because of some sinister subplot conspiring with McDonalds ,IBM and the catholic church. It's because the guitar is a very versatile and easily accessible instrument. It has a wide frequency range, ( one of very few instruments that plays below, with and above the normal vocal range) a useful 6 note polyphony for chords, a nice tone and with variations of style a wide range of tones, numerous playing styles to cater for beginner to expert, beautiful harmonic characteristics in numerous ensemble settings, portability, wide range of affordability (with I might add a narrowing range of quality towards excellence) and a source library of music unparalleled for any other instrument. John, to say that the guitar is not a very,very good instrument is a patent nonsense. I like the Uke, I even brought one last year but unfortunately I went in at too low a price point and one of the pegs was faulty and I couldn't get it tuned properly, also the action was a nightmare, eventually the kids got there hands on it and managed to snap out the nut. I have no doubt I will go out and get a proper Uke at some time in the future. But I won't be playing Robert Johnson tunes on it. Like George Formby, Lowden Wainright III, Paul McCartney and 99.9% of other Uke players I'll stick to simple, elegant songs with perhaps a little wit to them. HEAR YOU SOON MARK
____________________ Hear You Soon MARK |
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