The History of the Ukulele

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The Ukulele is a cultural icon of the Hawaiian Islands and the fundamental instrument that is most closely associated with Hawaiian music. Around the time of the ukulele’s conception in the late 1800’s, the United States began systematically erecting policies between the two nations that eventually lead to a cultural exchange that included the ukulele and Hawaiian music. The ukulele began to gain immense popularity on the west coast and even on the east coast of the United States, Notably in urban cities like San Francisco and New York. Due to the unique sound of the island instrument, Jazz musicians began to incorporate the sound in their music and the ukulele soon became a prominent and distinct sound in 1920’s American mainstream music. The history of the ukulele can be traced back to early Portuguese guitarists who immigrated to the island in 1879. The instrument is a hybrid of two small guitar-like Portuguese instruments, the cavaquinho and the rajao. The instrument was played on the streets and in local venues, evolving into to a distinct island sound that is the root of Hawaiian music today. It was popularized during the Hawaiian Kingdom era under the reign of King Kalākaua, who promoted the instrument’s use in royal gatherings and performances. Under Queen Liliʻuokalani , the instrument was introduced to the United States through a systematic cultural exchange that was the product of mutual trade and military relations and the instrument’s popularity exploded on the West Coast and in large urban cities. Liliʻuokalani was also a notable ukulele virtuoso who wrote and played farewell songs to American tourists and officials during their visits to Hawaii. A song she wrote, “Aloha Oe” or Farewell to Thee is still a popular song played on the Hawaiian Islands today. The impact that the ukulele had on American music is very apparent. Not only was the instrument

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