Music Library

From Madeira to Maui to the Mainland to Madison

This exhibit has been assembled to mark the 130th anniversary of the arrival of the 'ukulele into Hawaiian music. The exhibit includes instruments, recordings, method books, song collections, and a wealth of information about the instrument and its players.

Use the links at left to see video examples and hear audio examples referenced in the exhibit's display cases. Eventually, photos of the cases and the full text of the exhibit will also appear here.

Video Examples

1. Cliff Edwards: Blame It On A 'Ukulele
2. Cliff Edwards: When You Wish Upon A Star
3. Roy Smeck: Master of Uke (Wizard of Strings)
4. Maccaferri Plastic Ukulele: Ain't She Sweet
5. Carnival Plastic Sopranino 'Ukulele
6. Tiny Tim: Tiptoe Through the Tulips
7. Warren Buffet: Ukulele Interview
8. Jake Shimabukuro: While My Guitar Gently Weeps
9. Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain: Rock Around the Clock
10. Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain: Orange Blossom Special
11. Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
12. McCartney, Harrison, and Ringo Starr
13. Joe Brown: I'll See You In My Dreams
14. Carl Rae Villaverde: Keep Your Eyes on the Hands
15. TOSTI: Taropatch Ukulele
16. George Formby: Our Sergeant Major
17. Mississippi Blues
18. Rigk Sauer: Solid Blues Shuffle

Audio Examples

• Example 1
• Example 2
• Example 3
• Example 4
• Example 5
• Example 6
• Example 7
• Example 8
• Example 9
• Example 10
• Example 11
• Example 12
• Example 13
• Example 14
• Example 15
• Example 16
• Example 17
• Example 18

Note: To play the audio examples, you must have the free RealPlayer installed. For more information, downloading instructions, and troubleshooting see our E-Reserves Page.

Additional Listening

• Benny Chong: "The Way You Look Tonight"
• Cliff Edwards: "I'll See You In My Dreams"
• James Hill: "Misirlou"
• Nedward and Keoki Kaapana: "Honeysuckle Rose"
• John King: "Aloha O'e"
• John King: "Les Barricades Mystérieuses"
• John King: "Banjo Schottische"
• John King: "The Entertainer"
• John King: "Funiculi-Funicolà"
• John King: "Gavotte I & II from Cello Suite No. 6 BWV 1012"
• John King: "Gavotte en Rondeau from Partita No. 3 BWV 1006"
• John King: "Gigue from Cello Suite No. 1 BWV 1007"
• John King: "Medley: Alekoki, Koni Au I Ka Wai, and Akahi Ho'i"
• John King: "Menuet I & II Partita No. 3 BWV 1006"
• John King: "Prélude (BWV 846)"
• John King: "Queen Lili'uokalani March"
• Lil' Rev: "Ukulele Blues"
• Mark Kailana Nelson: "Minuet"
• Mark Kailana Nelson: "Planxty Irwin"
• Mark Kailana Nelson: "Mbube (Wimoweh)"
• Herb Ohta: "Dinah"
• Herb Ohta: "I'll Be Seeing You"
• Herb Ohta: "Take The 'A' Train"
• Jake Shimabukuro: "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
• Bill Tapia: "All The Things You Are"
• Bill Tapia: "Chinatown/Avalon"
• Bill Tapia: "Little Grass Shack (Live)"

Note: To play the audio examples, you must have the free RealPlayer installed. For more information, downloading instructions, and troubleshooting see our E-Reserves Page.

Bibliography

Cited Print Sources

1. Beloff, Jim. The Ukulele: A Visual History. San Francisco: Miller Freeman Books, 1997. Find in MadCat
2. Felix, John Henry, Leslie Nunes, and Peter F. Senecal. The ‘Ukulele: A Portuguese Gift to Hawaii. Limited edition. Honolulu: published by the authors, 1980.
3. King, John, ed. The Hawaiian Ukulele and Guitar Makers, 2^nd ed.[St. Petersburg, FL]: Nalu Music, 2003. Find in MadCat
4. ---. Selected U. S. Trademarks and Patents for Ukuleles, Banjo Ukuleles, and Accessories. St. Petersburg, FL: Nalu Music, 2003. Find in MadCat
5. Taylor, Roger and Edward Wakeling. Lewis Carroll Photographer. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2002. Find in MadCat

Cited Web Sources

6. Atlas of Plucked Instruments:
   http://www.atlasofpluckedinstruments.com/south_america.htm
7. Bill Tapia: String Master Brings Ukulele Back:
   http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/04/02/NSLJ16NN6G.DTL
8. Brudda Bu’s Ukulele Heaven:
   http://www.geocities.com/~ukulele/
9. Cool Hand Uke’s Partial History of the Ukulele:
   http://www.coolhanduke.com/history.html
10. Flea Market Music:
    http://www.fleamarketmusic.com/faq/default.asp
11. John King Obituary:
    http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/27/arts/music/27king.html
12. Nalu Music – History:
    http://www.nalu-music.com/category/history/
13. The History of Martin Ukuleles:
    http://www.geocities.com/~ukulele/martin.html
14. Those Four Irresistible Strings:
    http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/10/fashion/10ukulele.html
15. TripAtlas.com:
    http://tripatlas.com/Tiple
16. Ukulele Hall of Fame:
    http://www.ukulele.org/?Home
17. Wonderful World - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole:
    http://iz.honoluluadvertiser.com/

Methods

Bailey, N. B. A Practical Method for Self Instruction on the Ukulele and Banjo Ukulele. San Francisco: Sherman, Clay & Co., 1914. Find in MadCat

Bickford, Vahdah Olcott and Zarh Myron Bickford. Bickford Method for the Ukulele. Boston: Oliver Ditson Co., 1920.

Guckert, E. N. The Original Guckert’s Chords for the Ukulele at Sight Without Notes or Teacher. Toledo, OH: Union Music Publishing Co., 1917.

Hafner, Helen. Strumming is for Everyone. New York: Faculty Press, Inc., 1966. Find in MadCat

Illustrated 5-Minute Guaranteed Ukulele Course for Hawaiian Ukulele and Banjo Ukulele. Chicago: M. M. Cole Publishing House, 1927.

The Kamiki Ukulele Method. New York: Wm. J. Smith & Co., 1917. Find in MadCat

Killianus, K., ed. Practical Method for the Ukulele with a Complete Arrangement of Chords with Diagram. Milwaukee, WI: K. Kotty, 1923. Find in MadCat

Moyer, Will D. National Self Teacher for Ukulele. Chicago: Chart Music Publishing House, 1925. Find in MadCat

Peer, Bill. Foundation Studies for Ukulele. Winona, MN: Hal Leonard Music, Inc., 1953. Find in MadCat

Reser, Harry. Let’s Play the Uke. New York: Remick Music Corp., 1954. Find in MadCat

---. Let’s Play the Baritone Uke. New York: Remick Music Corp., 1965. Find in MadCat

Smeck, Roy. Mel Bay’s Ukulele Method for Chord and Melody Playing. Pacific, MO: Mel Bay Publications, Inc., 1978. Find in MadCat

Music Collections

Bickford, Zarh Myron, ed. The Remick Collection of Popular Songs with Ukulele. New York: Jerome H. Remick & Co., 1917.

Franchini, Anthony, ed. Everybody’s Favorite Collection of Latest Songs for Ukulele. Philadelphia: Morris Music Company, 1924.

King, Charles Edward, ed. King’s Books of Hawaiian Melodies. Honolulu: Charles E. King, 1928. Find in MadCat

Sakuma, Roy. Treasury of Ukulele Chords. Honolulu: Roy Sakuma Productions, Inc., 1998. Find in MadCat

Ukulele Ike [Cliff Edwards]. Collection for the Ukulele. New York: Miller Music Corporation, 1949.

Vasconcelos, Cândido Drumond de. Colecção de Peças para Machete. Edited by Manuel Morais. Casal de Cambra, Portugal: Caleidoscópio, [2003]. Find in MadCat

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the following people for their assistance in putting together this exhibit:

• Jeanette Casey, Head of Mills Music Library, for proofreading
• Tom Lang, Library Student Assistant, for help with assembling the display
• Dave Wells, Library Student Assistant, web design

John Solon, exhibit designer

Instruments courtesy of John Solon and Tom Caw.