The Jamie Oliver of Music Education?

Richmond, VA based music educator Samson Trinh hopes to become the Jamie Oliver of music education. And the uke's his stock pot.

Check out this nice profile of Samson and his Uke'N'Roll program in today's USA Today.

And learn more about Samson's programs on his website.

Happy cooking, Samson!

The Booming Business of Ukuleles

The (ahem) idiot-proof ukulele is being credited with boosting small, independent music stores across the country. Read all about it in this CNN Money report, which also features a nice video interview of uke maker Mike DaSilva. Link

Greatest Ukulele Gift of the Year

I'm not sure if the link below will work for you, as I'm not sure what the FB permissions setting is, but I'll repeat the story.

Earlier in 2013, Alan "Ukisociety" Brandt sold his custom Tom Guy maple tenor (the one he's playing in the above video) to raise money to adopt a child. The ukulele changed hands several times during the year until the last buyer, Edwin Gilkison, noticed Alan's name inside and, after finding out why Alan sold it, gave it back to him.

Hats off to Mr. Gilkison, Official Ukulelia Hero of 2013. What a loving gesture.

Link

Tonight You Belong to Me: World's Greatest Version

Let's start the new year right. And by "right", I mean with the world's greatest rendition of "Tonight You Belong to Me." Courtesy of Benjamin J. Ames and his four-year-old daughter.

(h/t Jeff West aka Humble Uker)

Coming Soon: U900 Tuners

Looks like we'll see U900 clip on tuners in 2014. I have more tuners than I need already, but how could I resist these? Normally I say "tune it or die," but in this case I think I'd say "tune it and be cute!"

(h/t Woodshed)

The Christmas Song: Brittni Paiva

Here's a little something to make today and tomorrow especially merry: Brittni Paiva's tabbed version of The Christmas Song.

Merry Christmas from Ukulelia. And may Santa bring you the uke of your dreams tonight. Link

The Ukulele Handbook

Bumped into this book on a Christmas shopping trip. Looks like a fun book, and quite nicely done. Not novel enough to buy a copy (although if it shows up on the morning of the 25th I'd be happy), but perhaps you'd like to check it out. Link

West School Ukulele Club

How cute are these kids? From Hingham, MA, 1924 Link

Thanks, Ukester Brown!

The 3D Printed Ukulele

Check this out. A 3-D printed ukulele based on an open source design. Now if this guy would print himself a tuner... Link

Here is a link with more information on the open source design (apparently the link accompanying the YouTube video is incorrect). Link

Thanks, Shelley Rickey!

Yule-K-Lele Special Offer | Hallmark Stores

This is kitchy enough that I just might have to have one. It's evidently some sort of digital toy that plays six Christmas songs when you "strum" it. $14.95 with each purchase of three Hallmark cards. (The shag carpeting from my sister's 1970's bedroom not included.) Such a deal.

Link

Thanks, Ukester Brown!

A Letter to My Community After My Child Was Lit on Fire | Karl Fleischman

Agender uker Sascha Fleischman was badly burned. Strum a cheerful song in your heart for their recovery.

Link

New Tuners or Not?

Ukulelia readers,

Looking for the wisdom of the uke crowd here. I just acquired a sweet mid-1920s Style 1 Martin Soprano.

It's in amazing condition and came with its original wooden tuning pegs.

So here's my dilemma: to replace the tuners or not. I bought the Martin as a player, so I'm inclined to replace the tuners (saving the originals, natch). But the wooden pegs actually work pretty well (they haven't slipped on me yet). But they do take some finesse, and I'm worried they may become an albatross during a performance.

So what to do? Replace or not?

And if replace, do I go whole hog and get Peghead tuners? Would they require any modification to the peg holes (which I kinda think I should avoid–right?).

Chime in on the comments. Love to hear your thoughts.

Gary

3D printed ukulele! - Boing Boing

If you have nothing else to do. And seriously NOTHING else to do, check out this video of a 3D printed ukulele over on our big sister blog, Boing Boing. Link

Who Would Play this Uke

Yes he would. Every day. Link

Aaron Keim Tabs and Workshops

Quiet American Aaron Keim has graciously posted a series of tabs and workshops on his site. If you're looking to learn clawhammer style ukulele, this is your ticket.
Link