Back to the Pono

I have been neglecting my lovely Pono tenor for a while.  Last night, I pulled it out of the case and plugged it in to a new set of headphones.  I hadn't been able to get much sound out of it to my ears, but it was completely different through the amp and 'phones and I was really happy with the ringing tone and nuance with changing volume in strums.  Made me remember to play all of my ukes as often as possible!
I bought this uke at the Windy City Uke Fest in 2008 up in Chicago.  Kimo Hussey gave a seminar and played THIS uke at one of the evening events, so I knew it would do wonderful things in the right hands.  Kimo told me it was a uke that I could grow into and I now have an idea of what he was talking about. Thanks, Kimo.

Public Domain Songs

A post at Gospel Ukulele listed some public domain hymns, so I checked out the reference.  They sell copies of old songs, but have several lists that are said to be in the public domain, so OK to perform without paying royalties.  Here's their link. The site has a lot of disclaimers and indicates it only applies to US, so caveat emptor!

Whole Earth Nuclear Uklele Orchestra

The KDHX fundraiser with WENUO seemed to be a success to me.  I estimated over 100 people were there mid-evening.  They had some issues with the sound at first, 'cause it appeared that the sound guy wasn't used to working with ukes and didn't realize that they don't produce the same volume as a guitar.  The musicians kept asking for increased levels on each mike or input.  Everyone seemed to be having a great time playing or listening. 

Whole Earth Nuclear Ukulele Orchestra

KDHX radio, the only, independent radio station in St. Louis is having a fund-raiser on Wednesday, February 17 at 7 pm. The great significance of the event is the appearance of the Whole Earth Nuclear Ukulele Orchestra giving its first, and maybe only, performance of songs of the Grateful Dead. The WENUO features members of several well-known St. Louis area bands. Here's a clip on YouTube of Russian Lullaby by two of the players.

The concert will be at the 2720 Club, 2720 Cherokee, in St. Louis City. The suggested entry donation is $8.00.

KDHX really deserves our support for its presentation of every type of music imaginable. The volunteer DJs program their own shows. Check them out on the net if you are not in the StL area.

New and Old Ukes

After a long delay, I'll try to keep up with this blog, since I have ONE follower. Thanks, by the way.


I follow many, many blogs daily and find a lot that is repeated, but still enjoy everyone's opinions and efforts.


I recently sold two ukes--a Gold Tone Banjolele and a Flea--and gave away one of my first acquisitions--an Oscar Schmidt concert--to a friend who had expressed an interest in playing. She's a nun, so I am insisting on her posting Dominique on YouTube when she's ready!

You're age is showing if you remember the Singing Nun.

Anyway, having lightened the uke load I, of course, had to get some more...Our uke group leader, Karl Markl of St. Louis, MO, has been modifying the Gold Tone banjo ukes. He put steel strings on a baritone, tuned it to GCEA and added an arm rest. I like it a little better than the old GT since it sounds more like a banjo, which is the point, anyway.

The other acquisition is a concert Eleuke--unfortunately on back order, since I wanted the mahogany rather than the red or blue. I am fascinated by all of the videos and the range of effects possible from these ukes.

Stormy Sunday and UAS

The rain started early Sunday morning. Nothing like in Houston, but it still LOOKS like a tropical storm with the winds whipping the trees and the rain coming down in sheets. It should blow through by the afternoon, though, so we're really pretty lucky.

A little more about Ukulele Acquisition Syndrome. After playing my $75 soprano size uke for a while, I decided to try out a larger one and see how the sound was different, so I searched Ebay. Found an Oscar Schmidt unfinished spruce top which I got for about $25. It was quite a change from the first one. The wood was much thinner and it had geared tuners rather than the pegs, which allows for more precise tuning. I read somewhere that the original ukes in Hawaii weren't covered in lacquer but were rubbed with coconut oil. We happened to have a jar of that in the kitchen (don't ask) and I tried it. I was really afraid that the thing would smell like coconuts and that it might go rancid and smell even worse, but neither has happened. The oil rubbed right in and left a nice sheen. While the Oscar isn't a great uke, it has a good sustained tone and did feel like a step up from the first one.

Being a concert size, the neck is longer and wider than the soprano, so I think it is a little easier on my fingers, too.

Next, the search continues---

Ooker?

Here on the mainland USA we usually say "you" ku-lay-lee. The correct pronunciation is "oo" ku-lay-lee--so it's also "ook" not "uke". So that, at least, explains the name of the blog.

I started playing uke about a year ago, after struggling with classical guitar in college, teaching myself sax at 30, and trying to teach myself electric bass. A friend started on uke and the local community college offered a course, so I thought I'd give it a try. Also, they're fairly cheap. I got my first from a local music store for about $75. It was fine, but there is a little thing called Ukulele Acquisition Syndrome, that must be inoculated into every instrument and I was infected right away. After my year of playing, I've donated the first one and "acquired" five others.

I hope to ramble about my experiences with my ukes and, occasionally, rant or expound on various other topics of interest which may include Buddhism, astronomy and books in general.