The ukulele (/ ˌjuːkəˈleɪli / YOO-kə-LAY-lee; Hawaiian: [ʔukulele]), also called a uke (informally), is a member of the lute (ancient guitar) family of instruments. The ukulele is of Portuguese origin and was popularized in Hawaii. The tone and volume of the instrument vary with size and construction. Ukuleles commonly come in four sizes: soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone. Ukuleles ... Contrary to popular belief that it was invented in Hawaii, its origin is actually from Portugal. Migrants from Madeira brought a small instrument called the “machete” to Hawaii. Hawaiians made their own version, calling it the ukulele. Keep reading for theories of how it got its name. Ukulele, (Hawaiian: “flea”), small guitar derived from the machada, or machete, a four-stringed guitar introduced into Hawaii by the Portuguese in the 1870s. Discover the fascinating history of the ukulele from Hawaiian origins to global popularity. Explore historical timelines, facts and cultural impact. In Hawaiian, the word is ukulele (from ʽuku, "flea," and lele, "jumping"). Mr. Ukulele became so closely associated with the instrument that his nickname became the name by which the instrument was known. So goes the story favored by our etymologists. It's not, though, the only story out there. By 1888, the four-string instrument was becoming known as the ukulele, and soon the term “taro-patch fiddle” primarily was used to describe the larger five-string instrument. By the early 1890s, the original machete tuning of d'-g'-b'-d" was falling out of favor. · What was the ukulele originally called when it arrived in Hawaii? The exact name is debated, but one common term for what was the ukulele originally called was "mãoe pequena," meaning "small jumping flea," referring to the quick movements of the player's fingers. Discover the fascinating history of the ukulele from Hawaiian origins to global popularity. Explore historical timelines, facts and cultural impact. In Hawaiian, the word is ukulele (from ʽuku, "flea," and lele, "jumping"). Mr. Ukulele became so closely associated with the instrument that his nickname became the name by which the instrument was known. So goes the story favored by our etymologists. It's not, though, the only story out there. By 1888, the four-string instrument was becoming known as the ukulele, and soon the term “taro-patch fiddle” primarily was used to describe the larger five-string instrument. By the early 1890s, the original machete tuning of d'-g'-b'-d" was falling out of favor. · What was the ukulele originally called when it arrived in Hawaii? The exact name is debated, but one common term for what was the ukulele originally called was "mãoe pequena," meaning "small jumping flea," referring to the quick movements of the player's fingers.
