A Beginner's Ukulele Resource Kit

“The Ian Whitcomb (Radio/Podcast) Show”

Had a fantastic time last night at Coffee Gallery’s Backstage as Ian Whitcomb with pal guitarist Fred Sokolow led play-along tunes, told stories, and sang, but here I’m plugging Ian’s XM Radio show:

…British Invasion veteran and music historian Ian Whitcomb will share a special “Parade of the Faves”… featuring an eclectic and exciting mix of American and British popular songs ranging from Tin Pan Alley, Ragtime, through 1920s crooners and dance bands, to 1950’s rock and roll. This music-intensive program also features Whitcomb’s fascinating stories behind the music, the circumstances surrounding their composition and their noteworthy instrumentations.

He’s compiled a page with links to all past episodes here. I’ve listened to quite a few and they are quite entertaining and, if you’ve not heard him speak before, you’ll quickly appreciate his enthusiasm, wit, and wonderful “BBC radio voice”.

YouTube’s loaded with Ian’s 60’s and 70’s television appearances, too, including “Where Did Robinson Crusoe Go With Friday on Saturday Night” and “This Sporting Life”. His song “You Turn Me On” which Mae West recorded has been covered quite a bit.

The Ukulele & You

The Museum of Making Music’s online exhibit “The Ukulele & You: America’s Love Affair with the Ukulele” offers an exceptional catalog of rare ukes: 

[the original exhibit] concentrated mainly on mass-produced instruments marketed to the American public beginning in 1915. The online catalogue preserves this core component and for the first time includes detailed front, back and side images of the collection along with physical descriptions, attributions and probable dates of manufacture.

Above are just a few of my favorites, including the Selcol “Skiffle Junior” ukulele, the outline of which bears an incredibly similarity to a certain round-eared mouse’s uke, manufactured by the same company, at about the same time. Hmmmmmm…

I’d love to see higher-res photos, but this site’s a terrific gift.  Thanks much!!!

Hello, Chord Master!

I’ve gone gaga over Bakelite ‘n plastic ukuleles in past posts, however, this device, attached to the neck of one of these gems allowed one to play 6 — count ‘em SIX! — chords at the touch of a button! Sounds a bit like Ford’s old “teletouch” transmissions. 

ChordMaster.org’s stupendous compendium of plastic ukes, ads, gadgets, and folks happily playing (sometimes underwater — why not? it’s plastic!) is worthy your leisurely perusal. You’ll be amazed by such models as the Islander Ukette, T.V.Pal, Uke-A-Doodle, Ukeatune, Mousegetar, and many, many more!

A.T. Howson 1910 Ukulele Model “Phono Fiddle”

Modeled originally from Johannes Matthias Augustus Stroh violins patented in 1899, Howson was a famous London Maker in the early 1900’s of odd “phono fiddle” instruments. … Approximately 25-1/2” tall this is a soprano scaled instrument with a silver horn…

Yours for $4,499 on eBay.

(via MusicGuyMic’s Room of Ukulele eBay Store)