Ukuleles have experienced a second “re-entry” into popular music culture with television and social media sparking renewed interest.
Rose Breen created ukulele clubs in New York as she believed club environments could enhance learning and fellowship, and promote it to senior centers and community organizations in Tennessee as a healing force.
1. “Ukulele Lady”
Ukulele Lady Dawn Johnson can be seen performing at various venues, festivals, and fairs throughout central New York. A member of Professional Musicians AFM Local 78 music union as well as holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Syracuse University. In her free time she provides lessons to her ukulele students as an instructor at Ukulele Society of Syracuse.
The ukulele has long been considered an iconic Hawaiian instrument; today, however, it has become a versatile musical choice across genres and musical traditions. Advanced ukulele players are adept at performing complex pieces such as classical sonatas or jazz standards on this instrument and some even use pedal effects on their instrument for even greater aural experiences.
Breen was a New York native and accomplished pianist who became intrigued with the ukulele after receiving one as a Christmas present. Although she attempted to return it initially, but the store would not let her. Instead she learned how to play and published numerous ukulele method books during the 1920s and ’30s. With her skill on Tin Pan Alley publishers including chords for her instrument in their sheet music. Numerous piano sheets in the Ukulele Hall of Fame bear her name listed as arranger.
Breen promoted the ukulele as an accompaniment instrument for singing, encouraging her students to sing while they played it. She recorded two 78rpm instructional ukulele records that focused on melodic ukulele playing; she promoted its use in schools where fellowship increased learning; she established clubs across New York believing it to be an “all-purpose instrument that would unite communities”.
2. “Hawaiian Hula”
Hula is an iconic Hawaiian dance form, embodying both chant (oli) and song (mele). As a performance art involving both body movement and hands movements, this form is distinguished from other Pacific Island dance forms you might encounter at luaus shows such as Maori haka or Samoan fire dances by its rhythmic yet emotive movement that tells stories of Hawaii, its culture and history through rhythmic yet emotive movements.
Hula was traditionally more than just artistic expression: it served as an invaluable form of cultural transmission for Hawaiian ancestors who did not possess written languages, using body and hand movements to relay legends and wisdom passed down through generations. Early hula dance performances also entertained members of alii (Hawaii’s nobility) at temple ceremonies or other celebrations.
Since the 19th century, hula dance began to evolve; its accompanying music, known as oli, became more melodic and song-like, while its subject matter also changed; while earlier hula focused on ancient stories of golden gods and island formation, newer ones focused more closely on Hawaiian culture and nature.
Modern Hula ‘Auana is performed to honor trees and other plants, flowers, forces of nature, as well as those Hawaiian people who have preserved this art form for centuries. It provides an elegant display of authentic Hawaiian culture passed down from generation to generation.
Today, hula can be seen at festivals, luau shows, shopping malls, and festivals all over the United States and internationally. In Hawaii, kumu hula still celebrate hula through private circles; some may wish for its return to its former glory; nevertheless hula remains vibrantly alive here today!
3. “I’m in Love with a Ukulele”
Ukuleles may be associated with Hawaiian and folk music, but experienced players can use them to explore a wide variety of genres. Some experiment with classical sonatas and jazz standards on the instrument while others use it to play rock songs or learn fingerpicking techniques. If you want to take your ukulele playing further there are numerous online resources that can provide assistance for this journey.
Ukuleles come in different sizes, ranging from soprano to baritone, and are typically constructed of wood but some models may also use plastic or other materials. Tuning wise, they resemble guitars in that four courses or chords can be played simultaneously on each string – something Hawaiian immigrants first introduced onto mainland audiences during the late 1800s.
The ukulele is an excellent instrument for beginners to start learning, as its simple yet accessible chord structure requires little practice to master. Beginners can start out playing simple songs like “Ukulele Lady,” before gradually building up to more intricate tunes like those performed by world-renowned ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro – no singing experience is necessary!
May Singhi Breen was an influential figure in the world of the ukulele, creating numerous piano sheet music arrangements specifically written for it between 1920 and 1950. She also founded several ukulele clubs with the belief that their fellowship enhanced learning – thus earning her the name “The Goddess of Uke.” Consequently, she has been honored with induction into the Ukulele Hall of Fame.
4. “I’m a Little Teapot”
The ukulele has become a mainstay of modern music, popularized by performers and comedians like Tiny Tim and the Beach Boys. Additionally, children often request this instrument at schools, libraries and retirement homes – Kelle Jolly (known as Tennessee Ukulele Lady ) is known for playing it for community centers and senior centers in Knoxville Tennessee as she performs “I’m a Little Teapot”, one of her signature children’s songs.
May Singhi Breen was a New York piano teacher who published her ukulele arrangements as sheet music in the 1920s. Her arrangements can be seen at the Ukulele Hall of Fame with “Ukulele Arrangement by May Singhi Breen” printed on their cover sheets. Breen promoted ukuleles by convincing publishers they could play both melody and accompaniment simultaneously on them; she even endorsed Martin Company’s top-of-the-line model 5K Koa wood model with pictures featuring it and two-sided instructional instructional 78rpm recordings!
Caroline Jacobs, junior, has been playing the ukulele for two years and enjoys it because it is easy to learn. Caroline prefers concert ukuleles which measure 23 inches long–two inches longer than soprano and seven shorter than baritone. These models have frets further apart to produce fuller sound than soprano ukuleles.
Albert Louis Viohl’s bronze sculpture depicting an elephant transformed into a teapot is both whimsical and engaging, featuring its trunk as its spout and tail as its handle. Additionally, its pose gives this artwork movement and action.
5. “I’m a Little Teapot”
A ukulele can be an accessible musical instrument for beginners, juniors, and adults of all ages. With a multitude of playing styles available and its distinctive yet sweet sound sure to please audiences alike, the ukulele makes an excellent musical companion when traveling. Plus it’s portable making it great choice when traveling abroad!
Ukulele Lady Dawn Johnson performs at various Central New York venues, fairs and festivals. Additionally, she offers lessons on ukulele at Syracuse University’s School of Music – offering genres such as jazz and Hawaiian music!
“I’m a Little Teapot” is a children’s song made famous by Sesame Street. Elmo performed this tune during The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland when trying to persuade Humongous Chicken that he is actually not a worm, but an ordinary teapot instead. Eugene and Karin would later sing it during Sesame Street’s Monsters in Day Care sketch.
This song is perfect for Ukulele Lady because of its short and easy strumming pattern, with simple chords that beginners can learn quickly. Additionally, singing along will allow you to practice all ranges of your voice as this piece uses every tone within its range!
The Ukulele is a four-stringed Hawaiian musical instrument often referred to as the Pineapple Guitar. First created in the early 20th century by German immigrant Louis Viohl, its design today includes wood construction with fretted fingerboard. Today there are multiple sizes from soprano (most common) up to baritone which may also come equipped with other fretted fingerboard sizes as well.