What Is a Baritone Ukulele?
The baritone ukulele is a wooden stringed instrument. It is the largest member of the ukulele family, and has the deepest tone. Other ukuleles, from smallest to largest, are the soprano, concert and tenor.
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Origins
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The ukulele first became popular in Hawaii, although its origins are thought to be in Portugal. Popular accounts tell of a Portuguese traveler who jumped around and played the ukulele joyfully when he emigrated to Hawaii. Possibly due to this immigrant's influence, the Hawaiian word for ukulele means "jumping flea." Members of nobility in Hawaii began to play the ukulele, which contributed to the growth of its popularity. It started gaining popularity in the United States around 1915.
Construction
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The baritone ukulele has a 19-inch-long wooden body and four strings. It is sometimes nicknamed a mini-guitar because of its size, sound and tuning. The strings are tuned like the first four strings of a guitar (DGBE) rather than the typical ukulele tuning (GCEA). Its size contributes to the larger bass sound.
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Playing
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Right-handed people play the baritone ukulele by placing the neck in the left hand and the rest of the body in the right hand. Unless a neck strap is used, the musician usually sits and rests the body of the instrument on the right thigh. The left hand is used to hold down the strings, while the right hand strums the strings across the sound hole using a pick. The individual can play chords (groups of notes) or individual notes. Left-handed people usually press the strings with the right hand and pick with the left.
Performers
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Some well-known performers who have helped to popularize the ukulele include Ernest Kaai, "King" Bennie Nawahi, Cliff Edwards, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, George Harrison, Tiny Tim, Jim Beloff and Jack Johnson. Although the instrument is predominantly heard in Hawaiian music, it is also featured in Japanese and Western music.
Resources
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If you want to learn how to play the baritone ukulele, the best method is to take lessons or befriend a skilled player. The Internet has a wealth of information, from free chord charts and videos to professional instructional videos.
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