By TANIA PHILLIPS
THERE used to be a time when ukeleles were scorned instruments, only seen in Hawaiian movies and played by children … but everything has it’s time and it seems the time of the uke is at hand.
Now it can be seen in the hands of the coolest rockstars (Eddie Vedder recorded an album on the uke last year), has had it’s own cool Rockumentary (the Mighty Uke) and ukelele groups are popping up all over the world – even right here on the Southern Downs.
The man leading the local charge is musician Grant Tilbrook setting up his own local groups and spreading the word about this small – but obviously mighty – little instrument.
“About four years ago I, like many on the planet, rekindled my love affair with the uke,” Grant said.
“I’d played it back in 1980 when I wrote a few songs on it for the band I was playing in at the time.
“Then in about 2004 I was on a school camp (PE Teacher back then!) and I took the uke and in one night in my dorm. I knocked out about a half dozen songs for a musical I was involved in at the time.
“Fast forward to about 2010 and I’m thinking ‘I wonder if there would be enough interest locally for me to start taking classes in this cute little instrument?'”
And so WUPPIES (Warwick Ukulele Players and Performers and Interested Enthusiasts Society) was launched.
“We’ve been meeting weekly ever since,” Grant laughed.
“About three years ago I started doing it in Stanthorpe and so the UPPERS were born (Ukulele Players and Performers and Enthusiastic Renditioners of Stanthorpe).
“Needless to say the name tells the story … have fun, mind you – when you add the bass uke which has been an important part of the sound since the early days and some great voices – it can be a seriously good sound.”
He said that over time the groups have performed separately but these days Grant tries to get everyone together.
Their most recent combined gig was at the recent Bony Mountain Folk Festival.
“Not everyone could make it but there was a healthy smattering of WUPPIES and UPPERS,” he said.
“We’ve played at Jumpers and Jazz, Carols in The Park, Fundraisers, Parties, street corners and old halls, for the disabled and the old … and it’s true, there isn’t much the uke can’t handle, I’m constantly surprised how adaptable it is.”
So why is the ukulele becoming such a popular instrument around the world?
“I think it’s secret is it’s small, easy to carry, relatively easy to play and if you are careful when buying, pleasant to the ear,” he said.
“It’s a serious instrument but it likes to have a good time. Add a bass to the arrangement and it’s very cool!
“George Harrison swore by them and would always take a couple with him on the plane when travelling, one for him and one for whoever he happened to be sharing the flight with. Most large towns these days will boast a ukulele group of some description. It is indeed the mighty uke and it would seem I’m on a quest to share my love of music with as many as possible, and the uke is a great little companion.”
Grant is currently offering a beginners class for the local community. For details contact him at pangeamusic@hotmail.com
