Things people “know” about the ukulele

Myth The ukulele was invented from nothing in Hawaiʻi.

Fact The ukulele is a Hawaiian instrument, but it grew out of Portuguese instruments: the machete do braça, the braguinha, the rajão and the cavaquinho. Smithsonian National Museum of American History: 5 things you probably didn’t know about the ‘ukulele The ukulele is a small guitar that comes from the machete, a four-stringed guitar brought to Hawaii by the Portuguese in the 1870s. Britannica: ukulele

Myth Everyone agrees what the name means.

Fact Britannica says the name ukulele is Hawaiian for “flea”. Britannica: ukulele The Smithsonian gives three possible explanations for the name: jumping fleas, jumping men, or a gift from afar. Smithsonian National Museum of American History: 5 things you probably didn’t know about the ‘ukulele

Myth A ukulele is just a toy, too small to play real music.

Fact Players have shown that the ukulele has a broad range and can be played in almost any style of music. Smithsonian National Museum of American History: 5 things you probably didn’t know about the ‘ukulele In the 20th century the ukulele was played in Europe and the United States as a jazz and solo instrument. Britannica: ukulele

Myth There is only one way to tune a ukulele.

Fact The ukulele is tuned G–C–E–A, all in the octave around middle C. Britannica: ukulele Britannica also gives a second tuning, D–F♯–A–B. Britannica: ukulele

Myth Real musicians never use a tuner.

Fact The Smithsonian says checking the tuning by ear takes a well-trained ear, and many professional musicians use a chromatic tuner. Smithsonian National Museum of American History: 5 things you probably didn’t know about the ‘ukulele

Myth Tab is a new invention for the internet.

Fact Tablatures were used for lute and keyboard music in the Renaissance and Baroque eras. Britannica: tablature

Myth Tab tells you the rhythm as well as the notes.

Fact Tablature (tab) is a way of writing music down by showing where the player’s fingers go, instead of notes that show rhythm and pitch. Britannica: tablature

Myth A chord is a single note played loudly.

Fact A chord is a group of notes sounded together. Britannica: harmony (chords)

Myth Americans first heard the ukulele in 1915.

Fact Americans first met the ukulele at the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Smithsonian National Museum of American History: the great 1915 ukulele craze

Myth The banjo ukulele came first.

Fact The banjo ukulele was created in early 1916, to meet the demand for a louder ukulele. Smithsonian National Museum of American History: the great 1915 ukulele craze