As mentioned a couple of weeks ago, Tornadic Uke did make the new edition of RC. The lower have of a page about three-fourths through the magazine heralds their arrival as something new. It points out that the album is definite rock on an uke. Ukulele is a free-wheeling instrument and rock is free-wheeling music, they go on to say.
This issue also introduces someone I have never heard of--Chihiro Wada. She is described as an ukulele-player doing avant-guarde and pop. I have been rummaging around to try to find out what this would sound like, but I have yet to find anything on the Internet to listen to. She seems to be heavily involved in a group called California Dolls. You might be able to find their voiceblog on their website. Apparently, she has also been featured in the British magazine "Wire".
The most surprising bit for me personally in the article on Wada really concerned something else. In the interview she talks about buying her ukulele in Pan Music in Ochanomizu. I dropped by there yesterday out of coincidence looking for the new RC. They have scaled back their ukulele section from most of one floor to the stairwell. The ukulele publications were gone, including RC. Perhaps they have been move up to the floor above with the other magazines, but it was closed.
I did find a shop up the street selling unusual handcrafted ukuleles. I will find that again and post on that in a month or two.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Friday, February 23, 2007
Ukulele coffee shop in Tokyo
If you ever find yourself in Tokyo with an urge to play your uke, but your uke is nowhere to be found, there's a place you can go. "Bucky" in Shibuya has ukuleles for playing. For a 400-yen cup of coffee, you can borrow one of theirs and play with othe affectinados during the day. At night, you can also feed yourself as well as strum along.
They also hold various events like a hula night (second Friday of each month). Those are advertised as 3,000 with a free drink. Another is performances by Shiraishi Atae, son of Bucky Shiraishi.
They are located on the bus terminal side of Shibuya Station in Tokyo. It should be about a three minute walk from the station. There is a very simple map on their website.
They also hold various events like a hula night (second Friday of each month). Those are advertised as 3,000 with a free drink. Another is performances by Shiraishi Atae, son of Bucky Shiraishi.
They are located on the bus terminal side of Shibuya Station in Tokyo. It should be about a three minute walk from the station. There is a very simple map on their website.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Kiyoshi Kobayashi workshop
Kiyoshi Kobayashi will be holding an hour-long workshop in Kamakura followed by a 45-minute mini-concert. Adult admission to either one will be 3,000 yen or 5,000 for both plus drinks, according to the website. Participants in the workshop are invited to play along in the mini-concert.
The workshop apparently starts at 2PM on 3 March and is quickly followed by the mini-concert. The venue is a place called the Aloha Cube.
The workshop apparently starts at 2PM on 3 March and is quickly followed by the mini-concert. The venue is a place called the Aloha Cube.
Monday, February 19, 2007
CD kickoff concert
This coming Sunday (2/25) at Thumbs Up, a three-minute walk from Yokohama Station, there will be a kickoff concert for the CD I wrote about a couple of days ago. If you are in Japan and want to go, detailed info can be had at this website (in Japanese).
Doors are said to open at 6:30, adult tickets on the day cost 3,500 yen. They are 3,000 in advance. Laula, Iwao, Kiyoshi Kobayashi, Ukulele Eiji and others are slated to be there according to the website. Kuricorder isn't mentioned, so we can probably assume they won't be there. This is according to the website anyway.
I won't be going, but I would if I could swing it.
Doors are said to open at 6:30, adult tickets on the day cost 3,500 yen. They are 3,000 in advance. Laula, Iwao, Kiyoshi Kobayashi, Ukulele Eiji and others are slated to be there according to the website. Kuricorder isn't mentioned, so we can probably assume they won't be there. This is according to the website anyway.
I won't be going, but I would if I could swing it.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Loco Factory
Having finally secured a couple of moments to phone up Headway, makers of La Uke ukuleles and possibly Loco ukuleles, I gave them a quick dial.
The brief conversation confirmed my suspicions. Locos are indeed made by Headway China.
A look at their website has lots of nice photos showing how La Ukes are handcrafted etc, etc. The page for Locos are considerably more simple and less impressive. It leaves one wondering if it is only guitars that they make at Headway China. Wonder no more.
The brief conversation confirmed my suspicions. Locos are indeed made by Headway China.
A look at their website has lots of nice photos showing how La Ukes are handcrafted etc, etc. The page for Locos are considerably more simple and less impressive. It leaves one wondering if it is only guitars that they make at Headway China. Wonder no more.
Upcoming Rolling Coconuts
A new Rolling Coconut comes out on the 27th of this month. Tornadic Ukulele, who has kindly left comments on this blog, has written to tell us he will be making an appearance there. Congratulations on that! I am looking forward to seeing what they have to say.
Other big features that they will apparently be running will revolve around some of their Geneon projects. The headliner will be the (directly translated) "From the North Ukulele". "From the North" was a series of tv programs that ran here for YEARS. It was about a family of a father, son, and daughter and how they struggled to make do in Hokkaido, where there is nature and it is COLD.The theme music was done by a guitar-playing folk singer named Sada Masashi.It has been redone on a new CD by the usual suspects: Kuricorder Quartet, Iwao, Ukulele Quartet, BanBan Bazaar, and Kiyoshi Kobayashi, to name the majority.
There will be another article about James Hill and one on ukulele Iwao style.
Again, congratulations to Tornadic Ukulele.
Other big features that they will apparently be running will revolve around some of their Geneon projects. The headliner will be the (directly translated) "From the North Ukulele". "From the North" was a series of tv programs that ran here for YEARS. It was about a family of a father, son, and daughter and how they struggled to make do in Hokkaido, where there is nature and it is COLD.The theme music was done by a guitar-playing folk singer named Sada Masashi.It has been redone on a new CD by the usual suspects: Kuricorder Quartet, Iwao, Ukulele Quartet, BanBan Bazaar, and Kiyoshi Kobayashi, to name the majority.
There will be another article about James Hill and one on ukulele Iwao style.
Again, congratulations to Tornadic Ukulele.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Loco ukulele factory
After receiving a comment about the location of the Loco ukulele factory, I have been reading up some on the company that makes them.
Headway is based in Matsumoto in Nagano, Japan. They are well-known for their guitars here. The venture into ukuleles appears to be a new step for them.
It seems that La Uke ukuleles are manufactured at their factory in Nagano. Unfortunately, I can't yet work out if their Locos are made there or by their sister company, Headway China. I have seen several mentions of guitars being put together in China, but the ukuleles are still a mystery.
I will continue fishing around for information until I find exactly where Locos are made. At worst, I suppose I might have to phone up the company.
Headway is based in Matsumoto in Nagano, Japan. They are well-known for their guitars here. The venture into ukuleles appears to be a new step for them.
It seems that La Uke ukuleles are manufactured at their factory in Nagano. Unfortunately, I can't yet work out if their Locos are made there or by their sister company, Headway China. I have seen several mentions of guitars being put together in China, but the ukuleles are still a mystery.
I will continue fishing around for information until I find exactly where Locos are made. At worst, I suppose I might have to phone up the company.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Ukulele maker sites
Here is a quick list of some smaller ukulele makers here in Japan.
First, there is Urabe based in Kyoto. He has made a few unusual ukuleles which I hope to report on soon. In case you get tempted, here is his price list. Sorry, folks, the whole thing is in Japanese. The price lists includes materials. The four charts show sopranos, medium-sopranos, concerts, and finally concert-tenor sizes at the bottom of the page.
La Uke's product page has enough English in it to make it readable for the non-Japanese reader. As does the more down-market Loco Ukulele page.
Isana ukuleles can be nice to look at. I have never heard one, so I can not make much comment on sound or playability.
And finally, Ohana, a shop in Osaka, has a page to view some of the more flashy ukuleles they flog.
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I apologize for the lengthy absence, work has been very busy. This blog will be seeing more frequent posting again in the very near future. Thanks for the understanding.
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First, there is Urabe based in Kyoto. He has made a few unusual ukuleles which I hope to report on soon. In case you get tempted, here is his price list. Sorry, folks, the whole thing is in Japanese. The price lists includes materials. The four charts show sopranos, medium-sopranos, concerts, and finally concert-tenor sizes at the bottom of the page.
La Uke's product page has enough English in it to make it readable for the non-Japanese reader. As does the more down-market Loco Ukulele page.
Isana ukuleles can be nice to look at. I have never heard one, so I can not make much comment on sound or playability.
And finally, Ohana, a shop in Osaka, has a page to view some of the more flashy ukuleles they flog.
---------------------
I apologize for the lengthy absence, work has been very busy. This blog will be seeing more frequent posting again in the very near future. Thanks for the understanding.
--------------------
Thursday, December 21, 2006
more ukulele videos
A couple of weeks ago, I posted a few links to some Japanese ukulele videos. Today, I will add a couple of more to that list.
Someone posted what looks like most of a Kuricorder Quartet concert on YouTube. The link here will take you to the first song. They are all numbered, so following from there should not be a great trauma.
Tsuji Ayano has a couple of videos there as well. This is for her Fly High song. This video starts out with an interview and a contest for sorting cards(?!). The song comes later on. This is a music video for Sha La La.
Here is a rather odd rather non-pro piece.
Watanababy makes an appearance in this one.
Someone posted what looks like most of a Kuricorder Quartet concert on YouTube. The link here will take you to the first song. They are all numbered, so following from there should not be a great trauma.
Tsuji Ayano has a couple of videos there as well. This is for her Fly High song. This video starts out with an interview and a contest for sorting cards(?!). The song comes later on. This is a music video for Sha La La.
Here is a rather odd rather non-pro piece.
Watanababy makes an appearance in this one.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Some ukulele videos
This week, I will let some pictures say a thousand words.....here are some ukulele videos from Japan.
http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif
These first two are from the Ukulele Ultraman project.
The Ultraman Theme song
and the Ultraseven Theme
The second two I found are commercials featuring ukuleles
A candy commercial featuring an ukulele playing girl
and an old commercial with another (at-the-time) girl
Here is one on a resourceful duo.
As you can see, all of these came from YouTube. I will add a few more after YouTube comes back from the maintainance it has just started.
http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif
These first two are from the Ukulele Ultraman project.
The Ultraman Theme song
and the Ultraseven Theme
The second two I found are commercials featuring ukuleles
A candy commercial featuring an ukulele playing girl
and an old commercial with another (at-the-time) girl
Here is one on a resourceful duo.
As you can see, all of these came from YouTube. I will add a few more after YouTube comes back from the maintainance it has just started.
Friday, December 01, 2006
T.T. Cafe
T. T. Cafe is a man-woman duo who's visibility has picked up in the past few months. This month they are on Channel 2 of Rolling Coconut TV.
Most of the publicity seems to be revolving around the release of their Cafezinho album. This album sports a variety of genres. The first song is Chattanooga Choo-choo, the second is the Pink Panther theme, and (skipping down a bit) fourth is Quiero Dancar Com Voce (plus requisite diacriticals). Going through the videos should give you sufficient idea of what sort of things they are up to.
This album follows their first release, which came in August, 2005.
A visit to their website will lead you to their video archives where you can see them perform as a duo or with others. You can also download their 2.4Mb profile pdf file if you have time to burn.
Most of the publicity seems to be revolving around the release of their Cafezinho album. This album sports a variety of genres. The first song is Chattanooga Choo-choo, the second is the Pink Panther theme, and (skipping down a bit) fourth is Quiero Dancar Com Voce (plus requisite diacriticals). Going through the videos should give you sufficient idea of what sort of things they are up to.
This album follows their first release, which came in August, 2005.
A visit to their website will lead you to their video archives where you can see them perform as a duo or with others. You can also download their 2.4Mb profile pdf file if you have time to burn.
Ukulele Mozart
JVC Music will be releasing 20 December a new ablum of Mozart played on ukuleles. Samples of the songs are available on the website. Those interested will no doubt recognize the songs, so we will skip the ditty list this time around. There is a video clip of the fourth song of the album, the first movement of the 25th symphony. It is entertaining if nothing else. (The Salieri voice is apparently that of Ukulele Eiji.)
Songs 1-7 are played by Kondo Kenji of Kurikorder Quartet fame. Matsui Tomotaka, who put together the Mozart tab book recently featured here, plays songs 8-14.
The website is taking advanced sales for 2,800 (tax included). I have no idea if they ship overseas or not, however.
Songs 1-7 are played by Kondo Kenji of Kurikorder Quartet fame. Matsui Tomotaka, who put together the Mozart tab book recently featured here, plays songs 8-14.
The website is taking advanced sales for 2,800 (tax included). I have no idea if they ship overseas or not, however.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
The Japanese ukulele advantage
An advantages that Japanese ukulele amateurs may have over players elsewhere is that it is generally easier to find fellow travelers.
Most places around the country have neighborhood community centers. These centers vary in terms of quality, but compared with what one is likely to find in, say, North America, they are on average pretty good. Most of the facilities offer different kinds of rooms, including music rooms, gyms or dance rooms, kitchens, or craft rooms. Groups can hold regularly scheduled cultural or educational activities at very little or no cost.
It seems that these venues play host to quite a few clubs and classes around the country. A quick survey of the Japanese Yahoogroups for ukuleles has just revealed that many of the Yahoogroups are centered around a group of people that practices at these centers. Almost all the larger Yahoogroups appear connected to groups that use these kinds of facilities.
The city here may well be an indication of what the rest of Japan is like also. I know of one teacher at a local music school that teaches ukulele, but there are at least three groups connected with the community centers. More or less the same can be said of the town next to us.
Ukulele players might be more gregarious than some other musicians. But, with these community centers, it is certainly a lot easier to spread the faith.
Most places around the country have neighborhood community centers. These centers vary in terms of quality, but compared with what one is likely to find in, say, North America, they are on average pretty good. Most of the facilities offer different kinds of rooms, including music rooms, gyms or dance rooms, kitchens, or craft rooms. Groups can hold regularly scheduled cultural or educational activities at very little or no cost.
It seems that these venues play host to quite a few clubs and classes around the country. A quick survey of the Japanese Yahoogroups for ukuleles has just revealed that many of the Yahoogroups are centered around a group of people that practices at these centers. Almost all the larger Yahoogroups appear connected to groups that use these kinds of facilities.
The city here may well be an indication of what the rest of Japan is like also. I know of one teacher at a local music school that teaches ukulele, but there are at least three groups connected with the community centers. More or less the same can be said of the town next to us.
Ukulele players might be more gregarious than some other musicians. But, with these community centers, it is certainly a lot easier to spread the faith.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Latest Rolling Coconuts II
Continuing this week with an overview of issue #32 of Rolling Coconuts, we will touch on four articles.
The first of these contains two interviews--one with Katz.seiji and the other with Matsui Tomotaka. They are the repective compilers of "Toei Ukulele Festival" and "Ukulele Mozart". Both of these books of score come complete with tabs and CDs. The Toei book contains theme songs particularly of animations and character theme songs. Toei, as some readers know, is a film and TV production outfit. Matsui, the compiler of the Mozart books admits that the arrangements are definely not for beginners and that he would balk at playing some of the pieces in public due to their demanding difficulties.
The next article is the third installment of the "Ukulele on the Hill" series. This series focuses on the work of Canadian James Hill. This issue examines his latest tour around Japan, stopping into 10 places. On this tour, he offers workshops making use of "Sakura, sakura", probably the best know Japanese traditional song arranged in three parts.
The third is the 17th installment of "Ukulele Iwao Style". This article discusses some of his experiences while doing a series of series of events at record stores and a concert in Tokyo following the release of his "Hawaiian Morning" album. Perhaps the most interesting comment was one about his meeting a young boy. The boy apparently was quite good at playing the ukulele as the mother was eager to show him off. The comment noted that as a young kid starting out on an ukulele, he will have lots of potential. As more young children become interested in playing the ukulele, the intrument will gain more acceptance as a good, solid instrument in its own right.
The next article is another interview. This time with Owa Yoshio, who released his "Legend of Hawiian Guitar--Best Selection" album "featuring ukulele and resonator guitar". According to a description I found elsewhere, the songs in the album are:
01： Lag Rag
02： Kaupo Store
03： Lazy River
04： Uwehe Ami & Slide
05： Opihi Moe Moe
06： Ten Tiny Toes〜S-H-I-N-E
07： Ka Makani Ka'ili Aloha
08： I'm Livin' On Easy
09： Guava Jam
10： Maui Chimes
11： Harvest Of Rainbow
12： Ka'a ahi Kahului
13： On A Little Bamboo Bridge
14： 12th Street Rag
15： Lover Come Back To Me
16： Ukulele Blues
17： Yellow Roses
18： Come Stay With Me
The article mentions that he has recently been focusing on Hawaiian Blues.
After this, there are the two introductions of ukulele craftsment and an article about Miyaji-TIKI--a Japanese ukulele player that has been active in Germany for several years and a participant in Risa Ukulele's U'COOL'LELE festival there. I will skip those two for the time being.
The first of these contains two interviews--one with Katz.seiji and the other with Matsui Tomotaka. They are the repective compilers of "Toei Ukulele Festival" and "Ukulele Mozart". Both of these books of score come complete with tabs and CDs. The Toei book contains theme songs particularly of animations and character theme songs. Toei, as some readers know, is a film and TV production outfit. Matsui, the compiler of the Mozart books admits that the arrangements are definely not for beginners and that he would balk at playing some of the pieces in public due to their demanding difficulties.
The next article is the third installment of the "Ukulele on the Hill" series. This series focuses on the work of Canadian James Hill. This issue examines his latest tour around Japan, stopping into 10 places. On this tour, he offers workshops making use of "Sakura, sakura", probably the best know Japanese traditional song arranged in three parts.
The third is the 17th installment of "Ukulele Iwao Style". This article discusses some of his experiences while doing a series of series of events at record stores and a concert in Tokyo following the release of his "Hawaiian Morning" album. Perhaps the most interesting comment was one about his meeting a young boy. The boy apparently was quite good at playing the ukulele as the mother was eager to show him off. The comment noted that as a young kid starting out on an ukulele, he will have lots of potential. As more young children become interested in playing the ukulele, the intrument will gain more acceptance as a good, solid instrument in its own right.
The next article is another interview. This time with Owa Yoshio, who released his "Legend of Hawiian Guitar--Best Selection" album "featuring ukulele and resonator guitar". According to a description I found elsewhere, the songs in the album are:
01： Lag Rag
02： Kaupo Store
03： Lazy River
04： Uwehe Ami & Slide
05： Opihi Moe Moe
06： Ten Tiny Toes〜S-H-I-N-E
07： Ka Makani Ka'ili Aloha
08： I'm Livin' On Easy
09： Guava Jam
10： Maui Chimes
11： Harvest Of Rainbow
12： Ka'a ahi Kahului
13： On A Little Bamboo Bridge
14： 12th Street Rag
15： Lover Come Back To Me
16： Ukulele Blues
17： Yellow Roses
18： Come Stay With Me
The article mentions that he has recently been focusing on Hawaiian Blues.
After this, there are the two introductions of ukulele craftsment and an article about Miyaji-TIKI--a Japanese ukulele player that has been active in Germany for several years and a participant in Risa Ukulele's U'COOL'LELE festival there. I will skip those two for the time being.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Latest Rolling Coconuts I
After almost three weeks of turmoil, I am finally able to get back to this blog. Sorry for the absence.
Two months after it came out, the most recent Rolling Coconuts has landed on my desk. The #32 issue came out 28 August. If my math serves, the next issue should be coming out later this month. I hope I can snag one faster than this one.
This issue is essentially a compliation of interviews
The cover story is an interview with Tsuji Ayano. Her music has been featured in commercials, television programs, and in an Ghibli animation film. She as just but out her double-disc "Tsuji Best" ablum.
The second article is another interview. This one is with Toda Shinji of Toda Guitars. He has put out an ukulele commemorating the release of the Ukulele Ultraman album. They are available through Kiwaya.
The third atricle also relates to the Ukulele Ultraman album. Kiyoshi Kobayashi's interview discusses his involvement with the publishing of the score and tab of the album. It is put out by Doremi, but I have been unable to find it on their website.
Anyone interested in hearing some of the tunes on the ablum might try the web page of the music publishing company, Geneon.
More to come about this issue soon.
Two months after it came out, the most recent Rolling Coconuts has landed on my desk. The #32 issue came out 28 August. If my math serves, the next issue should be coming out later this month. I hope I can snag one faster than this one.
This issue is essentially a compliation of interviews
The cover story is an interview with Tsuji Ayano. Her music has been featured in commercials, television programs, and in an Ghibli animation film. She as just but out her double-disc "Tsuji Best" ablum.
The second article is another interview. This one is with Toda Shinji of Toda Guitars. He has put out an ukulele commemorating the release of the Ukulele Ultraman album. They are available through Kiwaya.
The third atricle also relates to the Ukulele Ultraman album. Kiyoshi Kobayashi's interview discusses his involvement with the publishing of the score and tab of the album. It is put out by Doremi, but I have been unable to find it on their website.
Anyone interested in hearing some of the tunes on the ablum might try the web page of the music publishing company, Geneon.
More to come about this issue soon.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Kuricorder Quartet
These four gents are not strictly ukulele, but they do incorporate them.
Their latest ablum, "Ukulele Kuricorder", employs ukes liberally as one might expect.For samples, try the web page of their recording company, Geneon Entertainment.
Their music will probably sound fairly "novelty" to most Western listeners.Eine Kleine Nacht Musik, Darth Vader's Theme, Power to the People, and Bohemian Rapsody all performed with recorders and ukuleles no doubt go a long way to boosting that impression.They definitely are in their own orbit.
Being their most recent album suggests there have been others. Indeed, they have put in appearances on several of the Rolling Coconut-type omnibus albums like "Ukulele Star Wars" and "Ukulele Lennon". Additionally, their music has been featured in the movie "Quill". They also perform the music for a children's TV show, "Pythagoras Switch", on NHK. Their complete discography is available in Japanese on their web site.
Their latest ablum, "Ukulele Kuricorder", employs ukes liberally as one might expect.For samples, try the web page of their recording company, Geneon Entertainment.
Their music will probably sound fairly "novelty" to most Western listeners.Eine Kleine Nacht Musik, Darth Vader's Theme, Power to the People, and Bohemian Rapsody all performed with recorders and ukuleles no doubt go a long way to boosting that impression.They definitely are in their own orbit.
Being their most recent album suggests there have been others. Indeed, they have put in appearances on several of the Rolling Coconut-type omnibus albums like "Ukulele Star Wars" and "Ukulele Lennon". Additionally, their music has been featured in the movie "Quill". They also perform the music for a children's TV show, "Pythagoras Switch", on NHK. Their complete discography is available in Japanese on their web site.
Friday, September 29, 2006
About this blog
Work has begun piling up recently. It has begun to get more difficult to maintain this blog....a fate that probably befalls many of these enterprises.
I hope to continue this as long as I have something to write about, but, the frequency of postings will probably fall to about one a week for the next couple of months.There is just too much other stuff to do.
A couple of kind people have informed that they do read this. I am grateful that they have told me they read it. It removes the "barking at the moon" feeling that one can get.
I would like to take this opportunity to ask any reader if there is something in particular they would like to read about concerning ukuleles and ukulele music in Japan. With falling frequency, it would probably be a worthwhile strategy to focus on topic interesting for readers rather than go on ad nauseum about some trivial rummagings uninteresting to anyone.
Any constructive comments are welcome. (I do have moderator options switched on, so comments aren't just splashed out there for those who prefer some privacy.)
I hope to continue this as long as I have something to write about, but, the frequency of postings will probably fall to about one a week for the next couple of months.There is just too much other stuff to do.
A couple of kind people have informed that they do read this. I am grateful that they have told me they read it. It removes the "barking at the moon" feeling that one can get.
I would like to take this opportunity to ask any reader if there is something in particular they would like to read about concerning ukuleles and ukulele music in Japan. With falling frequency, it would probably be a worthwhile strategy to focus on topic interesting for readers rather than go on ad nauseum about some trivial rummagings uninteresting to anyone.
Any constructive comments are welcome. (I do have moderator options switched on, so comments aren't just splashed out there for those who prefer some privacy.)
Ukulele House
I had an informal talk with someone at Ukulele House in Honolulu at the end of August this year. He told me that there were no ukulele shops in Honolulu when they got their start about 30 years ago.
I can't testify to the accuracy of that, but in some ways, I am not terribly surprised--at least not now. Before this most recent trip to Honolulu, I decided to check out music stores in general and ukulele shops in particular. What I found was a bit of a surprise. There are something like 180 albums of Hawaiian music put out per year; lots of school kids learn the ukulele in Hawaiian schools, there are endless musicians playing in bars, hotels, lounges, and parks. And yet, Honolulu music supplies do not seem to be a big retail commodity. Almost all the shops that I found were considerably more compact and down-home that I had anticipated.
I decided to ask local musician and shop people where the best place to get scores for uke/Hawaiian music. Interestingly, everyone pointed me in the same direction--including a winner of a Na Hoku Hanohano Award I was privileged to talk with! It seems Harry's Music is just about the big shop for music in Honolulu.
While Harry’s was worth the trip on the bus, it is not the sort of place one is likely to find on Japanese tourist circuit. It gave me more of the impression of a musical wizards shop than the sort of place the Kalakaua Avenue crowd would gravitate towards.
Ukulele House has shifted out of it previous location in the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center. It now has four locations. Although it is not marked on their webpage, for reasons beyond me, they have two shops in the Ala Moana Shopping Center, which is the big shopping mall and transit center just off the west end of Waikiki. They also have a small shop in a shopping center just across from the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center. These three of the four are places accessible to many tourist, no matter where they may be from. They also have much more of a Hawaiian ambiance that tourist would prefer to Harry’s work-a-day paint and panel board atmosphere.
It is not much of a surprise to discover most of the staff in all the shops are either Japanese or Japanese speakers. Most of the customers are Japanese, probably by a large margin. Additionally, the owner is a man that immigrated to Hawaii some 30 years ago.
Perhaps as an attempt to balance out PuaPua’s web presence, Ukulele House has got their website going as well, but it doesn’t seem nearly as developed as their rival’s.
A large majority of the ukes hanging on Ukulele House’s walls when I was there were Tangis. The Hawaiian-made merchandise probably ships to their waiting list.
The Ukulele House also offers free ukulele lessons for tourists. These are aimed more at the beginner than more advance players. I had my daughter take a lesson at one of the shops. A very nice lady who has quite a touch with children taught her one-on-one. She managed to get my daughter more interested again than she had been for some time. However, when I quizzed her about a couple of ways to do triplets, she confessed ignorance. The purpose of the lessons is probably to launch the strumming careers of those who have just bought their first uke or are thinking of getting their first. I do have to note, however, that some of the staff do seem to play pretty well. It may well be that she taught the lesson given that the student was an eight-year-old.
I can't testify to the accuracy of that, but in some ways, I am not terribly surprised--at least not now. Before this most recent trip to Honolulu, I decided to check out music stores in general and ukulele shops in particular. What I found was a bit of a surprise. There are something like 180 albums of Hawaiian music put out per year; lots of school kids learn the ukulele in Hawaiian schools, there are endless musicians playing in bars, hotels, lounges, and parks. And yet, Honolulu music supplies do not seem to be a big retail commodity. Almost all the shops that I found were considerably more compact and down-home that I had anticipated.
I decided to ask local musician and shop people where the best place to get scores for uke/Hawaiian music. Interestingly, everyone pointed me in the same direction--including a winner of a Na Hoku Hanohano Award I was privileged to talk with! It seems Harry's Music is just about the big shop for music in Honolulu.
While Harry’s was worth the trip on the bus, it is not the sort of place one is likely to find on Japanese tourist circuit. It gave me more of the impression of a musical wizards shop than the sort of place the Kalakaua Avenue crowd would gravitate towards.
Ukulele House has shifted out of it previous location in the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center. It now has four locations. Although it is not marked on their webpage, for reasons beyond me, they have two shops in the Ala Moana Shopping Center, which is the big shopping mall and transit center just off the west end of Waikiki. They also have a small shop in a shopping center just across from the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center. These three of the four are places accessible to many tourist, no matter where they may be from. They also have much more of a Hawaiian ambiance that tourist would prefer to Harry’s work-a-day paint and panel board atmosphere.
It is not much of a surprise to discover most of the staff in all the shops are either Japanese or Japanese speakers. Most of the customers are Japanese, probably by a large margin. Additionally, the owner is a man that immigrated to Hawaii some 30 years ago.
Perhaps as an attempt to balance out PuaPua’s web presence, Ukulele House has got their website going as well, but it doesn’t seem nearly as developed as their rival’s.
A large majority of the ukes hanging on Ukulele House’s walls when I was there were Tangis. The Hawaiian-made merchandise probably ships to their waiting list.
The Ukulele House also offers free ukulele lessons for tourists. These are aimed more at the beginner than more advance players. I had my daughter take a lesson at one of the shops. A very nice lady who has quite a touch with children taught her one-on-one. She managed to get my daughter more interested again than she had been for some time. However, when I quizzed her about a couple of ways to do triplets, she confessed ignorance. The purpose of the lessons is probably to launch the strumming careers of those who have just bought their first uke or are thinking of getting their first. I do have to note, however, that some of the staff do seem to play pretty well. It may well be that she taught the lesson given that the student was an eight-year-old.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Puapua
As promised in the last post, this blog will start looking at the Hawaiian connection for ukuleles.
As may be expected, a lot of Japanese ukulele enthusiasts having the dough would like a Hawaiian-made, Hawaiian koa ukulele. Of course, buying one in Japan often implies selling off the house or an offspring on the black market. Prices are roughly twice what you might pay in North America for the same instrument. Kamakas in particular demand a human sacrifice at the rim of an active volcano.
In steps Puapua. A fellow from Japan, Nishimoto Ken, set up an ukulele shop in an upscale (at least for me) Waikiki hotel. While his shop, Puapua, caters mostly to Japanese tourist in Waikiki, it also sells Hawaiian ukuleles over the internet at slightly higher prices than perhaps Elderly Music, but considerably cheaper than what you are likely to find in Japan.As far as I can make out, it is really this business that keeps the cash flowing in. My visits to his shop have always been punctuated by stacks of wrapped ukes heading for the airport on courier trolleys.
Like Ukulele House (the subject planned for the next posting), staff will give newbies a free 30 lesson on playing some simple song. Even if the staff is not Japanese, they can usually handle enough Japanese to get through the lesson. Puapua also has lessons taught by Bruce Shimabukuro (Jake's brother), Jody Kamasato, and Hawaiian style ukulele lessons by Tyler. These are popular with Japanese tourists.
Although I have no proof or direct evidence whatsoever, I would be inclined to speculate that Puapua and Ukulele House might be partially responsible for lengthened waiting lists for Kamakas, Koaholas, G Strings, and other well-known ukuleles. These have helped linguistically challenged Japanese to buy ukuleles directly from the source in their own language, an avenue long closed to many.
As may be expected, a lot of Japanese ukulele enthusiasts having the dough would like a Hawaiian-made, Hawaiian koa ukulele. Of course, buying one in Japan often implies selling off the house or an offspring on the black market. Prices are roughly twice what you might pay in North America for the same instrument. Kamakas in particular demand a human sacrifice at the rim of an active volcano.
In steps Puapua. A fellow from Japan, Nishimoto Ken, set up an ukulele shop in an upscale (at least for me) Waikiki hotel. While his shop, Puapua, caters mostly to Japanese tourist in Waikiki, it also sells Hawaiian ukuleles over the internet at slightly higher prices than perhaps Elderly Music, but considerably cheaper than what you are likely to find in Japan.As far as I can make out, it is really this business that keeps the cash flowing in. My visits to his shop have always been punctuated by stacks of wrapped ukes heading for the airport on courier trolleys.
Like Ukulele House (the subject planned for the next posting), staff will give newbies a free 30 lesson on playing some simple song. Even if the staff is not Japanese, they can usually handle enough Japanese to get through the lesson. Puapua also has lessons taught by Bruce Shimabukuro (Jake's brother), Jody Kamasato, and Hawaiian style ukulele lessons by Tyler. These are popular with Japanese tourists.
Although I have no proof or direct evidence whatsoever, I would be inclined to speculate that Puapua and Ukulele House might be partially responsible for lengthened waiting lists for Kamakas, Koaholas, G Strings, and other well-known ukuleles. These have helped linguistically challenged Japanese to buy ukuleles directly from the source in their own language, an avenue long closed to many.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Japanese ukuleles in Hawaii
This blog is returning to life after a month of downtime. It has been an eventful month for me, despite this (actually, because of this), this blog has been neglected. The time for revival has come.
Given the numbers of Japanese tourists going to Hawaii each year and Japanese enthusiasm for things Hawaiian, it is not surprising that there is a kind of Japanese ukulele circuit there.
Starting with the next post, we can take a tour of what this curcuit reveals.
Given the numbers of Japanese tourists going to Hawaii each year and Japanese enthusiasm for things Hawaiian, it is not surprising that there is a kind of Japanese ukulele circuit there.
Starting with the next post, we can take a tour of what this curcuit reveals.
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