Ukulele Tonya

I really enjoy the variety and vitality of Hawaiian music, both traditional and contemporary. But for many folks, it’s tough to get their tongues in line with pronouncing the Hawaiian words—there are just so many vowels and the words seem to go on forever!

This Hawaiian Language Primer, compiled from a variety of sources (see footnote on first page of the document to access the weblinks), can go a long way in helping you to sound out Hawaiian words more accurately. It provides “just the basics” but I guarantee you’ll feel more comfortable next time you strum and play the line from “Little Grass Shack” where it talks about the humuhumunukunukuapua’a swimming by…

Also, if you’d like to learn some traditional or contemporary Hawaiian songs, it’s tough without knowing the melody. I have several CD/songbook combinations I could suggest if you’re interested.

While I was adding files, I’ve updated the article about “Buying an Ukulele” with more current information.

I realized at our last meeting of Ukuleles of Paradise that a lot of folks have only a minimal knowledge of Hawaiian music. It’s just not something they’re familiar with or have heard much (if at all!). To help remedy that, I’ve written a very brief primer on the topic, “Learning About Hawaiian Music” and I have posted it in the Files section of this site. The article includes a (brief) summary of what you might hear in Hawaiian music as well as an abundance of links for online Hawaiian radio, vintage recordings, places to listen to/purchase Hawaiian music and even an online site where you listen to traditional songs and speak Hawaiian while you play along on your ukulele!

While you’re in that section of the site, you may want browse around and see what other files you might be interested in. I created most of these for members of the local ukulele group to help answer questions or as topics for a future meeting.

It’s been a week since we returned from our 11-day trip to the Big Island and I’m still smiling as I recall all the great ukulele fun I was able to enjoy (and the smiles are still there in spite of coming back home to 41-degree weather and rain!).

If you’ve never had the chance to visit Hawaii and play ukulele with friends there, let this account clue you in to the great fun—and learning—that can be yours in the land of sun, surf, sand and GCEA tuning (if you’re not a “word” person and just want to skip to the pictures, go here):

Travel and lodging
We took Hawaiian Airlines from Sacramento to Kona Airport, via Honolulu. Definitely sign up for their frequent flyer program, Hawaiian Miles, even if you’re not one (yet) and don’t even have any trips planned at this time. Credits/miles can be transferred at no cost to/from friends and family members and with only 35,000 miles you can book a round-trip ticket from the West Coast to any Hawaiian island. Get the HA Visa credit card and you get one mile credit on your Hawaiian Miles account for each dollar charged—sweet! (Read on …)