Where did the sudden fascination with these spring from? I’ve noticed the window of every music shop in Ipswich is full with them; and I’ve just heard one being played on Radio Maria NL. But when I was in school a ukelele was still viewed as a comedy instrument; especially in the UK where it is associated with George Formby.
Some time between the 1980s and now ukeleles have become “more serious instruments”. particularly amongst “indie/shoegaze kids” who previously would have played full size guitars. Although obviously smaller, They do not appear to be that much cheaper nor easier to play (although I’ve never really tried to play either). Is this a product of being in a coastal border area of Northern Europe; or is this more widespread?
