There is a cultural shift evident on Eastern Michigan University’s campus. Though once a surprising campus sight, it has become quite common to see a student nonchalantly carrying textbooks under one arm and a ukulele under the other.
Tiffany Vraibel, a freshman at EMU, says up until recently the ukulele was a very under-appreciated instrument.
“If it wasn’t for recent popular songs with [the ukulele] in it, like ‘I’m Yours’ by Jason Mraz, I think our culture would still be largely unaware of it.”
Now, many students have begun to play the ukulele. One such student is sophomore Konrad Kasparschuster. Kasparschuster played the trumpet in his high school band and decided to start plucking the uke shortly after he moved to Eastern. Though some people might find it unlikely that, of all the more popular contemporary instruments, a student would develop passion for the ukulele, Konrad thinks it’s perfectly sensible.
“The ukulele became popular about two years ago. It’s a very approachable instrument. Anyone can pick it up and learn relatively quickly how to play and then it’s a fun new thing to do. I really like playing with other people. Any of my other friends who typically play guitar, ukulele kind of adds a nice texture to it because it has a different sound.”
Senior Kyle Wackrow reciprocated this sentiment. Kyle has been merrily strumming his soprano ukulele for about a year and argued the ukulele is quite a practical instrument for a college student.
“I used to have an acoustic [guitar] and it was just too bulky. A ukulele you can pretty much take it anywhere because it’s so small.”
One of the local retailers that stocks an assortment of ukuleles is Herb David Guitar Studio of Ann Arbor. Here, musicians, be they aspiring or accomplished, may purchase ukuleles that range in prices from $30 to almost $1,000.
The staff specialist, Charlie Lorenzi, said interest in the uke pervades all age groups because it’s such an unintimidating instrument. Though he acknowledges public interest in the uke has been a rather recent trend, he clarifies it has “historically always gone up after economic crisis,” proposing the recent recession directly contributed to the uke’s renewed appeal.
Ms. Vraibel says it seems relatively logical that ukulele sales would wane as the economy waxes.
“It’s a smaller instrument. It’s probably cheaper to make and more affordable. The sound is a little a little more jovial [than the guitar], and it kind of adds lightheartedness to hard times.”
Tiffany’s assessment of the uke’s comparative affordability seems legitimate. While a decent guitar typically costs several hundred dollars, Mr. Lorenzi said a respectable ukulele can be purchased for a modest $70.
Freshman Michelle Carter concurs with Tiffany’s claim that the ukulele has an ability to soothe people during hardships. Despite having only just begun playing several weeks ago, Michelle says it’s already had an uplifting effect on her life.
“Ukulele is a very positive influence on my life. It reminds me of my family because when we went to Hawaii we all were really close so the sound reminds me of Hawaii and being that close to my family.”
