UKULELE MUSINGS 2020—Number 4, “A Strum of Ukers”

What do we call a group of ukulele players? Let’s come up with a new word!

Searching through my trove of ukulele related thoughts and photos from the past few years, I ran across this posting that seems worth another look and a bit of an update. So, here goes!

 We enjoy playing our ukuleles and our enjoyment is multiplied by the number of friends with whom we play.  That enjoyment is multiplied again when we perform as a group before an audience.  That makes us “performers” rather than merely “players.” Throughout ukulele history, performing groups have dotted the musical landscape.  Needless to say, we have our own here in our Happy Valley.

Here’s the Scramble playing ukes from my collection! What fun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FIa03KUUSU

Give these folks a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTMWoB-V2bw

All of these performing groups–to say nothing of various “strum sessions” keep us both busy and entertained week to week and throughout the year. And, of course, there is our own Saturday Strum Session.

While there are collective nouns for groups of animals—a murder of crows,

a bask of crocodiles,

a crowder of kittens, etc.—

alas, there seems to be no such noun for ukulele players.  Therefore, I hereby humbly propose: “A Strum of Ukers.”  Let’s see if it catches on!

To return to the theme . . .  There have been numerous photographs taken throughout ukulele history of groups of ukulele players or performers that have found their way into my Picasa file.  A one-man-band seems to fit in,

but I am going to focus on pics that feature Strums of Ukers (sounds good!)

Here are some from days of yore.

Here are some from today.

A huge strum of ukers from New Zealand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThD6LQyGA9A

The music goes on and on, particularly with a STRUM of Ukers!

STAY TUNED!