The ukulele. It may look like just a miniature guitar, but the ukulele is much more than that and holds a whole new world of musical possibilities that, for most, have yet to be discovered. It’s unique. It’s cute. It’s easy to play. What more reasons do you need? Ukuleles are trending here at Pepperdine for reasons that have yet to be determined. Until now.
If you go to the world genre of iTunes, you’ll see that the top single is “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. As you may have gathered, the ukulele was originally popularized in Hawaii but was filtered into mainstream music with Iz’s 1993 ukulele rendition of Judy Garland’s original “Over the Rainbow.” Now, with popular songs like “Hey, Soul Sister” by Train and “You and I” by Ingrid Michaelson featuring the ukulele, the little unassuming music maker is quickly becoming a highly desired accessory.
At Pepperdine, the ukulele is a popular musical selection for Coffeehouses, or is a portable substitute for those who don’t want to transport a bulky guitar. The ukulele is often an appealing choice for those with no musical experience because it is generally inexpensive and easy to learn. It is also a popular second outlet for those who already play guitar as a natural extension of the skill.
Junior Dana Cargioli was far ahead of the trend before even coming to Pepperdine.
“I taught myself my senior year of high school,” Cargioli said. 
“I had always been a singer, and I tried guitar and failed, and tried piano and failed. So after watching a girl play ukulele on YouTube, I decided, ‘Hey, I can do that too.’”
The ukulele appeals to many because it is easily self-taught, as long as you have the commitment to learn it.
“A lot of people ask me to help them learn ukulele, and I always tell them that it’s not a problem,” Cargioli continued. “Hardly anybody follows up on it though.”
So, if you can actually play the ukulele (more than a few basic chords and a delivery of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”), it shows you’re committed to learning how to play the instrument.
“For me, learning ukulele was a motivation to continue learning to play the guitar,” freshman Meagan Arthur said. “I missed playing the guitar, so I wanted something more portable for school.”
Arthur received her ukulele in the mail as a birthday gift this past fall, after which she noticed an upward trend in ukuleles around school.
“I think I liked it better before it was a trend actually,” Arthur admitted.
For others however, the trend has peaked their curiosity and has resulted in new purchases of ukuleles around school.
“I ordered mine last December after seeing a lot of Facebook posts and hearing people say that they had just bought ukuleles,” freshman Catherine Kern said. “I think it’s a lot more popular here because we live by the beach, and it has a very island and Hawaiian feel to it.”
The ukulele’s unique sound and size add to its popularity. A favorite pasttime of most ukulele players is covering their favorite songs on the “uke” for the different tone that it gives to them.
“I like covering sad songs and making them sound happy,” Cargioli said. One of her favorites to perform is “Almost Lover” by A Fine Frenzy. “I’m also working on ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ right now,” she added. “I like playing songs that really aren’t meant to be played on ukulele just to hear how it’ll sound.”
The ukulele appeals to many because it is the instrument that can be played by anyone. Cargioli was inspired to learn the ukulele by YouTube user Julia Nunes, who is an independent singer-songwriter. If you type in “I’m Yours, ukulele,” on YouTube, the first hit is an adorable little Asian boy no more than five years old jamming to Jason Mraz.
In honor of the New Year, Zooey Deschanel posted a video of herself playing the ukulele with Joseph-Gordon Levitt on guitar of the two singing “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?”
According to Arthur, it seems that the only people who do not appreciate ukuleles are those not playing them.
“My suitemates probably aren’t too happy with me all the time,” Arthur joked.
Cargioli even admitted to being annoyed at hearing one of her fellow dorm members playing the ukulele once. “For some reason it was just really annoying to me at the time, but I think it was because I was trying to take a nap.”
Arthur admitted to similar feelings: “I think it’s a lot more fun when you’re playing it yourself, but it can get annoying just hearing other people practice.”
The ukulele is easily learned by anyone, it’s portable and at least for now, it’s kind of a novelty that not that many people have. But if you decide you’re going to learn the ukulele now because it’s super easy and fun, please don’t take it lightly. If you’re going to play the ukulele, play it right, allowing the proper time commitment and dedication. Otherwise, you’re going to start a new trend of hastily discarded, smashed ukuleles, brought on by the wrath of annoyed neighbors and ex-friends who didn’t want to hear “Hey, Soul Sister” for the 100th time.
