It’s time to strum! According to the website called The National Day Calendar, February 22 is Ukulele Day. The ukulele is an instrument like a guitar but smaller and with only four strongs. The guitar has six strings.
“The word ukulele is a Hawaiian word that means ‘jumping flea.’ It became known as that because when skillfully played, it looks like the fingers are jumping around on the strings like a flea. Even though it has a Hawaiian name, the instrument was actually brought to the island by Portuguese immigrants,” according to the website.
Norah Smith, a sixth-grade student, started playing the ukulele last year in Music class at school.
“It’s really fun and I enjoy it,” Smith said. “I started by learning a few basic chords such as C, F, A minor, and G. I’m learning some harder chords like D and E.”
Smith said she chose to continue playing the ukulele over a guitar because it has fewer strings and for her that makes it easier to learn. Smith’s friend, Samanya Panda, also plays the ukulele.
“I learned ukulele in fifth grade when one of my friends had gotten a certificate for two ukulele lessons with a friend. My friend chose me for it,” Panda said.
She said it was easier than a lot of instruments to learn, as well.
