The British press has been abuzz the last few days that the ukulele was replacing the recorder as the instrument of choice for children in schools. Recorderphiles need not panic though … the new survey ranked with the recorder in a dead tie, with 15% of students learning each of these great instruments. The last time the instruments were surveyed, the recorder was at 15% and the ukulele was 1%. This means there’s been a 14% increase in students learning a musical instrument and that the recorder has lost no love (I have 2 sopraninos, sopranos, altos and 1 tenor myself).

The Times goes further to raise the alarm by stating that classical guitar teachers fear the instrument will threaten the future of the classical guitar! Poppycock. I do a pretty good job of keeping an eye on the ukulele world and there is a large segment of the ukulele community interested in classical playing and the ukulele is a wonderful bridge instrument for children that may get interested in classical guitar later on in life.

I’m not suggesting that the ukulele is not a great end in itself, but all this press-amplified stirring of the pot to make a controversy where none exists is simply for selling ads.

Now if you, like I, think kids could benefit from some ukulele love, consider this article from Ukulele Magazine about Ukulele Kids Club and if your feeling the love this giving Tuesday, spread some ukulele joy by making a donation that will provide ukes to kids in hospitals.

P.S. This is not an affiliate or sponsored post, just a cause I think is great.

Post filed under All UkulelePlay! Blog Posts.