National Ukulele Day Quiz

The Portuguese brought the Ukulele to Hawaii. The instrument was introduced to the islands in the late 19th century by Portuguese immigrants who came to work in the sugarcane plantations. The Ukulele is derived from a small guitar-like instrument called the machete de braga, which was brought to Hawaii by Portuguese sailors. Over time, the Ukulele became an integral part of Hawaiian music and culture.

Ukuleles usually have 4 strings. This is the standard configuration for most ukuleles, with the strings typically tuned to G, C, E, and A. Having 4 strings allows for a wide range of chords and melodies to be played on the instrument.

The correct answer is "Wood" because traditionally, ukuleles are made from various types of wood, such as mahogany, koa, or spruce. Wood is preferred for its acoustic properties, as it produces a warm and resonant sound. Plastic, metal, and ivory are not commonly used in the construction of ukuleles due to their unsuitability for achieving the desired tone and resonance.

The given options G, C, E, and F represent the different strings on a Ukulele. However, F is not a string on a Ukulele. The standard tuning for a Ukulele is G-C-E-A, so F is not included in the options.

During the reign of King Kalākaua, the ukulele became highly popular in Hawaii. King Kalākaua was known for his love of music and arts and actively promoted Hawaiian culture and traditions. He encouraged the use of traditional Hawaiian instruments, including the ukulele, which led to its increased popularity among the people of Hawaii. King Kalākaua's support and patronage of the ukulele helped to establish it as an integral part of Hawaiian music and culture.

The term "Ukulele" in Hawaii is derived from the words "uku" meaning flea and "lele" meaning jumping. Therefore, the correct answer "Jumping Flea" accurately describes the meaning of Ukulele in Hawaii. The small size and rapid finger movements required to play the instrument are said to resemble a jumping flea, hence the name.

The given answer is correct because soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone are different sizes of ukuleles. These terms refer to the length and overall dimensions of the ukulele, with soprano being the smallest size and baritone being the largest. Each size has its own unique sound and playability, catering to different preferences and styles of playing. Therefore, the answer accurately identifies the sizes of ukuleles.

San Francisco is the correct answer because it was in this city that the ukulele was first introduced to the mainland USA. The ukulele was brought to San Francisco by Portuguese immigrants in the late 19th century, specifically by sailors who had learned to play the instrument in Hawaii. The popularity of the ukulele quickly spread from San Francisco to other parts of the country, making it an integral part of American music culture.

The ukulele was introduced in Canada in the 1960s. This implies that the instrument was not present in the country before this decade. It suggests that the popularity of the ukulele in Canada began to grow during this time, possibly due to cultural influences or trends.

The first ukulele was built in 1879. This means that the instrument was created in that specific year.