Ukeke

The 'ūkēkē is a musical bow 16 to 24 inches long and about 1 1/2 inches wide with two or three strings fastened through and around either end. The strings were strummed with one hand while the other hand kept the 'ūkēkē in position. The mouth would then act as a resonating chamber.

The old experts made no sound with the vocal cords, but the mouth acted as a resonance chamber. The resulting sound suggested speech and trained persons could understand. It was sometimes used for love making.

The only stringed instrument indigenous to Hawaii (since the guitar is from Spain and the Ukulele is originally from Portugual). Played with the mouth as a resonator and strummed with the hand. The 'ūkēkē is made from Hawaiian koa wood and has three steel strings tuned to an A major triad (A, C#, E). In the olden days gut or coconut string (sennit) was used. There are stories of how two friends could hold a secretive conversation with each other while playing their 'ūkēkē in public. Hawaiian artists such as Palani Vaughn and Ranga Pae have incorporated the 'ūkēkē into their compositions.

Bibliography

* Roberts, Helen H. 1967. Ancient Hawaiian Music. New York: Dover Publications
* Mary Kawena Pukui 1986 Hawaiian Dictionary. University of Hawaii Press

External links

[http://www.rangapae.com/instruments.htm 'Ukeke] - A sound clip of the 'ukeke performed by Ranga Pae