Ukulele (also called uke) is a small guitar from Portuguese, popularized in Hawaii in the 1880s and strung typically with four strings. In the Hawaiian language, the word ukulele roughly translates as 'jumping flea', perhaps because of the movement of the player's fingers. Legend owes it to the nickname of Englishman named Edward William Purvis, one of King Kalฤkaua's officers, because of his small figure, fidgety manner, and ukulele skills. In 1879 Portuguese immigrants arrived in the Hawaiian Islands. They brought several of their native instruments, among them was this small four-stringed guitar. Purvis liked this new instrument and quickly learned to play it. This small guitar quickly became his favorite and it took the nickname of the man who had made it popular. I love playing it because it was very portable and easy to learn. Besides, who doesn't love the sound of ukulele? ๐
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