BSU Senior College

Bridgewater Senior College Spring 2026

I'm teaching History of the 'Ukulele in American Popular Culture. The class starts March 18 and will be held 11:00 am - 12:20 pm in the Bridgewater Public Library.

Course Description

The ‘ukulele has become one of the most popular instruments among amateur and professional musicians because it’s affordable, portable, and easy to learn to play. This course outlines the history of the ‘ukulele in the American (US) context, from the arrival of the Portuguese machete de braga in the Hawaiian Islands in the 19th century to modern-day masters. We will explore the various waves of popularity of the ‘ukulele and how media such as recording, radio, film, television, and the internet have played a part. Bring your ‘ukulele (optional) and learn songs from the era or style that we are studying that week. This class is for players and non-players. If you don't play yet, basic instruction can be provided so you can play along, too. 

The slides from each week are available in our Google folder.

Week 1 - Arrival in Hawai'i

Outline

• Hawai’i and the West

• Hawai’i and Its Music – Pre-Contact

• Portuguese Settlers in Hawai’i

• Portuguese Origins of the ‘Ukulele

• Arrival in Hawai’i

• Adoption of the ‘Ukulele in Hawai’i

• Role of King David and Queen Lili’oukalani

Songs

• Hawai'i Pono'i

• Aloha 'Oe

Week 2 - Moving to the Mainland

Outline

• Tourism

• Entertainment venues and opportunities

  • Fairs and expos

    • Chicago Expo 1893

    • Pan American 1912

  • Vaudeville

  • Shows

  • Social clubs

• Instrument manufacturing and sales

  • Mainland instrument makers

  • Sales

  • nstruction

Songs

• Aloha ‘oe

• On the Beach at Waikiki

Week 3 - Early Recordings, Radio, and Film

Outline

• Sheet Music

  • Brief history of sheet music publishing in the US

  • Examples related to Hawaiian music and the ukulele

• Recordings

  • Brief history of early recording technology

    • Wax cylinders

    • Flat shellac discs

    • Electrical recording

  • Examples related to Hawaiian music and the ukulele

• Film

  • Brief history of early film (“silent” and sound era)

  • Examples

Songs

• Sweet Leilani

Lester S. Levy Sheet Music Collection

Historical American Sheet Music, Duke University

California Sheet Music Project

UCSB Cylinder Archive

Discography of American Historical Recordings

Week 4 - Television

Outline

• Plastics

• Arthur Godfrey

• Influence on next generation

• Tiny Tim

Songs

• The Ukulele Song

Week 5 - The Internet Age

Outline

• Hawaiian Renaissance

• Sons of Hawaii

• Makaha Sons of Ni’ihau

• Israel “Iz” Kamakawiwo’ole

• Other factors including the Internet

Songs

• Ahi Wela (as recorded by Iz)

Week 6 - Kanikapila!

YouTube Playlist

Gentle Music Theory for 'Ukulele Players

This winter I offered a short course on music theory for ukulele players (scales, chords, transposing, etc.). This 4-session course is best suited to curious advanced beginners and above. The course was held on Zoom and recorded. You can access the course and materials until May 18 and take your learning to the next level. The course is free but tips are accepted and greatly appreciated. You can learn more here. 

Handouts

All of the handouts from the Bridgewater Senior College class can be found in this Google folder:

handouts