Octave Ukes

          To my ear, the octave uke sounds a bit like a viola -- with deeply resonant notes.  I've been exploring this idea in these YouTube videos below.  An octave ukulele is a baritone uke, strung with octave strings. It is a full octave lower than a tenor ukulele. Ukes are affordable, portable instruments which are a perfect first instrument for children -- or adults.  I'm particularly fond of the Makala Baritone uke, which sells new for $99.  Buy it at your local music store, when possible.  Your thoughts?  pshapiro @ his.com

          And would you like your local public library to lend out octave ukes? Assemble a few other people with a similar interest -- and then ask your library if they could do so. (Please let me know if that happens.)  You are a member of your local Friends of the Library group, right? 

           If you're a medical musician, I'd love to hear from you, too. I recently finished reading Andrew Schulman's excellent book,  Waking the Spirit: A Musician's Journey Healing Body, Mind, and Soul The related 30-minute documentary, Andrew and Wendy, by Josh Aronson, is also outstanding.