www.tonymills.me.uk

or the joy of accidentally learning the ukulele

This started out as an experiment in getting a cheap stringed instrument. I wanted to tune it to A=432hz Pythagorean tuning (rather than A=440hz concert tuning), as researched by Jamie Buturff, based on the pioneering mathematics of Marko Rodin.

This ancient tuning resonates differently with the human body as well as with other life forms, and Jamie has independent results showing much improved healing and plant growth amongst other things.

So, I spent £15 on a first ukulele…

And the thing is, it’s so hard to leave alone and so easy to play. Not to master, of course, but I found I couldn’t put the little thing down. It’s like trying to leave a puppy alone. A couple of months later it was Christmas and I requested a slightly better uke, which now goes pretty much everywhere with me and gets played every day.

I play drums (and piano as a child), but I’ve never been able to get the hang of a guitar. But the uke learning curve starts with one finger chords. I was playing ‘tunes’ in a few minutes. All most unexpected. And because it lives in a case on my shoulder most of the time, I’ve walked into many jamming opportunities with guitarist or singer friends. No roadies required. Truly, it’s a joy.

So – tuning. What about 432hz? Well, I have to admit that the uke spends most of its time tuned conventionally, mainly because of playing with others. I do re-tune to 432hz Pythagorean at times, and it is noticeable that the resonance in my body feels more full and warm when tuned this way and there is a sense of ‘knowing this from old’, for me at least. It seems a more earthy tuning, and I don’t doubt that it has some benefit. Note that you will need a tone generator or a versatile tuner to achieve this. Jamie gives exact frequencies for the notes within the 432 Docs link on his website. Also (for Mac) there is an excellent shareware Chromatic Tuner with an option for Pythagorean.

For the small and friendly ukulele there is a huge and friendly community.

Here are some interesting starter links:

• Ukulele Underground
• Uke Hunt
• Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain
• James Hill
• Mighy Uke Movie