Welcome to the Jumping Fleas

Aloha! I’m proud to announce the start of Homer JHS’s first ever Ukulele & Guitar Club brought to you by Mr. Melvin and Mr. Brodeur. Our goal is to spread the joy of the “jumping flea” to interested students and ultimately perform at the end of the year BBQ and other school events. The club will meet 10^th period every Friday to practice and learn new skills from strumming techniques to chord progressions to various student song selections. 

Suggestions welcome. If you come across a song you'd like to add to the Songbook, let us know and we'll post it.

Check out the links. There is a lot going on with the uke these days, it's hard to keep track of it all, but this is a good place to start.  

As for the ukes... after looking around at several vendors, I have three recommendations on good quality, entry level ukuleles that are being offered at a discount (see handout). 

Kala KA-S: soprano, laminated mahogany body, white body binding top and back, Aquila strings. ($70.20 IGW discount price-includes tax)

 

Makala MK-S: traditional soprano body, mahogany stained, laminate agathis body. ($47.52 IGW discount price-includes tax)

 

Makala MK-P: soprano pinaple shaped body, mahogany stained, laminated agathis body. Same sound and quality of the Makala MK-S, but with the different shape.  ($47.52 IGW discount price-includes tax)

Other vendors offered beginning level ukuleles, but at either a higher price or lower quality. Check out Ukulele Hunt's Tips for Buying Ukuleles   for more advice on entry level ukuleles.

Lanikai LU-21 Soprano Ukulele ($80-115) is a lot like the Kala KA-S but came in at a higher price consistently selling for around $100-115 though it can be found online at a good discount.

Diamond Head Soprano Ukuleles ($49.99 in shop / $30.61 online) look a lot like the colored Mahalo's ($31.00 online) everyone thinks of when they hear "ukulele" but for a little less with the discounted price, the Makala MK-S is the better entry level uke. See review above.