The Jumping Flea: A Short History of the Ukulele (From Portugal to Dubbo)
At Legends Music Dubbo, we're passionate about ukuleles. We stock everything from beginner sopranos to professional tenor models. But have you ever wondered where this happy little instrument actually came from?
The story might surprise you. The ukulele isn't originally Hawaiian at all, it's Portuguese.
From Madeira to the Pacific
The ukulele's journey begins on the island of Madeira, a Portuguese speck in the Atlantic Ocean. There, in the mid-1800s, locals played a small, four-string instrument called the machete (pronounced "ma-CHET") or braguinha. It was easy to transport, had a bright, cheerful voice, and was played everywhere, from street corners to family gatherings.
In 1879, poverty and famine pushed many Madeirans to seek a new life across the world. The Hawaiian sugar industry was booming and needed workers. So over 25,000 Madeirans boarded ships for the long voyage to the Pacific.
Among them were three woodworkers, Manuel Nunes, Augusto Dias, and Jose do Espirito Santo. Also on board was a musician named João Fernandes, who entertained fellow passengers during the four-month journey by playing a borrowed machete.
When the ship, the SS Ravenscrag, finally arrived in Honolulu Harbour on August 23, 1879, Fernandes reportedly leapt onto the dock and launched into a joyful song to celebrate. The locals were captivated.
They called his instrument "ukulele", which translates to "jumping flea" , perhaps describing the rapid movement of Fernandes' fingers across the strings.
The Birth of a Legend
Nunes, Dias, and Santo eventually left the plantations and opened woodworking shops in Honolulu. They began building instruments based on the machete but made some key changes:
- They swapped the traditional Portuguese woods for koa, a golden honey-coloured timber native to Hawaii.
- They adopted the tuning of another Portuguese instrument, the five-string rajão, giving us the familiar G-C-E-A tuning.
The result was something new: a hybrid instrument that sounded sweeter and played differently from its Portuguese cousin. The ukulele was born.
Today, that evolution continues with modern interpretations like the Bourbon Street BSR-UK-C-E Concert Resonator Ukulele, which replaces the traditional wooden body with a bell brass resonator for a bold, metallic shimmer that would have turned heads in 1880s Honolulu.
Bourbon Street BSR-UK-C-E Concert Resonator Ukulele
In Stock, give us a call and ask for a deal!
Royal Approval
The instrument might have stayed a local curiosity if not for King David Kalakaua, Hawaii's last king. Known as the "Merrie Monarch", Kalakaua was a patron of the arts who adored the ukulele. He played it himself, featured it at royal events, and encouraged its spread across the islands. With royal backing, the ukulele became woven into the fabric of Hawaiian culture.
By the early 1900s, the ukulele craze had hit the American mainland, and the rest is history.
Traditional Craftsmanship: Solid Woods and Warm Tones
For players who appreciate the classic wooden construction that made the ukulele famous, we stock two outstanding ranges that honour that heritage.
The Crafter UC-300 Solid Cedar Top Concert Ukulele delivers a sweet, warm, and resonant tone thanks to its solid cedar top paired with ovangkol back and sides. It's an instrument that rewards the player with excellent dynamic response and rich sustain.
Crafter UC-300 Solid Cedar Top Ukulele - Natural Satin- In Stock, $329.00
The Alvarez Regent series offers exceptional value in both concert and tenor sizes. The RU22C Concert and RU22T Tenor are crafted from all-mahogany, delivering that warm, balanced tone Alvarez is known for. With fan bracing and dovetail neck joints, these ukes punch well above their price point.
Alvarez RU22C Regent Concert Ukulele
Amazing price $179.00
Alvarez RU22T Regent Concert Ukulele
Amazing price $199.00
Cavaquinho vs. Ukulele: What's the Difference?
Today, the Portuguese cavaquinho and the Hawaiian ukulele live on as cousins. But while the ukulele found its fame in the Pacific, the cavaquinho took a different journey, becoming the heartbeat of Brazilian music.
The Brazilian Cavaquinho: Soul of Samba and Carnaval
When Portuguese colonizers brought the cavaquinho to Brazil, it found a new home. By the 19th century it was firmly established in Rio's vibrant music scene, becoming essential to choro and later samba.
During Carnaval, the cavaquinho cuts through the enormous drum batteries of samba schools, its bright, percussive voice marking the beat and giving samba its irresistible swing. It plays what musicians call the "corte," a syncopated rhythm that drives the dancers forward.
In the late 1970s, a new sound called pagode emerged from Rio's suburban blocks. Groups like Fundo de Quintal created a faster, more energetic samba, with the cavaquinho weaving harmony and rhythm together. Later, acts like Exaltasamba and Raça Negra took pagode to millions across Brazil.
Brazil has produced true masters of the instrument. Waldir Azevedo transformed the cavaquinho from a rhythmic role into a virtuoso solo instrument with classics like "Brasileirinho." Modern stars like Arlindo Cruz and Dudu Nobre carry that tradition today.
Key Differences: Brazilian Cavaquinho vs. Ukulele
- Strings: Brazilian cavaquinhos typically use steel strings for a bright, cutting, percussive tone. Ukuleles use nylon strings, giving that warm, mellow, sweet sound. (nylon wrapped)
- Tuning: The most common Brazilian tuning is D-G-B-D. Ukulele tuning is G-C-E-A.
- Playability: Ukuleles are generally gentler on beginner fingers, one reason they're so popular for players of all ages here in Dubbo and across NSW.
So while the ukulele became the "jumping flea" of Hawaii, its Portuguese cousin became the dancing heartbeat of Brazil's Carnaval.
Modern Adaptations: Fender and the Surf Rock Era
Fast forward to the 1960s, and Fender was busy shaping the sound of surf rock with iconic electric guitars. That same design DNA lives on in the Fender Avalon Tenor Ukulele, which features Fender's legendary Stratocaster headstock. It's a beautiful nod to the surf rock era when Fender guitars provided the soundtrack to endless summer, reimagined for the modern uke player.
Fender Avalon Tenor Ukulele - Cherry, Walnut Fingerboard
On SALE $199.00
Something Completely Different: The Banjo Ukulele
For players seeking a truly unique voice, the Deering Goodtime Open-Back Concert Banjo Ukulele offers the best of both worlds. Handcrafted in the USA, this banjolele pairs the cheerful twang of a banjo with the familiar feel and easy playability of a concert ukulele. Its lightweight open-back design makes it perfect for travel, while the warm, projecting tone ensures you'll be heard at any backyard gathering or campfire session here in the Central West.
Deering Goodtime Open-Back Concert Banjo Ukulele
In Stock, call for a price.
Find Your Own Piece of History at Legends Music Dubbo
Whether you're after the warm mahogany tone of an Alvarez, the sweet resonance of a Crafter with its solid cedar top, the distinctive twang of a Deering banjo uke, the classic Fender style of the Avalon Tenor, or the unique metallic shimmer of a Bourbon Street resonator, we've got something for every player.
Pop into our store in Dubbo or browse our range online. Whether you're in Wellington, Narromine, or right here in town, we'd love to help you start your own ukulele journey.
Visit Legends Music Dubbo today, where history meets happy strumming. 🎶
Ph: 02 6885 5665
78 Macquarie St, Dubbo, 2830, NSW