I found this article on the Daily Mail (.co.uk)
There's a new instrument in town: Pupils at Rood End Primary in the West Midlands play their ukuleles beside binned recorders Headmistress Barbara Carter said: 'There is an element of the children liking them because they look like a guitar so they think they're cooler.
Inspiration: Banjolele at the ready, George Formby entertains British troops in Normandy in 1944
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Bob Whitmarsh, secretary of the Society of Recorder Players, said it would be a shame if the recorder disappeared from schools.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1196849/Goodbye-recorders-hello-ukuleles--Schools-ditch-wind-instruments-favour-George-Formby-strummers.html#ixzz2kRlRnqbf
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By DAVID WILKES
For generations their shrill sound has echoed through school corridors.
But now recorders are being replaced by an instrument that is easier on the ears - the ukulele.
Not only do they produce rather less dribble, but they have more 'street cred' with pupils and are simpler to play, according to teachers.
One of the first schools to make the switch is Rood End Primary in Oldbury, West Midlands, where ukuleles were introduced at the start of this academic year.
There's a new instrument in town: Pupils at Rood End Primary in the West Midlands play their ukuleles beside binned recorders Headmistress Barbara Carter said: 'There is an element of the children liking them because they look like a guitar so they think they're cooler.
'But the main benefit we're finding is that it's far easier to get a fairly instant, pleasing sound from a ukulele than a recorder, especially when they are playing together in a group or along with other instruments.
'The pitch of a standard recorder is incredibly high and if you don't blow it gently enough it can shriek.
'On top of that, you've got to move your fingers about a lot over the holes to pick out notes to play a tune, which can be quite difficult and make the children frustrated.
Inspiration: Banjolele at the ready, George Formby entertains British troops in Normandy in 1944
'With the ukulele, they can see where they have to put their fingers on the fretboard and strum the same chord for a few bars without having to change.
' It means everyone can get involved, and when the children do ukulele performances in assembly everyone can sing along. It's fun, inclusive and brings everyone together.'
The 300-pupil school has bought dozens of ukuleles, costing as little as £12 each. The idea was put forward by a member of staff who plays the ukulele as a hobby.
Fred Pearson, secretary of the Ukulele Society of Great Britain, welcomed the instrument's growing appeal among youngsters.
He said: 'A lot of people will find that it is relatively easy to play. With the recorder it's hard to get to the point where you can play anything impressive.
'With the ukulele you can get going and get great songs played in just a day.'
The ukulele also has the advantage of allowing you to sing along as you strum.
Bob Whitmarsh, secretary of the Society of Recorder Players, said it would be a shame if the recorder disappeared from schools.
He said: 'There's a lot to be said for it as a first instrument to learn music on. There's a lot of skill and coordination involved in mastering it and it's a marvellous thing to take forward into later life.'
A study by the Institute of Education found the instrument most commonly used by children aged five to 16 at state schools in England and Wales is the violin, followed by the guitar, flute, clarinet, keyboards, trumpet, piano and drums.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1196849/Goodbye-recorders-hello-ukuleles--Schools-ditch-wind-instruments-favour-George-Formby-strummers.html#ixzz2kRlRnqbf
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