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The Tropical Sound of the Ukulele 乌克丽丽的夏威夷风情

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In popular music, guitars often provide the rhythm and melody for hit songs. But when it comes to capturing the ambiance of a tropical paradise, another instrument takes center stage. Perhaps you’ve seen Fish Leong strumming one on the beach in her music video. Or, you may have heard its exotic tone in the background while watching the hit Japanese film Hula Girls. This tiny instrument is called a ukulele.

流行音乐中，吉他在当红歌曲中常扮演节奏和旋律的角色。但是若要营造热带天堂的氛围，则由另一项乐器主导。也许你看过梁静茹在她的音乐录像带中来回地刷弦。或者，曾在看卖座的日本电影《扶桑花女孩》时听到背景音乐有着充满异国风情的音色。这把迷你乐器就叫做乌克丽丽。

The ukulele originated in Hawaii during the 19th century and from there it quickly spread throughout the world. In structure, ukuleles resemble tiny acoustic guitars, but there are some noticeable differences. Ukuleles only have four strings as opposed to the six on a standard guitar. Also, plucking their nylon strings produces a unique, twangy sound. Their portability and relatively inexpensive price tag make them popular with traveling musicians.

乌克丽丽起源于19世纪的夏威夷，从那时起它就迅速地被推广到全世界。就结构上来看，乌克丽丽长得像小木吉他，但仍有些明显的差异。乌克丽丽相对于有六条弦的吉他，只有四条弦。此外，它的尼龙弦一经弹拨会发出一种特殊的共鸣声响。其携带方便、标价又较便宜的特色，使它广受四处旅行游走音乐家的欢迎。

Over the years, a few notable ukulele players have achieved mainstream success. In the 1930s, George Formby shot to stardom in the UK by writing comical songs which were accompanied by his ukulele playing. Later, American John King made audiences take notice with his stunning renditions of Bach classics transposed to the ukulele. Today, Jake Shimabukuro is a modern master whose lightning-fast fingers have electrified audiences around the globe. In addition to his original songs, Shimabukuro also delights audiences with his innovative renditions of pop tunes like Michael Jackson’s Thriller or the Beatles’ While My Guitar Gently Weeps. So if you’re looking for some tunes to spice up your musical collection, consider picking up an album that features the ukulele.

这么多年来，几位受注目的乌克丽丽演奏家已成功立足于主流音乐界。1930年代乔治．福姆比因写出用乌克丽丽伴奏的有趣歌曲而在英国迅速成为巨星。接着，美国人约翰．金因以乌克丽丽精彩重现巴哈的经典名曲而吸引了众多听众。而今日则有岛袋杰克──一位闪电般急速指法震慑全球听众的当代大师。除了他创作的曲目外，岛袋还以创新风格重新诠释许多流行歌曲，让听众大饱耳福，例如麦可．杰克森的《颤栗》及披头四的《当我的吉他轻轻地啜泣》。所以如果你正在搜寻一些曲目让你的音乐收藏更有变化，不如找张有乌克丽丽的专辑吧！

－by Jamie Blackler

Vocabulary

单词发音

ambiance [`æmbɪəns] n. 气氛; 情调; 环境

strum [strʌm] v.（漫不经心地）弹（弦乐器）

exotic [ɛgˋzɑtɪk] adj. 异国情调的；奇特的

ukulele [jukəˋlelɪ] （夏威夷的）尤克里里琴，四弦琴

resemble [rɪˋzɛmb!] v. 类似

acoustic [əˋkustɪk] adj. 音响的; 原声的; 不加电子设备传声的

noticeable [ˋnotɪsəb!] adj. 显而易见的，显著的

pluck [plʌk] v. 拨；弹

twangy [twæŋɪ] adj. 弦震动共鸣的声音的 a sharp, vibrating sound, as that of a plucked string

portability [͵portəˋbɪlətɪ] n. 可携带；轻便

stardom [ˋstɑrdəm] n. 明星的地位

accompany [əˋkʌmpənɪ] v. 为……伴奏，为……伴唱

stunning [ˋstʌnɪŋ] adj. 引人注目的；美妙的

rendition [rɛnˋdɪʃən] n. 表演；演奏

transpose [trænsˋpoz] v.【音】变调

lightning-fast 闪电般快速的 very fast

electrify [ɪˋlɛktrə͵faɪ] v. 使震惊；使激动

More Information

片语发音

take center stage 成为焦点  to be the center of interest

shoot to stardom 迅速走红

Reading Questions

1.    When was the ukulele invented?

(A)  It was made in the 19th century in Hawaii.

(B)  It was created in the 1930s by George Formby.

(C)  It was built in the 1960s for rock musicians.

(D)  It was manufactured in the 19th century by John King.

2.    Which of the following would probably NOT feature a ukulele?

(A)  An original composition written by Bach.

(B)  A scene from the Japanese film Hula Girls.  

(C)  A music video featuring Fish Leong.

(D)  A concert played on a beach in Hawaii.

3.    What would be another good title for this article?

(A)  Keeping Your Ukulele in Tune

(B)  The History of the Tropics

(C)  The Magic of Jake Shimabukuro

(D)  A Bit about the Ukulele

in tune: 调子准确 in a state where musical notes are at their proper intervals so that none are flat or sharp

Jake Shimabukuro - Hula Girl

Hula Girls Trailer (with English Subtitles)

George Formby - When i'm cleaning windows

Bach Prelude: John King ukulele

more videos

Jake Shimabukuro - Thriller (MJ Tribute) (Schenectady, NY)

Jake Shimabukuro - "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" 

Answer