In Your Face Mandolins!

Paul December · Mar 4, 2010

The usual comparison of popularity seems to be guitar vs. ukulele. Out of curiosity, I thought I'd compare the uke to another stringed instrument I tend to hear about as often, the mandolin.
I plugged both into Google Trends and was surprised by the gradual overtaking of mandolins by ukuleles in the way of internet traffic worldwide. I would have expected mandolins to be a bit higher.

Swampy Steve · Mar 4, 2010

ukes are definately more "user friendly" great open chords, easier to sing along with, mando chords arent usually as easy , except for a couple of open ones.
ukulele is a prettier tone too. I think.

bonden · Mar 4, 2010

Easy to see that it's a popular christmas gift. The search volume spikes at the end of each year.

bonden · Mar 4, 2010

Oh, and Paul December: I stole the link for my facebook page, hope you don't mind.

SuperSecretJohn · Mar 4, 2010

Google trends have spoken!

Notice how ukulele started surpassing mandolin right around the economic dip.

Doctroid · Mar 4, 2010

Not just mandolins. Practically every folk instrument I can think of has trended downward, or been at best flat, the past few years, according to Google Trends; the uke is the one clear exception I've found. See http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?1785-Ukulele-Surge&p=274991#post274991

haolejohn · Mar 4, 2010

SuperSecretBETA said:
Google trends have spoken!

Notice how ukulele started surpassing mandolin right around the economic dip.

That is an interesting point SSB. I know why. I have always wanted a mandolin but they are just too expensive.

WS64 · Mar 4, 2010

First we take the mandolin, then we take the banjo

kalmario · Mar 4, 2010

notice new zealand is leading the way.

Darthouellet · Mar 5, 2010

WS64 said:
First we take the mandolin, then we take the banjo

And then, WE TAKE OVER THE WORLD MWAHAHAHAHAHA!

sorry lol.

ukulelearp · Mar 5, 2010

I'm still learning my mandolin. It's fun, but nowhere near as versatile as a ukulele.

Sambient · Mar 5, 2010

WS64 said:
First we take the mandolin, then we take the banjo

I appreciate the reference there.

SuperSecretJohn · Mar 5, 2010

Also notice how the instruments have a quick jump every December for Christmas.

shwee · Mar 5, 2010

And in Jazz news, around the beginning of 2008, we began taking over the saxophone!

BREAKING NEWS: UKULELE MORE POPULAR THAN MEN IN TIGHTS!
*notice how object B in the news column asks, "What now for men in tights?"

(I'm having too much fun with this...)
We're also slowly but surely overtaking David Bowie (I couldn't resist looking for that trend...)

Alright, one more, then I quit...I promise...
SUCK IT MALFOY!

Doctroid · Mar 5, 2010

Wait, what if David Bowie takes up the ukulele? While wearing tights?

shwee · Mar 5, 2010

Well, I've already seen him in tights (in the movie Labyrinth), but if he took up the ukulele too, then I would be the happiest girl this side of the Mississippi River.

Swampy Steve · Mar 5, 2010

alec534 said:
I'm still learning my mandolin. It's fun, but nowhere near as versatile as a ukulele.

X10 ,, if your not a grasser,, the only thing I find fun is celtic & old timey stuff. chords are a b otch,

and John, you can get a "playable " mando for 200-300 if you look around > Most of the 100-200 are not so wonderful , and discouraging

cornfedgroove · Mar 5, 2010

certainly I coulda told you that mandos are no where near as popular as ukes...mandolin is too "specialized" if you will

Dirka · Mar 5, 2010

What's with all the gloating 'n stuff? I thought Ukers and Ukerettes were a peace loving bunch? Were's all the usual hippy spiel about harmony and all that? Aren't all instruments created equal?

:nana:

Swampy Steve · Mar 5, 2010

Dirka said:
What's with all the gloating 'n stuff? I thought Ukers and Ukerettes were a peace loving bunch? Were's all the usual hippy spiel about harmony and all that? Aren't all instruments created equal?

:nana:

Its all fun, but

show up at a bg jam with a oval hole , or A style mando ,, the F style guys look at you like you got a bugger on your face. LOL

In Your Face Mandolins!

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