People show pluck with love for the ukulele

Two visitors take a close look at the ukuleles on display at a musical instruments exhibition in Beijing. The guitar-like stringed instrument has become popular, particularly among the young people. [Photo/China Daily]

If you walk along Beijing's streets or shops in shopping malls, you would hear the sounds of a small guitar-like musical instrument called the ukulele.

It is becoming increasingly popular among young people. This prompted Lin Hongbo, who works for an internet company, to set up the Beijing Ukulele Music Salon, a nonprofit organization for ukulele appreciation.

"Five years ago, I was like any ordinary white-collar worker in Beijing, going to a boring routine job everyday. My life was quite uninspiring until I attended a ukulele party, where I met many friends who are fond of music and the ukulele just like me," said Lin. "After the party, it hit me that I should do something to bring all these people together."

The Beijing Ukulele Music Salon was founded in 2011 and has already organized more than 20 offline activities, including performances, open courses, training sessions and parties.

The salon doesn't charge a membership fee and the number of participants has increased from 10 to more than 80, according to Lin.

"Our salon holds events once a month in bars, restaurants and sometimes peoples' houses, depending on the activity," Lin added.

Xiaoguo, one of the members of the Beijing Ukulele Music Salon, said: "Playing the ukulele by yourself is quite lonely, but having those friends with me through all these years really gave me a sense of belonging."

Yu Shao, the salon organizer and also the owner of the Circle Ukulele Shop, a musical instrument outlet in the Beijing 798 art district, is a long-time partner of Lin Hongbo.

"In China, many people regard the ukulele as a fast-moving consumer good, which indeed accounts for a considerable proportion of sales," he said.

"We also sell a mass-produced ukulele here in Circle as well. Located near a hot tourist attraction like the 798 art district, Circle's main target group is tourists who want a ukulele at an affordable price and use it as part of their home decoration."

The Circle Ukulele sells ukuleles, whose prices range from 100 yuan ($14) to more than 10,000 yuan. The profit margin is rather moderate and Circle Ukulele Shop has maintained a "flat income" for three years, Yu said.

"We sell about 30 to 50 ukuleles a month. Many guitar shops near the Xinjiekou area in northwestern Beijing sell ukuleles together with guitars, but Circle specializes in ukuleles," Yu said.

He majored in music while in college, where he played guitar for many years.

Yu said: "Currently, we have a ukulele training course at Circle, including training for kids and the family, to increase the total revenue."

"I didn't open this shop to make money at first, to be honest. I am just doing what I love and want to introduce the ukulele to more people. The ukulele represents a casual and simple living style. That is mainly because it originated from Hawaii, where people lead a pleasant and enjoyable life."