A spine surgeon in Thousand Oaks, California, Dr. John Chiu performs minimally invasive surgeries at California Spine Institute Medical Center, Inc. When he is not treating patients, Dr. John Chiu enjoys a number of hobbies in his free time, including practicing martial arts and playing the ukulele.
A four-stringed instrument, the ukulele traces its origins to Europe and was introduced in Hawaii in 1879 by Joao Fernandez, a Portuguese immigrant. When Fernandez got off the boat, he started singing and strumming with a branguinha, a small instrument similar to the guitar. The Hawaiians took notice of his skill on the fretboard and named the instrument the ukulele, which means “jumping flea.” The ukulele has made a comeback in recent years, with the National Association of Music Merchants reporting a 54 percent rise in sales of the instrument in 2013. This surge may be due to a number of factors, such as its affordability and its use by popular musicians. Some cities have even begun to host ukulele festivals, including Reno, Nevada; Port Townsend, Washington; and Rockville, Maryland.
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John C. Chiu, MD, is the founding chairman of the American Academy of Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery and Medicine. A martial arts enthusiast away from work his obligations, John C. Chiu, MD, also enjoys playing the ukulele.
Developing good habits from the start can help you find success in learning to play the ukulele. Before beginning to play, it’s beneficial to always tune your instrument first. If you are trying to learn the chords to a new song when the ukulele isn’t in tune, you are more likely to get stuck. For best results, use an electronic tuner to tune each string. In addition to tuning your ukulele, using proper form is necessary. Poor posture can put unnecessary strain on your body. For the best posture, ensure you are sitting in an upright position with no arch in your back. An effective way to support your ukulele is by holding it right under your chest and using your forearm to keep it in place. The hand that you use to play the chords is the final support for the position of your ukulele. |
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