Favorite Old-Time American Songs for Ukulele

Favorite Old-Time American Songs for Ukulele

Author: Mark "Kailana" Nelson

Publisher: Mel Bay Publications

Published: 2016-07-19

Total Pages: 233

ISBN-13: 1619114291

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This book features over 100 traditional American folk songs newly arranged for the ukulele, with chord diagrams and melody lines in tablature and standard notation. This extensive collection makes "Favorite Old-Time American Songs for Ukulele" a treasury of the best songs from the American tradition. Nothing in this book is out of range for novice ukulele players. The songs are in keys that are both easy to sing and that fit the melodic range of the ukulele. Of course, not every voice sings comfortably in every key, so information on transposition and a short discussion for players of the baritone ukulele are included. Although you do not need to read music or tablature to use this book, short introductions to each are included. In putting together this collection, the author was inspired by the old American practice of making a sampler: an endearing needlework design showing off various stitches and techniques. The book presents a sampling of the best American songs for folks working in schools, churches, hospitals, coffeehouses and other public performance spaces, or for anyone wishing to expand their repertoire and brush up on a few old chestnuts. There's a little of everything here: sentimental old hearth songs, laments and lullabies, ballads and play-parties, the sacred and profane. The overwhelming majority of songs come from pre-industrial rural traditions, because this is the kind of music that seems to go well with homemade music-making in any age. Downloadable audio of 18 of the songs is available online.


The Complete Book of Old-Time Fiddle Tunes for Appalachian Dulcimer

The Complete Book of Old-Time Fiddle Tunes for Appalachian Dulcimer

Author: Mark Nelson

Publisher: Mel Bay Publications

Published: 2022-03-09

Total Pages: 88

ISBN-13: 1513459120

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With over 70 fiddle tunes arranged for Appalachian dulcimer, this book includes both common session tunes that everyone should know and a handful of obscure gems. The tunes include a representative collection of what people are playing in the current old-time music scene. The author has indicated the source of the tune when known, plus notes on achieving the proper feel and playing style. Although a few of the arrangements are real finger-twisters, most are well within the reach of the intermediate dulcimer player. Some tunes are written for old-time “noter” style playing, some are best fretted with your fingers. All of the arrangements include suggested chords for guitar or other instruments. One or two include lyrics; most do not. Old-time tunes tend to be played in fiddle-friendly keys like D, G, A (major and minor), and C. Although you can play in most of those keys out of DAD tuning, the music really comes alive when you re-tune and let those drones ring. Tunings include DAA, DAD, DGD, AAA and more. The author includes notes on how to re-tune your dulcimer, as well as alternative tunings for some of the tunes. The author says, “This book represents the fruits of over fifty years spent chasing down a good tune.” Includes access to online audio of all of the tunes played on solo dulcimer.


Ukulele Picking Tunes - Early Music Gems

Ukulele Picking Tunes - Early Music Gems

Author: Ondrej Sarek

Publisher: Mel Bay Publications

Published: 2022-10-07

Total Pages: 65

ISBN-13: 1513471171

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This book presents 34 delightful Early Music melodies arranged for solo ukulele in gCEA tuning. The styles range from early Renaissance to Baroque, including lively dance tunes and sacred compositions, known for their beauty and vitality. Originally composed for lute or vihuela and often transcribed for classical guitar, these timeless pieces are now part of the ukulele repertoire. Written in standard notation and tablature, primarily for the intermediate to advanced player, but also for the determined novice.


Favorite Classical Themes for Ukulele

Favorite Classical Themes for Ukulele

Author: David Coe

Publisher: Mel Bay Publications

Published: 2018-03-12

Total Pages: 37

ISBN-13: 1619117932

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This collection by David Coe contains 21 beautiful melodies by the world’s greatest composers. Included are songs by Bach, Beethoven, Mozart and many more. Each selection is presented in both standard notation and tablature with chord diagrams included. The ukulele has a distinctive melodic voice and musicians of all levels will enjoy playing these timeless classics.


Beautiful American Airs and Ballads for Solo Baritone Ukulele

Beautiful American Airs and Ballads for Solo Baritone Ukulele

Author: Ondrej Sarek

Publisher: Mel Bay Publications

Published: 2024-02-29

Total Pages: 57

ISBN-13: 1513477404

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This book presents 25 lyrical North American melodies scored for solo baritone ukulele in standard notation and tablature; occasional left-hand fingering suggestions are provided in these intermediate to advanced melody/chord settings. Selections include historical themes from the turbulent Civil War era, popular 19th century ballads, and modern pieces by William Bay. Along with the songs of several other known and unknown composers, any collection of American ballads would be incomplete without the timeless melodies penned by Stephen Foster; you will find Beautiful Dreamer, I Dream of Jeannie with the Light Brown Hair, Darling Nellie Gray, and Stephen Foster's timeless Civil War classic Hard Times, Come Again No More in this collection. As the baritone uke is tuned the same as the top four strings of the guitar, guitarists can enjoy playing these satisfying arrangements on a second instrument!


Fingerstyle Duets for Ukulele

Fingerstyle Duets for Ukulele

Author: Mark Kailana Nelson

Publisher: Mel Bay Publications

Published: 2014-10-09

Total Pages: 93

ISBN-13: 1619114682

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From the author of Mel Bay's best selling Learn to Play Fingerstyle Solos for Ukulele and Favorite Fingerstyle Solos for Ukulele, we are proud to presentFingerstyle Duets for Ukulele.This book and accompanying audio offer 21 great songs arranged in 18 duets for fingerstyle ukulele. The songs come from around the world: European waltzes, classic Hawaiian songs, folksongs, Victorian parlor pieces and classical guitar and piano transcriptions. Nothing in this book will be out of reach of the advancing beginner or intermediate player. Even advanced players will find something to tickle their fancy. The book includes tips on technique and fingerpicking exercises. Many of the songs include lyrics, adding to the flexibility of the arrangements. Included are four etudes - basic duets featuring scaled down melodic parts for the lead ukulele and simple pattern picking for the accompaniment. More advanced duets feature modulations, chord inversions up the neck, and different rhythmic approaches forthe right hand in both parts. The book concludes with an arrangement of Erik Satie's haunting solo piano piece Gymnopedie #1


Mastering Chord Inversion for Ukulele

Mastering Chord Inversion for Ukulele

Author: Mark Kailana Nelson

Publisher: Mel Bay Publications

Published: 2014-10-01

Total Pages: 61

ISBN-13: 1619114674

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With over 1,000 chord diagrams and 37 full-sized fingerboard charts, Mastering Ukulele Chord Inversions is the most comprehensive and useful ukulele chord book ever published. It includes all the chords you will need for fingerstyle and chord melody arrangements, complex styles like jazz and bossa nova, or simply for tickling your fingers and exercising your brain. This book can help you find any chord, but will also greatly enhance your understanding of how chords work, enabling you to become a better musician. Included are three full-sized fingerboard diagrams showing all of the practical chord intervals for major, dominant and minor chords in every key. These will help you visualize how intervals relate to each other. They will also help you play scales and arpeggios and find alternate fingerings for common chords. Rather than list all the chords of a given type in 12 keys on one page, chords are grouped together by how they are used in a particular key. If you are looking for a G7 chord, you'll find it alongside other dominant chords like G9, G7b9 and G7#5. Chords which serve similar musical roles are grouped together. Likewise, all the various flavors of major chords (6, 6/9, M7, add 2) and minor chords appear together in one convenient place. The chord diagrams have the familiar fretboard grid, with the lowest fret clearly marked. In addition, each note in the chord is labeled to aid you in your study. Each chord appears in several forms that move up the neck. The ukulele's re-entrant tuning requires either doubling or leaving out certain chord notes to accommodate the instrument's four strings. This means chord shapes are not inversions, strictly speaking, but the word is as good as any. Practicing inversions as they move up and down the neck is essential to mastering your ukulele. Alternate fingerings for chords at the lowest position of the neck have also been added.


John Dowland Lute Songs for Solo Ukulele

John Dowland Lute Songs for Solo Ukulele

Author: Tony Mizen

Publisher: Mel Bay Publications

Published: 2024-04-19

Total Pages: 65

ISBN-13: 151347751X

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John Dowland (1563 – 1626), a contemporary of both William Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth I, was recognized as one of the greatest musicians of his time, writing songs, ensemble music and solos for the lute. Early music has long been part of the classic guitar repertoire and more recently, it has been adopted with enthusiasm by ukulele players. This book presents sixteen of Dowland's most beautiful lute songs that can be performed by ukulele players, with or without a vocalist. Two versions of each song – one easier and another more advanced—are offered in both standard notation and tablature for soprano, concert, and tenor ukuleles in re-entrant (gCEA) tuning. Various vocal ensemble renditions of the songs, as well as the author’s video performances of each solo arrangement are available online. For vocalists and their audiences, and for all musicians and songwriters to fully connect with the emotion of the songs, Dowland’s sublime lyrics are also included.


Learn to Play Slack Key Style Ukule

Learn to Play Slack Key Style Ukule

Author: Mark Kailana Nelson

Publisher: Mel Bay Publications

Published: 2018-11-08

Total Pages: 89

ISBN-13: 1619118505

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Want to play beautiful Hawaiian melodies on your 'ukulele? Now you can! Learn to Play Slack Key Style 'Ukulele is a comprehensive instruction into the art of playing great solo 'ukulele…slack key style. Slack Key–Ho `alu–is a melodic, finger-picked guitar style created by Hawaiian paniolo in the mid-19th century, known as “Hawaiian soul music”. It is only natural that some 'ukulele players in Hawaii would re-tune their instruments and play slack key style. Nothing sounds so sweet. No matter if you are a dedicated beginner wanting to expand your playing or an advanced uke-a-banger looking for a new challenge, you will find music to delight your fingers and stimulate your ear. Learn to Play Slack Key Style 'Ukulele is both a course of study and a collection of great solo arrangements that start out easy and increase in difficulty. Includes access to online audio. • Tablature and standard notation • Notes on the tunings, reading music and reading TAB • Guided lessons help you develop your style • Graded arrangements from easy to advanced • Over 30 great arrangements • Learn how to create your own slack key style arrangements of classic Hawaiian songs • Playable on any ‘ukulele with a low G string • Downloadable musical examples of all songs