Inside this book, readers will learn how to make ukuleles, from the basic box-shaped instrument to more professional grade designs. Detailed plans, instructions, and demonstration photographs are included with tips and trivia to add personality and fun.
Strum a tune on your ukulele—no Hawaiian shirt required! Picture it now: the sun sets over the shimmering sea, and, as the beach bar falls quiet, you begin strumming Queen Liliuokalani's "Aloha 'Oe" to a mesmerized crowd. ... Okay, while this doesn't happen every day for ukulele-players, you'll still have a lot of fun learning your favorite tunes on your ukulele. Widely associated with Hawaiian music, the ukulele has exploded in popularity in recent years as kids and adults alike have started their music education with a uke or added it to their collection of instruments. Learning to play this versatile instrument is made easier for the experience and inexperienced alike with this new edition of Ukulele For Dummies. Following its straightforward instructions, you'll pick your way from the basics of purchasing your ukulele and accessories to confidently strumming through simple chord progressions and jamming through various styles and standards, including pop, folk, and those much-loved holiday favorites. Aloha, Santa Claus! Buy the right ukulele for you Perfect your pick and fret Practice with downloadable audio Get the best ukulele apps Whatever you want from your ukulele adventure—strumming on the beach or adding its island style to your distinctive new pop sound—Ukulele For Dummies will have you making a big splash with this tiny instrument in aloha no time at all!
Learn everything ukulele—from chord progressions to playing pop, folk, and holiday favorites—and, yes, even Hawaiian music! The ukulele is hot. The season one finale of Glee featured a ukulele. The recent hit song "Hey Soul Sister" by Train includes the dulcet tones of a uke. Not to mention the runaway success of the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. For anyone wishing to master this fun, surprisingly versatile instrument, Ukulele For Dummies covers all the basics—from chords and strumming patterns to guidance on finger-picking. The print version of the book includes a CD with audio tracks of the entire musical notation in the book—creating a total musical instruction package Offers instruction in a variety of styles—including pop, folk, holiday favorites, and Hawaiian music Features a buying guide for the novice—with tips on purchasing a ukulele plus other necessary accessories With its simple and clear instruction, and inspiration on every page, Ukulele For Dummies will have fans and first-time musicians making beautiful music—as they tiptoe through the tulips—in no time. Note: CD files are available to download after purchasing the e-Book version
The ukulele has gone from strength to strength in recent years, undergoing a massive resurgence. You can hear the uke all over the place, from trendster indie rock to top ten pop songs, from unshakeable TV ads to YouTube megahits. And this obsession shows no sign of abating - all over the country people are picking up a ukulele and starting to strum, at home, in classes and down at the pub. Schools are even replacing the faithful recorder with a jazzy, inexpensive uke. Famous idlers Gavin Pretor-Pinney and Tom Hodgkinson have spent hours idling away on their ukuleles to produce the ultimate uke handbook: an illustrated guide to its history crossed with a how-to guide and songbook. This is the book that will bring the underground movement into the mainstream.The first half of the book delves into the rich history of this eccentric little instrument, from its birth in Hawaii to its popularity across the world, with a timeline from 1879 to today and a ukulele hall of fame that includes George Formby, Hawaiian legend Israel Kamakawiwo'ole and YouTube ukulele superstar Jake Shimabukuro.Then on to the practicalities: the anatomy of the ukulele, which uke to buy, how to play it, how to strum, pick, read chord charts and tune the strings. Once you know all this, you can get playing the songbook, which includes a wide spread of songs from medieval lays and nursery rhymes to blues and rock 'n roll. Beautiful presentation and tab notation make reading the music easy, even for beginners.With the highest production values, a light touch and an irresistible instrument at centre stage, this book is a must-have for all aspiring Formbys.
Teenage El Wilson is facing one of the hardest chapters of her high school story. She has to focus on her schoolwork even when her heart rests on her first real crush, Conrad Ziegler. Find out how this awkward girl handles this obstacle. Will she keep her cool, or will she crack under pressure?
This book and accompanying audio offer a unique look into playing the music of Bach on the ukulele. Included are twenty duets for two ukuleles or ukulele and guitar. The first part in the duet can be played on either soprano, concert or tenor ukulele, and the second part on either baritone ukulele or guitar. This collection contains beautiful arrangements of many of Bach's most popular pieces. Some of the arrangements are simple, some complex, but most are of intermediate difficulty. The accompanying online audio contains breathtakingly beautifulperformances by ukulele maestro, Rob MacKillop, and historical guitar specialist, Gordon Ferries, making it wonderful in its own right. Included are pieces such as Sheep May Safely Graze, Minuet in G, Sleepers Awake, Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, and many other classic tunes
Take your ukulele playing to the next level - fast! - with hundreds of fun exercises, drills and practice tunes You have a ukulele, you know just enough to be dangerous, and now you're ready to do something with it. You're in luck: Ukulele Exercises For Dummies helps you become a better player. This practice-based book focuses on the skills that entry-level players often find challenging and provides tips, tricks and plenty of cool exercises that will have you creating music in no time that include: • Creating rock-steady strumming patterns and rhythms • Becoming a better fingerpicker with patterns, arpeggio exercises, and solo fingerpicking pieces • Expanding your fretboard knowledge and crafting your own rock, blues and jazz riffs and solos • Playing actual songs on the ukulele - everything from the classic ukulele tunes to the 12 bar blues! • Downloadable audio files of the exercises found in the book, providing you with a self-contained practice package No matter if you're a beginning ukulele player or you're wanting to stretch and improve your chops, Ukulele Exercises For Dummies puts you on your way to becoming a ukulele extraordinaire!
• Teaches absolute beginners how to play the ukulele. • Readers learn musicianship by playing through a graduated program of exercises and songs. • Shows how to hold the instrument, position the hands, strumming techniques, basic chords, and beyond. • No prior musical experience is assumed. • Includes practice CD with audio song tracks.
Affordable, versatile, portable, and popular once again, the ukulele is an ideal instrument for lifelong music making that can also be an engaging component of school music programs. At the elementary or secondary level, students can use the ukulele to explore everything from music theory, improvisation, composition, and ear training, to repertoire that includes contemporary popular music. At a lesser expense than any other instrument which can do as much, the ukulele is perfect for breathing fresh air into any music program. Uke Can Do It provides everything music educators need to develop a ukulele program in their school, including: * A guide for first-time ukulele buyers * Beginner instruction in how to play the ukulele * Playlists of ukulele music by top performers * Strategies for proposing and outfitting a ukulele program * Classroom management tips * Support for use with special learners * Learning sequences in ukulele technique * Ideas for classroom use and performance * Scales and chord charts with fingering