Ukulele for Dummies

by Wood, Alistair

• ISBN13: 9781119135975
• ISBN10: 1119135974
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2015-09-28
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

The fast and easy way to learn how to play the ukulele

With the help of Ukulele For Dummies, learning to play this popular string instrument at a basic level has never been easier. Now in a fully updated second edition, this hands-on, friendly guide provides everything you need to know to pick up a uke and get playing—fast. From purchasing a ukulele and the necessary accessories to making sense of simple chord progressions and playing in a variety of styles—including pop, folk, Hawaiian, and holiday favourites—the second edition of Ukulele For Dummies will have you creating beautiful music in no time.

For anyone wishing to learn to play this fun, surprisingly versatile instrument, Ukulele For Dummies covers all the basics, from chords and strumming patterns to guidance on finger picking—and everything in between. Plus, you'll find tips to make certain chord changes easier, chords and tabs for popular Christmas and New Year songs, apps for mobile devices, the ten best ukulele chords, and so much more.

• Audio tracks are available via online download at Dummies.com, creating a total musical instruction package
• Features a ukulele buying guide for the novice
• Offers instruction in a variety of musical styles
• Provides finger-picking instruction and the chords and patterns you need to know

With its simple and clear instruction, and inspiration on every page, the second edition of Ukulele For Dummies will have fans and first-time musicians making a big splash with this tiny instrument in no time.

Author Biography

Alistair Wood is a ukulele player, transcriber and arranger who owns the most popular ukulele site on the Internet, ukulelehunt.com. His expertise and the continuing ukulele boom has led to media hits that include The New York Times, The Guardian and BBC News.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Part I: Getting Started with the Ukulele 5

Chapter 1: Exploring the Ukulele 7

Chapter 2: Tuning Up to Sound Great 19

Chapter 3: Discovering How to Handle Your Ukulele 29

Part II: Starting Out with Chords and Strumming 39

Chapter 4: Playing Your First Ukulele Chords and Songs 41

Chapter 5: Drumming Up More Strumming Patterns 61

Chapter 6: Meeting the Chords and Their Families 81

Part III: Picking and Single]Note Playing 101

Chapter 7: Getting to Grips with Tabs and Notation 103

Chapter 8: Discovering Fingerpicking Patterns 119

Chapter 9: Combining Melodies and Chords When Playing Solo 133

Chapter 10: Picking Up Some Soloing Techniques 143

Part IV: Discovering Genres and Styles 159

Chapter 11: Rocking Out with Your Uke 161

Chapter 12: Playing the Blues to Lift Your Spirits 169

Chapter 13: Saying ‘Aloha’ to the Hawaiian Style 187

Chapter 14: Jazzing Up Your Uke Playing 195

Chapter 15: Strumming Up the Jawaiian Style 203

Chapter 16: Getting Classy: Classical Masterpieces for Ukulele 209

Chapter 17: Ukuleleing the Holidays 219

Part V: Buying and Looking After Your Ukulele 225

Chapter 18: Weighing Up Your Options When Buying a Ukulele 227

Chapter 19: Splashing Out on Essentials and Accessories 235

Chapter 20: Restringing, Maintaining, and Adjusting Your Uke 243

Part VI: The Part of Tens 253

Chapter 21: Ten Ukulele Players to Know 255

Chapter 22: Ten Ways to Get Involved in the Ukulele Scene 261

Chapter 23: Ten (or So) Tips for Improving Your Playing 267

Chapter 24: Ten Greatest Ukulele Chords 273

Part VII: Appendixes 281

Appendix A: Chord Charts 283

Appendix B: Reading Standard Musical Notation 287

Appendix C: Audio Tracks 293

Index 299