The definitive illustrated guide to the ukulele, from it's history to
how to play, including a fantastic songbook.
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.
