Customer Reviews

IZ: The Songbook Collection, Guitar / Ukulele Edition

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Yes I totally agree with the first review. The only downside to this book is that the chords are written for guitar rather than Ukulele. Well... kinda. There is a note to capo your guitar on the 5th fret to make the chords the same as a ukulele (and the same key as Iz played). But the chord diagrams are still labeled as the lower guitar pitch. So as I play, I see the fingering for a B flat (for ukulele), but it is labeled an F (Because, of course, when you play an F on guitar capoed on the 5th fret, it is a B flat). Guitar players will have no trouble at all, but for us uke strummers, its a little confusing. But don't let this stop you from buying it!
Still love the book! Would have rated it 4 1/2 stars if it were possible.
Another plus to the book is that all the Hawai'an lyrics are translated into English for all of us haole.

Dakine IZ songbook with fifteen of his hits from various albums. This book, the guitar/ukulele edition, is to the point, just the music, no introductions, although it does have several photos and a table of contents, listing which album each song is from. It assumes that the owner is familiar with Braddah IZ's work and expects a buyer also familiar with reading music. The finger placement charts are a little small, albeit the chord is also listed above the chart allowing the changes to be made with ease. I would have liked this song book to come with a cd of the music alone, that would have been ono kine. But as is, a good book with classic songs. Mahalo.

i got this book thinking it wasnt going to be too good from the reviews below but i got it anyway and i have to say it is awsome now i can play all of Israel's main songs (over the rainbow is my favorite and now i can play it!!!) i just have to say anyone who has any skill in playing the ukulele and wants to learn to play the famous Israel's music do it!!! its a great book

I agree with the majority of what is being said here with one exception, that concerning Guitar vs Ukulele chords being supplied. For those who may not realize it a couple of points:

1. The chord diagrams supplied are actually for the Baritone Ukulele. Look closer and notice that there are two strings in the diagram not used (The E and A strings which are the difference for the Baritone Ukulele.

2. Capo at fret 5 of a guitar or baritone ukulele results in the Standard "C" (G-C-E-A) tuning I believe.

In short, what you need for the most part is provided for you with a little insight from you.

If you never listened to IZ then you should. He was the best Hawawii had. This book contains alot of good songs. The problem is alot of them are written in Hawaian so dont expect to play and sing them if you dont listen to the music. It is a shame that the best Blues,Rock,PoP and yes Hawaian music always come after the passing of the singer. Give this a shot. Music is music for all and in Hawaii IZ was the best.

This book is really great for a Baritone Ukulele.. True, it is tuned differently than a suprano or Tenor But if you want to have fun with the Baritone Uku.. This is a great way to go.... I am enjoying mine very much... I recommend this for all Baritone Ukulele players... Rock

Great selection of songs, very easy to read. However, sometimes the tabs were only for guitars and not ukulele.

Iz is fantastic uke player, so the songs are really great. The only odd thing about this book is that, since Iz uses guitar tuning on his uke, the book is a little hard to follow using standard uke tuning.

The six-string chord diagrams are too small to read. They are playable with a Ukulele however; they are depicted with six strings and labeled with the corresponding guitar chord key names not the ukulele chord key names. This means you will be learning the wrong names for the chords with this book.

The lyrics are excellent. The music when played sounds right.

I would be happier if there were two books, one for guitar players and one for ukulele players. I am now back on the hunt for a IZ Song Collection written for Ukulele players. Overall I am not satisfied with this edition of the song book.

I am a huge fan of Iz. Lets get that out of the way and I am a guitar player and have set my sites to learn Uke. I bought this book under the assumption that it was a Uke book, After all it said it was on the cover and description. I was wrong. Sure, I can transpose, I am not musically illiterate but when I spend money for a Tab book of an artist, I expect that I am buying tabs that represent that artist not some interpretation of another artist on a different instrument. Sure wish I could get my money back for the simple reason I do not want the publisher of this book to have my cash. I'll shop around for a better book or simply use the internet. At least the tabs are close.