Customer Reviews

Jumpin Jim's Ukulele Masters : Lyle Ritz

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

 

 

Great book. This collection of jazz songs arranged by Ukulele Jazz Master Lyle Ritz contains the music for twenty five beautiful jazz songs as well as a cd. The disc features a bass line and both ukulele parts: tenor and standard tunings. With finger charts that are very user friendly, this collection adds a refined quality to any player's quiver of songs. As with Lyle Ritz's Solo collection in Jumpin' Jim's "Ukulele Masters" series this disc also provides wonderful pleasure listening to those not learning to play. A classy book with beautiful, elegant music, a fabulous glimpse of what the Ukulele is capable of. Mahalo.

I purchased this book about a month ago and have been enjoying it just about every day since. The arrangements & many complex chords are definitely not for beginners. I consider myself an intermediate player and the songs are very challenging but within reach with consistent practice. With this book I have started to learn how to approach chords in a number of ways. I'm glad I made the purchased, especially at Amazon's price.

A few things worth noting:
-These are all "standard romantic ballads". I kind of wish it included a few upbeat songs.
-25 songs in the book, but only 12 are on the CD. It would have been nice to include all of them on the CD.
-Chords are included for both standard GCEA and tenor/baritone DGBE tuning. However, I think the melodies are for DGBE tuning. I've only tried the melody for one song, "All The Things You Are" and there is one note too low for standard tuning.
-A chord solo arrangement for "Fly Me to the Moon" is included. It's a great arrangement and probably my favorite in the book.

Lyle Ritz is a national treasure. In this book, he guides your fingers to the lush jazz chords that make the unassuming little ukulele show just what a musical powerhouse it really can be. Although not for the very beginner, the chord voicings are definitely approachable for the intermediate player and will rocket your knowledge of the fingerboard forward in a big way. The CD is the perfect complement to the excellent tunes in this book. Highly recommended, especially for those who adore the great jazz standards.

Great songs, nice book, but difficult as the day is long.
Unfortunate that there were no progression lessons that the beginner to Jazz ukulele could feel like they had a chance. Been playing everyday for over two months, but the chord changes were way difficult. Education is about giving the individual a chance to get up to speed, good luck.

Great songs and chords, but hard to read the ones down on the fingerboard, for a beginner or even intermediate player. I am sticking with the beginner book of Lyle's until I get more familiar with moving up and down the frets. I had to number the frets myself for each time there was one which went below the fifth fret until my eyes , fingers, get used to reading them. Love the jazz chords though!