Mel Bay Ukulele Method (Paperback)

~ Roy Smeck (Author) "The Ukulele Tuner way is the easiest way to tune..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A D-tuning method written by one of the greatest uke soloists of all time. This fine beginner's text teaches chords, melody playing, rhythm accompaniment, strumming strokes and techniques, and moveable chord forms. The songs appear as melodies in notation with lyrics and diagrams for both rhythm chords and melody/chord playing. Also included are chord exercises by key, a section on introductions and endings, and a section of chord diagrams in three positions.

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Mel Bay Publications, Inc. (May 1, 1978)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0871664836
• ISBN-13: 978-0871664839
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 8.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #150,863 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Only Uke Book You Need, October 20, 2003

By	David Morris (Tallahassee, FL) - See all my reviews

I really like the way this book is arranged; it's easy to read and easy to reference. The highlights are the song intros and endings for each key, written by the Wizard of the Strings himself, the great Roy Smeck. Plenty of basic stuff for the beginner and a few challenging little things for the intermediate player.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Spartan material for adults, September 24, 2005

By	kwb - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

Spartan is the word for this book. More diagrams than words. Recommended for serious adults. Your kids may find this a bit difficult to follow.

The first part of this book is about basic techniques and 8 songs. The techniques are described in a simple, precise manner. Songs come with simple chord diagrams (e.g. for singing-along) above the score, while more sophisticated chordal solo diagrams are presented below the score. No words from the author on each of the songs, apart from this: "Practice these diagrams just as given and you will find that you shall indeed be playing the melody of the song in a chordal structure right on the uke."

The second part is about chord, chord, chord. First you practice popular chord changes in every key. Then there comes some interesting "opening and ending" patterns, which is quite useful. And finally the chord fingerings for standard chords in every imaginable inversion within an extent of uke fingerboard.

All of these in only 48 pages. I've never seen such a condensed material for uke.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lots in a small space, just like the Uke, January 5, 2005

By	Kim Pozar "w0lfwoman" (PACIFIC GROVE, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book has more packed into its pages than other books 3 times as long. It accomplishes this by using diagrams and charts to teach the basics of ukulele playing. Even thoughI am a word oriented person, I was able to browse through the first pages of the book to learn about tuning, strumming, note location, and picking. The songs show both the finger picking and the chords for each, depending on you preference.

The songs are the old and well known, Little Brown Jug, Bicycle Built for two, etc., but it does have Aloha Oe.

Great beginners book!