Home music lessons with Ukulele music books provide the ideal solution. Offering songs suitable for every level, these books provide beginners with access to songs they may need for learning how to read music.
This book provides readers with an introduction to chords by showing them where to place their fingers on the strings, tab reading and singing/strumming techniques.
Songbooks with Chords
Ukulele songbooks with chords provide beginners with an effective way to quickly expand their repertoire quickly and effortlessly. While guitar songbooks often require multiple scales and fingering techniques to play songs from memory, ukulele music often only requires four simple chords in standard tuning – making these books great resources for beginning players who are just learning their instrument! Many books also include tablature for these basic chords so even novice players can start playing songs right from the beginning!
Some ukulele songbooks are tailored specifically towards teaching different musical genres such as rock, country or jazz; others focus on more general songs with lyrics so you can sing along while you play; additional books may offer strum patterns and chord charts to build your skills further.
Blues and other traditional forms of music can be challenging for novice musicians to learn, but with the right songbook you can be playing your favorite tunes quickly. Ralph Wood’s Blues for Ukulele provides an expert overview of basic ukulele blues theory as applied to common 12-bar progressions, chords, riffs and turnarounds – everything necessary for an efficient learning experience.
This small and portable ukulele songbook is an indispensable resource for any ukulele player. Packed full of chords for all the most popular songs and featuring an easy-to-use chord dictionary, you’ll quickly be able to locate what chords go with which songs with just a quick glance! Arrangement by key and listing of root note notes helps find exactly the chord you need quickly.
There is some musical theory included in the book, but this can easily be skipped over by those with prior musical experience. If that’s you, use the Editor view to extend your ukulele chord library by creating new chords – fingerings, base fret and muted strings can also be defined to create your custom chord library. When selected as an instrument in Settings view of app will display chords appropriate for either guitar or ukulele respectively.
Songbooks with Lyrics
No matter your skill level or learning style, ukulele songbooks are invaluable tools for learning new songs and improving your playing. The best ones break popular songs into frets designed specifically for the uke, making it easy to follow along and learn songs quickly. Others provide lyrics or melody lines specific to the instrument itself – pick a book that best matches both your learning style and experience in reading music!
Ukulele songbooks may include chord charts and fingerings for every song in a book, which is especially helpful for beginners as a quick way to learn chord notes quickly. A ukulele chord chart for songs works similarly to its guitar counterpart in terms of reading it aloud; its form being more straightforward and simple than usual.
If you’re in search of an extensive chord dictionary for your uke, consider Tobe Richards’ Ukulele Chord Bible from Cabot Books’ Fretted Friends series (2007. This book lists over 1,000 chords with three positions for each one and basic music theory information that makes this an essential resource for those wanting to expand their song repertoire.
Phil Doleman’s Uke Ballads by Roy Sakuma Productions in 1998 offers another great beginner ukulele book: it contains 26 cover songs with 17 having accompanying arrangements which start off simple but become increasingly complex as you progress through this book.
Some ukulele songbooks even provide chord melody solos for those without strong singing voices, making ukulele playing even more enjoyable and memorable! Uke Chord Melody Solos by John King is an outstanding example of such a book.
Some ukulele music books specialize in specific genres, like blues or classical music. A blues songbook may be especially beneficial to newcomers to this style who need help learning the fundamentals. Such songbooks serve as guides to playing blues on the ukulele using chord progressions and turnarounds as part of its strategy.
Songbooks with Audio
No matter if you are an amateur singer, an aspiring vocalist, or simply want to learn some favorite songs with accompaniment on ukulele, there is an extensive range of songbooks featuring audio. Popular publishers like Hal Leonard, Alfred and Berklee Press provide extensive collections of ukulele sheet music songbooks with CDs or MP3 downloads that offer multiple ways for learning your favorite tunes.
The Hal Leonard Ukulele Method is an easy-to-use beginner’s guide for anyone learning the ukulele. Both the book and video teach beginners basic strum and sing-along techniques with basic songs and chords for all beginners, music reading techniques, tuning methods, history of the ukulele as well as history lessons through large text, notes and pictures; making this book ideal for ages 7 years old or up.
Taylor Swift 1989 for Ukulele book is one of the top selling ukulele songbooks with audio, featuring all tracks from her Grammy-winning album arranged for ukulele. Another top seller is Alfred The Who – Uke ‘An Play Easy TAB Songbook which showcases 14 hits from their legendary discography arranged specifically for ukulele.
Whoever prefers to focus on melodies and lyrics should check out the Pro Vocal Ukulele Songbook series, which comes equipped with CD demos and separate backing tracks for practice purposes. These songbooks can be used for singing karoake or audition preparation as well as practicing solo performances with friends or family members.
Songbooks with Duets
Books offer many of the same advantages as digital resources when it comes to learning the ukulele; they’re especially handy when camping or traveling without access to Internet; or when you just want a break from digital media for awhile. No matter what level you are at playing ukulele, there’s sure to be a songbook perfect for you.
The Ukulele Guide Open Mic Songbook features 27 vintage pieces unfamiliar to modern listeners and players of ukulele music alike, yet still popular today. While these songs might not fall within traditional playing styles for most uke players, that might just add another element of interest! In addition, its introduction pages contain easily understood musical theory making this the ideal starter songbook.
First 50 Songs You Should Play on Ukulele is another useful ukulele songbook designed for beginners. This guide offers melodies and chord diagrams of some of the most popular tunes as well as links to free audio tracks so that you can strum along. Designed specifically for acoustic uke playing without needing a capo, its chords offer complete freedom when strumming along.
Interested in musical theatre? For an experience that encapsulates both classic and contemporary shows alike, Broadway Duets for Ukulele provides the perfect solution. A collection of vocal pieces for two voices from Aida, Cabaret, Hairspray, The Producers Spamalot & Wicked are featured as part of this album.
This songbook stands out from others by including both music notation and tablature for the ukulele, making it an invaluable resource for learning how to read music as well as those interested in exploring notation systems that apply across instruments.
Fretted Friends’ Chord Dictionary from Hal Leonard (2008) is designed specifically for ukulele players and provides them with over 1,000 chords in all keys arranged alphabetically by key. Plus, its handy chart also lists three positions for each chord! This handy little book fits right into any uke case!
Ukulele music books offer something for all levels of ability and taste, from those just learning the instrument through to books that teach reading melodies with strumming patterns delayed until students can simultaneously sing and strum at the same time.
This method is ideal for readers of music. Chord stamps are presented sideways and there is a section on movable barre chords. Additionally, this book comes complete with DVD and online video lessons for further study.
Ukulele for All
Beginning Uke Book for ChildrenThis vibrant and colorful illustrated collection will have children strumming and strumming quickly! Starting with basic instructions for holding positions, tuning and basic chords before moving directly into kid-friendly folk songs and music games that keep children engaged – as well as coloring pages that reinforce what they have learned! Also included are melody and lyrics for each song: country Americana bluegrass pop Stephen Foster British and Celtic Cowboy and more!
This ukulele method book features easy-to-read music notation and tablature (also known as TAB) for the ukulele, making it suitable for learners regardless of prior musical experience. Furthermore, this book comes equipped with a DVD of video lessons and practice tracks designed to supplement learning at home or with homeschoolers. Alfred’s Kid’s Ukulele Course can serve as the perfect companion, making this an invaluable asset in homeschool environments.
This book includes many enjoyable songs to learn, such as Starlight, Starbright, If You’re Happy and You Know It as well as practice charts to keep on track, helpful chord stickers for easy chord recognition and online audio to accompany author Emily Arrow’s songs – making this an essential starter uke book for novice uke players of any age! This starter uke book provides beginners with everything they need to start learning the uke!
This book features 21 easy hits arranged in various styles to meet the needs of any ukulele player, making it the ideal starting point or addition to an expanding repertoire. Classic songs from Van Morrison such as Brown Eyed Girl and Fernando from ABBA to contemporary pop hits like Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran and Stay With Me by Sam Smith will all prove entertaining choices! This selection is sure to delight any budding ukulele player!
This book is written for linear (low-G) tuning but can easily be converted to reentrant (high-G). Furthermore, this songbook stands out by featuring chord melody solos – making it ideal for those without great singing voices but wanting to accompany vocal melodies.
Ukulele Basics
Music notation may seem incomprehensible to novice musicians at first, with strange symbols that seem meaningless until you learn how to read musical notation and utilize its resources to play any song imaginable. Once this occurs, however, those strange symbols become rich sources of musical information and enable you to play any song you desire with ease.
Ukulele music books typically present musical information in two ways: standard notation that any trained musician can understand and tablature and chord frames that are specific to ukuleles and tunings. Both types of notation should be read together, with standard staves providing rhythmic information while tablature providing fretting-hand finger placement guidance. Standard notation indicates fingerings with small numbers (p for thumb, i for index finger and m for middle finger); tablature shows them by letter (p = left thumb, i = right thumb, etc) so you should play both forms simultaneously!
To master music reading, it’s advisable to start with an introductory music theory course, such as that offered at Piano for All by Robin Hall. This will teach you the treble and bass clefs as well as how notes are articulated using slurs and ties; key signatures and the musical scale will all come in handy while playing ukulele!
Mel Bay’s Ukulele Chords for Beginners provides another guide that can assist with reading and understanding musical information presented in standard notation. Intended specifically for beginning players, this book includes pictures and diagrams showing chords for every key as well as descriptions of major, minor, seventh diminished and augmented chords.
This workbook teaching system for ukulele beginners provides an accessible, hands-on method of reinforcing each musical concept through practice and application. With clear pictures guiding users from first day exercises through CD backing track playing along, and quizzes, assignments, and ear training built into its comprehensive package – perfect for young students just beginning their ukulele journey!
Ukulele for Two
The Beatles are widely considered one of the greatest bands ever, and this collection of 25 songs provides an ideal opportunity to learn them on your ukulele. Offering tablature and notation arrangements of each track, The Beatles for Fingerstyle Ukulele can accommodate beginners as well as advanced players alike – plus this book comes complete with its own CD with recordings so that you can hear how each should sound!
The Ukulele Handbook contains everything you need to start playing the ukulele, from its history and how to select an instrument suitable to your needs, to chord charts and beginner-friendly songs; making this book an essential reference source.
Before Israel “IZ” Kmakawiwo’ole passed away, he created and recorded some of the most breathtaking ukulele music ever heard. Now you can learn his songs through this songbook that offers chord diagrams above each string, fingerpicking instructions, and lyrics for songs such as Over the Rainbow, Kuhio Bay, and Na Ka Pueo.
Absolute Beginners is a step-by-step, look-and-learn course that guides you from day one exercises all the way to playing along with a backing track! In just three steps, this book provides all of the information necessary for learning ukulele! Clear pictures replace lengthy explanations and an accompanying CD shows you how to practice your newly gained skills.
Master the Ukulele 1 takes your ukulele playing skills to the next level by providing chord progressions, strumming patterns, and an introduction to blues rhythm. It features songs in styles like IZ, Sublime, Bob Marley and more – helping you to further hone chords and skills while placing special emphasis on rhythmic aspects.
This systematic approach to developing music literacy on the ukulele will make an excellent addition to any classroom, whether as an adjunct to another course or standalone teaching tool. All songs have been carefully tailored for various levels of proficiency, with many songs linked back to material from Ukulele at School Book 1. Furthermore, its Teacher Manual features an exhaustive listing of all songs and materials presented within student books as well as helpful tips for classroom instruction.
Ukulele for One
There is now a series of ukulele music books for one that teach chord accompaniment and rhythm in addition to melody, designed for those wishing to learn in the “chord-melody” style seen in many popular songs. Each solo arrangement in this book has both melody and accompaniment played at once – music written both standard notation as well as tablature for those preferring other tuning than standard (g, c, e, a).
An enjoyable approach to learning ukulele. The authors have developed an effective system to inspire children and help them make rapid progress while having fun! Colorful graphics teach strum patterns and simple finger picking, with songs covering familiar classics as well as contemporary pop tunes. Lessons are carefully structured so children can develop their skills at their own pace.
This book is an ideal resource for students with basic knowledge of chords and melodies or have had prior ukulele lessons. This collection contains songs organized so the melody can be played using open strings while accompaniment can be placed at first three frets; chord shapes are shown at the top of every page for easy reference. Songs range from Tin-Pan Alley classics to oldies and modern folk numbers; music written using standard notation makes reading it simpler for older students.
This introductory ukulele method by its authors emphasizes the importance of learning musical notation and reading skills that apply across instruments. A primary goal is learning how to read song notes, chord progressions, and how to improvise using basic riffs; plus there’s even an accompanying CD of songs to play along. Finally there’s even an assessment for this book!
This ukulele book serves as an ideal starting point for those interested in the sound of Renaissance guitar but unsure how to translate that music onto their ukulele. With 34 delightful Early Music melodies transcribed for gCEA tuning and the author’s generous introduction providing brief history, tips on period ornamentation and musicianship as well as resources for further research, this ukulele book can serve as an ideal introduction.