Alfred's Basic Ukulele Method 1: The Most Popular Method for Learning How to Play, Book & Online Audio (Alfred's Basic Ukulele Library) Paperback – August 1, 2016

The music store where I take guitar lessons recently introduced the economy line of Lanikai ukuleles. About three months ago, I bought one and began taking it to my guitar lesson from time to time for a change of pace. Since the Lanikai LU-21C Concert Ukulele I bought is compact and small enough to fit in an commuter airline overhead compartment, it makes a very suitable practice companion for extended overseas trips. I began looking around for ukulele tutorials and songbooks and was shocked to discover the emptiness of the field. Whereas there are thousands of titles for first-time guitar players, there are barely a couple dozen for first time ukulele players. Most tutorial writers come into the ukulele after learning guitar and as a result, they assume a first time player will pick up the skills and techniques for playing ukulele as easily as they did. Although there are a few decent guides that are available only in Hawaii, first-time ukulele books are hard to find in bookstores, music stores, and even at Amazon.com.I bought this particular package because it contained both a CD and a DVD. I was pleased to discover that all three items are clear, well-presented, and easy to use. There is no better resource for a new player that I have found anywhere, except perhaps the Hal Leonard books. Still, that means there are only two textbook series for new players that are worth buying, and currently the Hal Leonard books are not available with both a DVD and a CD.For a new player, Alfred's Basic Ukulele Method: The Most Popular Method for Learning How to Play (Book, CD & DVD) is the best value on the market that I know of, including those books available only in Hawaii.

I've learned to read music and i'm learning songs to play. This is a great book for beginners

This is a book for absolute beginners starting from scratch. It teaches notation and tablature, starting the student off with melodic picking and then eventually moving into chords and strumming. With the exception of "Over the Rainbow" at the end of the book, the student learns through folk songs that are the staple of most of these kinds of methods.The production value on the DVD is top-notch and will be a great addition for those that need to see a technique performed as well as offering a pleasant personality to play along with and motivate your practice.As one reviewer noted, practicing for 45-minutes a day will get you through this book in about a month. I do not see that as a negative, the same could be said of most method books and the cost is negligable with a book/cd/dvd all for the price of one movie.Cons: I did find one typo (not a big deal). If there is something this is missing, I would say more strumming patterns to practice, which I find make singing and playing together a little more interesting, would be nice.Where this method excels: One of the better introductions to melodic picking and tablature that I've seen among the methods. If you're interested in doing instrumentals on the uke, this is a good place to get a foundation.

I feel that this book has helped me much better than Hal Leonard's Basic Ukulele book. Alfred's book starts out explaining everything for the total beginner. With the Hal Leonard book, they use chords that are very difficult for the beginner, for example: Bb. There is no explanation of tabs either. In the Alfred book, I can even play the tabs. They explain it thoroughly.This book comes with a DVD and a CD which have really added to my understanding and ability to play songs right away. I love the exercises in this book. They have helped me to learn to change chords and to also pay attention to the timing of the song. I highly recommend this for the total beginner. I never played a Ukulele before.

This is a very good book for learning ukulele. More important, this book has most of the music written in ukulele tab notation making it easy for a beginner to learn how to play.

When I started ukulele I tried many beginners books. This one was by far the clearest explaining each step clearly. Also, each piece has a clear lead in. I have bought a copy for quite a few people I know who are starting and they also have found it a useful book to begin playing with.

great for beginners

First off I'd like to say this is a great book for those who are just starting to play an instrument for the first time. It works very well, is well structured, easy to follow, and is a good over-all guide. However if you're actually focusing on playing the ukulele and practice even just 45 minutes a day, you'll be a master off this book in a month if not sooner. If bundled with the second version it would be a much better deal, however as is I'd have to just give a quick word of caution. If you want to play the ukulele this WILL help you do that but you'll need more practice songs very soon.