How To Play Ukulele: A Complete Guide for Absolute Beginners Kindle Edition

I've wanted to play a musical instrument my whole life, but being dyslexic I found learning one impossible and reading music even impossibler. My elementary school tried to teach me the glockenspiel, my patents hired a piano tutor for me, my cousins are all music teachers and they tried to teach me the ukelele (almost 10 years ago). Nothing took, not even a little. Hopeless.Now I know this book is geared towards younger readers, but I figured that as a remedial adult I might as well start simple. I'm so glad I got this book!I received this book and a ukelele in the mail today, and this night I'm strumming twinkle twinkle little star and Yankee doodle dandy and out in the fields. Which doesn't sound like much, but it's just the first day! And what's more I'm reading it off in musical notation and translating it into the correct chords on the instrument! I never thought I'd be able to learn musical notation.This book breaks everything down into super simple steps and gives you easy exercises for each step. Perhaps most importantly it explains things really clearly, both in the text as well as with many helpful illustrations on each page.True true, a 10 year old could probably use this book. But it's clear and has a lot of info, and most importantly it works. But it's really for absolute beginners, so if you already have an idea how to play chords on the ukelele you'll probably want something more advanced.I'm so happy I'm tearing up. A hundred stars!

Beginning the ukulele should start with the fun stuff, sure learn how to tune it, how to hold and strum and then get into a few easy chorded songs to enjoy the sounds you can produce with this fun instrument. This book instead offers page after page of music theory, individual notes, tablature, etc. I agree with the reviewer who said Mr. Parker was firstly a guitarist, not a ukulele player. Beginners need to get into their playing without going to a music rudiments class, that may come later or never. It's a uke, have fun with it and ditch the music class for awhile you'll likely get around to it. I cancelled my order of this book, still have the Kindle version, and have instead ordered Ukulele Primer with DVD by Bert Casey. I think my grandson will like Casey's book.

I have purchased 4 other books on how to play the ukulele and read music. This books is the ONLY one that explains things in laymen terms and the one I refer back to when I look at the other books. It doesn't dummy down it just assumes that you don't know anything about notes and chords and reading music but teaches you how to play without going into confusing explanations! It has basic songs that you know so you can learn how things should sound. I'm 57 and feel like a dork learning but am actually making progress thanks to leaning back on this book!

Unlike a popular review here, I actually like the idea of learning musical notation right from the beginning. I wanted to learn to play the ukulele AND learn to read music, and this book has been great and easy so far for both.

I am a beginner for ukulele, but have played instruments in the past. I can read music, but needed a review (it's been 20 years!). This book is wonderful for how they break down how to play uke, from the terms to the chords and everything in between. They tell you how to read music and break that down too. It progresses well for your skills as well. I think it is a great book to,buy when you are starting out.

My husband has been using this often since he got his Ukulele. It has taught him the basics very well and he has "twinkle little star" down pat. For someone that is wanting to learn how to play a ukulele, this book breaks it down and teaches the beginnings of playing and eases you into the more complicated stuff.

My granddaughter received this book with her ukulele on new year's day and within an hour was strumming 3 chords. She loves it.Its the perfect book for a beginner, even if they have not had any basic music lessons or classes.

I liked learning how to read music and apply it to the ukulele. There are many books about learning how to play specific songs on the ukulele, but not as many that help you learn how to actually read music, which allows you to play far more songs.

as a complete beginner and novice the first Ben Parker book I bought was his" ist ukulele book for kids" which as its name suggests is very basic but ideal for a banana fingered tin eared novice like me this book moves on from that so its an ideal follow up and takes you further into the joys of the ukulele recommended even if you havnt got banana fingers and tin ears

I brought this book as I am a absolute beginner in playing the ukulele and to music well I don't understand this book at all I learnt the cords and how to play on YouTube and else were if you can read music this is for you avoid this book if you are a absolute beginner like me

This TINY little book is simply not worth the money ,it has very very basic content and is only 45 pages all written in massive print so not much content, it would be okay for kids if it was priced at 2 or 3 pound but 8 is a total rip off for such a simple book.

Bought the book... Still can't play. Ben Parker has a lot to answer for

If you are an absolute beginner do not buy this book. You will not be able to play the tunes. In the song section there is no indication of strumming frequency. I know as you progress you pick up your own patterns and frequencies but as an absolute beginner I have no idea how many strums to do for each cord!! This is further hindered as there are no words to the songs. Without words it is near impossible for a beginner to understand when to change cords!! Especially if you are unfamiliar with the song. I have watched youtube videos and I have been able to follow their instructions to play a tune but cannot follow this book!!