ISBN 9781610651455. Famous Solos and Duets for the Ukulele presents ukulele music as you have never seen or heard it before. An anthology of pieces selected from the earliest known methods and collections published for the ukulele between 1909 and 1920, Famous Solos and Duets is newly engraved in both standard notation and tablature and contains extensive fingering and performance instructions. Edited, arranged, and performed by ukulele virtuoso and historian John King, this collection makes the original, classic repertoire of this charming little instrument available to the public for the first time in nearly a century. The Preface, informative and thoroughly researched, places the ukulele and its music in historical context, from its early days in Hawai'i, to its widespread popularity on the Mainland. Showcasing pieces which are both challenging and beautiful, Early Solos and Duets features the music of Queen Lili'uokalani, King Kalakaua, Ernest Ka'ai, Henry Kailimai, George Awai, George Kia Nahaolelua, N. B. Bailey and Vadah Olcott Bickford. Also included in Early Solos and Duets are invaluable instructions for the different styles of strumming as played by the "Father of the ukulele," Ernest Ka'ai. The audio contains all 22 pieces expertly performed by Mr. King. Includes access to online audio.

ISBN 9781610652940. While the ukulele is enjoying a well-deserved renaissance on the mainland, in the land of its birth, it has never gone out of style. Hawaiians took to the "jumping flea" right from the start, creating music of stunning beauty and versatility. Now intermediate players can learn to play lovely finger style solo arrangements of classic Hawaiian songs, folk songs, standards - even a few pieces from the classical guitar repertoire.The book offers 27 arrangements from around the world written in standard notation and tablature playable on any ukulele. Songs are grouped according to level of difficulty, starting with simple arrangements well within the grasp of dedicated beginners and intermediate players and leading through more challenging songs featuring unusual chord voicings, inversions up the neck, tricky fingerings and "all the fun stuff" the author could muster. To aid the student, the companion audio download available online includes all of the songs taught. Includes chord charts, inversion studies, introductory material on finger-picking and making the transition from strumming to melodic playing. Includes access to online audio.

ISBN 9781610659659. The ukulele is an extraordinary instrument with a remarkable history. Apart from its well-practiced use as a strummed accompaniment instrument, it is capable of real beauty and the most delicate expression. It has as much depth as Renaissance and Baroque guitars and lutes, and is worthy of serious study by all those who have a heart for music.This set of 20 fingerstyle arrangements is written for the beginning student seeking something a little more challenging to play. These 20 progressive studies touch on all aspects of fingerstyle playing on the ukulele presenting different styles: blues, jazz, classical, and even minimalism and serialism. There are studies in arpeggios, scales, modes, ii-V-I chord sequences, strumming, syncopation, campanella fingerings, improvisation, hammer-ons, and pull-offs. Some of the studies concentrate on the left hand, some on the right hand, some on both. Possibly the most comprehensive set of studies currently available for the ukulele, mastery of which will equip one to explore any style of music desired. It is also a showcase for how well the ukulele can adapt to different styles of music. Includes access to online audio.