Ukulele for the Complete Ignoramus (Book & CD set)

I have several uke books and like this one best. Not only is it more complete in general but it also has useful tips/strategies not found in other books. Strums are taught in a logical way that makes them easy to learn. The layout is easy on the eyes and I appreciate the spiral binding. I know the uke is supposed to be an ‘easy’ instrument to play but I did not want an overly superficial book that scratched the surface and gave me too few tools to ever become anything more than mediocre. This book is not burdensome in its detail but simply gives me enough to be able to play reasonably (the practice is up to me of course). However — and this is a big caveat — it teaches by using tablature or ‘tab’ — which is a way for someone to play who can’t read music. I already do read music (at least to some degree). While it is not a bad thing to be able to read tab (and it is fairly easy as it is basically a diagram of the strings), I think it would be QUITE a handicap not to read music at all. So, especially if you do not already read music, I strongly recommend that you at least buy an additional book that teaches this skill. It is not that hard to learn—not any harder than driving a car and probably easier unless you are trying to learn very complex songs (which I doubt is the sum of a beginner). The tab in this book also includes vertical lines for each note. Not all tab has these lines. I don’t like it really but I can still use the book. The written explanations in the book are easy for someone to follow even if they are complete beginners and some background is included on each song. So. I think it is definitely a worthwhile purchase assuming one either already reads music or is willing to use an additional book to learn (uke books that teach this certainly aren’t expensive), Reading tab can be helpful but if one is only going to use one book/system, I would instead recommend a book with standard musical notation (which indicates the rhythm/timing as well as the note/pitch) and can be used with many other instruments without learning a new system). As this is not my only book and I already read music (standard notation) I find this very helpful and also friendly/enjoyable.

Perfect for the beginner and easy to follow

By far the best introductory Ukulele Songbook I have purchased. It is the whole package! First, it has a very wide variety of songs, each song is has a brief history and context, has a tablature, and all verses. The only thing I wish that it had the music sheet as well. But you can't have it all I guess.In addition, the book has MP3 recording for every song, it has cord practice and other training materials.I recommend the spiral bound version! It folds flat and neatly unlike basically every other traditionally bound material.I take it with me on trips and it is the best investment (basically the only book that I did not regret purchasing)EDITED 1 year later: I have since purchased many other songbooks, took online courses, studied various resources. This book keeps on giving! It is still my favorite book by far, and now being more advanced I can still find a lot of value in it. I am revisiting the book all the time, integrate newer skills into the songs, mark up my pages with various finger picking and other flourishes. Then tragedy struck, the cat peed on the book. Oh no. Fear not I bought a new version, and painstakingly copied over my notes to the new book! This is how good this book is. Best ukulele book ever!

I'm a newbie to playing ukulele. I play other musical instruments but this is my first stringed instrument. This is for the absolute beginner. It's fun and is even easy for someone with no musical knowledge. I have bought several books but this is the first one that I have actually been able play the tunes right off the bat because they only have a few easy chords. This book is full of songs I like and are appropriate for ukulele. The instructional part assumes you know nothing about playing and even adds some nuances I haven't seen in other books. This is the only book you’ll need to get started!

I bought myself a ukulele then I purchased this book because my son has the Ignoramus Banjo book and I was impressed with how basic yet thorough it is. However, I have a Baritone ukulele, and according to this book, the baritone requires a different instruction book from the other three types of ukulele. And unfortunately, there is no Ignoramous book for the Baritone Uke, so I am in the process of returning it. I like the book so well I contemplated going out and purchasing a tenor uke, but I probably should give this baritone a try. I do have the Hal Leonard Beginner Baritone manual and it's good, but the Ignoramus book is just more appealing. It is spiral bound, printed on a soft tannish colored paper that doesn't glare, and the songs are actually songs you've heard of (if you're old like me)! 😊Also, this book has a CD with it, whereas the Hal Leonard book has tunes to download, which is good. But...I don't like playing with my phone or pad well enough for that. If an Ignoramus book becomes available for a Baritone Uke, I will be purchasing, unless I'm already playing like Don Ho. Aloha!

I like this book, it has chords and tabs and there are audio files for every song that you can download and play along with. Each audio file has chord strumming first, then plucking of the notes, so you can practice both. I like the way they describe how to strum and even have audio tracks to help you practice The tabs are really good for beginners because they make it easy to start plucking songs, but I think it would be good if there were notes also so that you could begin to learn to read music. There is a variety of music, mostly children's songs, folk songs and gospel. I have the kindle version of this book and sometimes a song is split over two pages and I can't get them to show on the screen at the same time, this makes it difficult to play a song as you have to stop and touch the page arrow, this may be a Kindle issue, more than the fault of the publisher. Overall I think it is a good book.

all OK

i found this book to be very easy to use . a very good book for bebinners

Before I purchased this book I was a complete ignoramus about playing the ukelele.Now, after using the book, I’m not quite a complete ignoramus.So I guess the book works. 😁😁

Great item. Highly recommend it.

very basic