Reviews that give me a smile

13 Apr 2012

Reviews that give me a smile

It's been over a year now since my first ukulele beginners book went on sale. Always makes me smile to see a nice review on Amazon.




Here is a selection from that first book - and remember, if you read and liked the book, your own review would be enormously welcomed.




5.0 out of 5 stars Valuable Uke reference--GREAT Kindle editionDecember 26, 2011
First, thanks to the author Barry Maz for making this book available for the Kindle and at an attractive price. If you have a Kindle and a uke, you should have this book.

This is NOT a "how to play" method book. There are plenty of books for that, plus video tutorials available for free and for pay all over the Web. (check out Ukulele Underground.) This is a reference book on how ukuleles are made, the sizes they come in, the variations, the woods used to make them and other subjects, such as stringing.

The string section was in particular very helpful for me. The types of material (nylon, fluorocarbon) are discussed, how they affect the sound, and when you might want to employ them. For example, if your ukulele has a naturally bright (loud) sound, you may want to put on the Worth brand brown fluorocarbon strings which will mellow out the tone. If you have a ukulele and you are not fond of the sound, try restringing it first.

There is a section on electronics (pickups, mics) a section on training your fingertips to harden against blisters and pain and a section on common notation for ukulele transcriptions. There is much more. It really is "what you want to know."

I think this book is a must-have for any player.



5.0 out of 5 stars Exactly what I was looking for!October 13, 2011
By 
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: What Ukulele Players Really Want To Know (Kindle Edition)
This is a complete, thorough, and yet concise description of how ukuleles are made, the most common woods they are made from, and the history of the ukulele. There are tutorial chapters on basic techniques used for playing and maintaining the ukulele along with internet links for key ukulele websites. The writer discusses his own experience encountering the ukulele for the first time, buying his first ukulele, and learning from his mistakes. A few of the brands he refers to are no longer available, but by and large his desciptions of the nature of the different ukulele makers is clear, concise, and accurate. An excellent introduction to a thoroughly modern, largely misunderstood, and frequently underestimated musical instrument.

5.0 out of 5 stars A nice primer for the newbie!January 17, 2012
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This is not, I repeat NOT an instruction book on how to play your uke! But it IS a GREAT guide to how you should select your first uke, how to judge which types of equipment you will need the first time out instead of the usual trial and error approach taken by so many first time uke players. I literally read it in two hours of non stop reading, and came away much better prepared to start off my uke playing...and that is a great thing! Highly recommended to the first time uke player, the knowledge in it is priceless!

4.0 out of 5 stars Buy This Book Before You Buy Your First UkuleleJanuary 2, 2012
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: What Ukulele Players Really Want To Know (Kindle Edition)
This quick read is the book I wish I had read before buying my first ukulele. While not designed to teach you how to play the ukulele, it does tell you just about everything else you would want to know about the amazing uke.

Buy this book before you buy your first ukulele and you'll be better informed. If you've already bought an uke, then this book will help you familiarize yourself with your new favorite instrument.

And you can find all of my books here


As well as on iTunes, Smashwords, Tower, Kobo etc

MANY MANY THANKS TO YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Baz

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