• Get familiar with chords and strumming patterns
• Select, maintain, and tune your ukulele
• Explore musical styles like jazz, blues, and Hawaiian

Say a happy aloha to this popular instrument!

The ukulele is a fun, versatile, and popular instrument. It's an ideal starting place for inexperienced musicians who want to play some tunes. This friendly, straightforward guide gets you started on the path to confidently jamming in various styles. Written by the teacher behind the top ukulele web site in the world, this book covers choosing and caring for a uke, playing your first chords, and learning some songs that sound great on the ukulele.

Inside...

• Understand ukulele features and terms
• Get your uke in tune
• Strum in patterned rhythms
• Play chords and melody
• Perform solo with confidence
• Maintain your instrument
• Discover ten top ukulele masters

Strum a tune on your ukulele—no Hawaiian shirt required!

Picture it now: the sun sets over the shimmering sea, and, as the beach bar falls quiet, you begin strumming Queen Liliuokalani's "Aloha 'Oe" to a mesmerized crowd. ... Okay, while this doesn't happen every day for ukulele-players, you'll still have a lot of fun learning your favorite tunes on your ukulele. Widely associated with Hawaiian music, the ukulele has exploded in popularity in recent years as kids and adults alike have started their music education with a uke or added it to their collection of instruments.

Learning to play this versatile instrument is made easier for the experience and inexperienced alike with this new edition of Ukulele For Dummies. Following its straightforward instructions, you'll pick your way from the basics of purchasing your ukulele and accessories to confidently strumming through simple chord progressions and jamming through various styles and standards, including pop, folk, and those much-loved holiday favorites. Aloha, Santa Claus!

• Buy the right ukulele for you
• Perfect your pick and fret
• Practice with downloadable audio
• Get the best ukulele apps

Whatever you want from your ukulele adventure—strumming on the beach or adding its island style to your distinctive new pop sound—Ukulele For Dummies will have you making a big splash with this tiny instrument in aloha no time at all!