I just had to share this review that my book The Complete What Ukulele Players Really Want To Know has picked up.
It really warmed my heart and made my day! When I started blogging and writing my books the sole intention was to help beginners make a quick start - looks like it has done it's job for Glen.
Thank you!
By Glen Murley
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The best way to explain this book might be to first explain where I'm coming from with regards to the review. I've played guitar for nearly 30 years. I've dabbled with other instruments here and there. I love blues of all kinds...from Heavy Metal Scorpions, Iron Maiden, Metallica and Megadeth (I graduated in 1987...it's required!). To the classics of Pearl Jam, Floyd, Zep...to the blues of popular strains such as B.B. King, SRV, Clapton...to the jazz of Grant Green, Pat Martino, Jim Hall, and Ed Bickert...to lesser knowns such as Junior Watson ans Rick Holmstrom. Some Dylan and Ray Lamontagne too. So...that's my musical background in crib-notes form.
At this current day and age the ukulele has made an unprecedented resurgence in popularity. Or if you're around my age...it's first foray into the mainstream. The ukulele has permeated the pop culture and these little things are available in more places than guitars these days. One of the older gentleman I work with kept bringing his in. I played with it. I was hooked. I wanted to buy myself a uke. But dubious of all the current offerings, and knowing many companies like to just make something to sell...vs. make a quality instrument to play, I wanted to do my research before I purchased my first uke.
Not surprisingly, the sudden rush of popularity in ukuleles has produced a glut of mass produced instruments made to satisfy the casual purchaser. These should be avoided. In fact, like guitars, I'd say 50% of what's out there will be built for a quick sale and not for actual playability. with 40% more being made as genuine instruments. And 10% catering to the discerning collector or actual practicing musician. With costs for customs commonly in the thousands.
So with all this information you would think I was ready to buy. Well, all it did was give me more questions! lol
In a long quest for information I stumbled across this book (via the author's blog). I was skeptical that a relatively private publish book, for a 3.99 ebook price tag would have much to offer. I was so very happily wrong.
This book answered ALL of my questions. All those questions that anybody who already plays ukulele knows, and is bored to death answering are answered in candid and happy detail in this book. The author shares that he comes from a guitar background such as myself (and I suspect many, many others). He quickly dispels the myth that a ukulele is a cheap toy (unless you buy the cheap toy version), and in fact a serious instrument. The books explains what to look for and what to avoid in purchasing your first (few) ukes. I won't go into great detail of what the book covers, instead I'll say that it will answer your questions. Even the ones you would feel too basic to ask.
I will say the topics tend to be a little disjointed. I might have grouped the chapters differently. I found myself saying, "yeah, but what if?" and then the book would answer that question in a slightly non linear fashion in a later chapter. But this is a minor problem,
The book reads so easily you would think the author was writing an email to you. Very conversational. Very candid. His passion for the ukulele is transparent and genuine. And this actually enhances how fun and easy the book is to read.
So in conclusion, buy the book if you're new to the ukulele. All of the staples that apply to buying a guitar simply apply to ukuleles (construction, quality hardware and components, setup, etc.) The difference is the companies are all different than guitar. That's right, it's not dominated by Fender, Gibson, or PRS. The book does allude to who the Fenders, Gibsons, and PRSs of the ukulele world are though. Which is great as I was clueless when it came to ukues. I will say that as a guitar player, especially if you're at all good, the transition to ukulele is fairly seamless. What was nice about this book, even if you're familiar with guitar, is the differences betweem the two that you simply won't know unless you read it. Various constructions, different sizes and the pros and cons of each.
All of this for a lousy 3.99. The book would be worth it at 29.99. If you have not bought your first ukulele yet, or if you purchased a cheapie and are looking to upgrade to a real actual instrument, this book is going to save you a LOT of money and time.
Barry, I don't know you but kudos for such a brilliant book. My first uke was a really nice acacia Kala...and I spent some pennies on a nice Pono based strongly on the information in this book.
At this current day and age the ukulele has made an unprecedented resurgence in popularity. Or if you're around my age...it's first foray into the mainstream. The ukulele has permeated the pop culture and these little things are available in more places than guitars these days. One of the older gentleman I work with kept bringing his in. I played with it. I was hooked. I wanted to buy myself a uke. But dubious of all the current offerings, and knowing many companies like to just make something to sell...vs. make a quality instrument to play, I wanted to do my research before I purchased my first uke.
Not surprisingly, the sudden rush of popularity in ukuleles has produced a glut of mass produced instruments made to satisfy the casual purchaser. These should be avoided. In fact, like guitars, I'd say 50% of what's out there will be built for a quick sale and not for actual playability. with 40% more being made as genuine instruments. And 10% catering to the discerning collector or actual practicing musician. With costs for customs commonly in the thousands.
So with all this information you would think I was ready to buy. Well, all it did was give me more questions! lol
In a long quest for information I stumbled across this book (via the author's blog). I was skeptical that a relatively private publish book, for a 3.99 ebook price tag would have much to offer. I was so very happily wrong.
This book answered ALL of my questions. All those questions that anybody who already plays ukulele knows, and is bored to death answering are answered in candid and happy detail in this book. The author shares that he comes from a guitar background such as myself (and I suspect many, many others). He quickly dispels the myth that a ukulele is a cheap toy (unless you buy the cheap toy version), and in fact a serious instrument. The books explains what to look for and what to avoid in purchasing your first (few) ukes. I won't go into great detail of what the book covers, instead I'll say that it will answer your questions. Even the ones you would feel too basic to ask.
I will say the topics tend to be a little disjointed. I might have grouped the chapters differently. I found myself saying, "yeah, but what if?" and then the book would answer that question in a slightly non linear fashion in a later chapter. But this is a minor problem,
The book reads so easily you would think the author was writing an email to you. Very conversational. Very candid. His passion for the ukulele is transparent and genuine. And this actually enhances how fun and easy the book is to read.
So in conclusion, buy the book if you're new to the ukulele. All of the staples that apply to buying a guitar simply apply to ukuleles (construction, quality hardware and components, setup, etc.) The difference is the companies are all different than guitar. That's right, it's not dominated by Fender, Gibson, or PRS. The book does allude to who the Fenders, Gibsons, and PRSs of the ukulele world are though. Which is great as I was clueless when it came to ukues. I will say that as a guitar player, especially if you're at all good, the transition to ukulele is fairly seamless. What was nice about this book, even if you're familiar with guitar, is the differences betweem the two that you simply won't know unless you read it. Various constructions, different sizes and the pros and cons of each.
All of this for a lousy 3.99. The book would be worth it at 29.99. If you have not bought your first ukulele yet, or if you purchased a cheapie and are looking to upgrade to a real actual instrument, this book is going to save you a LOT of money and time.
Barry, I don't know you but kudos for such a brilliant book. My first uke was a really nice acacia Kala...and I spent some pennies on a nice Pono based strongly on the information in this book.
Hi Barry, it's Glen. I have read the book three times already! I also purchased your chord book on Amazon's Kindle store. Great book due to being able to zoom the pages. Frankly, it's the best of it's kind.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got the review. If it reads like it was written hastily, it's because it was. :) I just didn't want to forget to write the review. Couldn't believe so much great information could be found for such a humble price.
I have been playing a few weeks now. In fact, I had to force myself to pick up my telecaster after nearly two weeks.
I love the ukulele so much that I decided to go right for the top and get a K brand. ...I know what a K brand is because of your book. :) Your book was not only a great primer for ukulele...but it served as a wonderful stepping stone to more information. Because of yuur book I began an obsessive research of the K brands (and a few others) before purchasing my genuine handmade uke. After many hours of googling, forum research, and multiple reads of your book I settled on a KoAloha Tenor. Should be here in a couple weeks right from HI.
Talk about being bit hard and fast by the uke bug. lol
Thanks again for all your work in those books. I have read 100 books about guitars from building (I have built a couple), to maintenance, to company histories (Fender, Gibson, Rickenbacker, Martin, etc.) so I can truly appreciate a well written, informative, and honest book. The majority of books out like this are either too sterile, too biased, or not injected with enough personal opinion. Your book really should be required reading. I found it to be FAR more informative than the Uke for Dummies book...wich is nearly a 5 star rating on Amazon.
Hi Barry, it's Glen. I have read the book three times already! I also purchased your chord book on Amazon's Kindle store. Great book due to being able to zoom the pages. Frankly, it's the best of it's kind.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got the review. If it reads like it was written hastily, it's because it was. :) I just didn't want to forget to write the review. Couldn't believe so much great information could be found for such a humble price.
I have been playing a few weeks now. In fact, I had to force myself to pick up my telecaster after nearly two weeks.
I love the ukulele so much that I decided to go right for the top and get a K brand. ...I know what a K brand is because of your book. :) Your book was not only a great primer for ukulele...but it served as a wonderful stepping stone to more information. Because of yuur book I began an obsessive research of the K brands (and a few others) before purchasing my genuine handmade uke. After many hours of googling, forum research, and multiple reads of your book I settled on a KoAloha Tenor. Should be here in a couple weeks right from HI.
Talk about being bit hard and fast by the uke bug. lol
Thanks again for all your work in those books. I have read 100 books about guitars from building (I have built a couple), to maintenance, to company histories (Fender, Gibson, Rickenbacker, Martin, etc.) so I can truly appreciate a well written, informative, and honest book. The majority of books out like this are either too sterile, too biased, or not injected with enough personal opinion. Your book really should be required reading. I found it to be FAR more informative than the Uke for Dummies book...wich is nearly a 5 star rating on Amazon.
Wow, thanks Glen! It really is very much appreciated.
ReplyDelete