In recent years the Ukulele has gone from strength to strength undergoing a massive resurgence. From trendster indie rock to top ten pop songs from unshakeable TV ads to YouTube mega-hits you can hear the Uke all over the place. This growing obsession shows no sign of abating - all over the country people are picking up a Ukulele and starting to strum at home in classes and down at the pub.Schools are even replacing the faithful recorder with a jazzy inexpensive Uke. Famous idlers Gavin Pretor-Pinney and Tom Hodgkinson have spent hours idling away on their Ukuleles to produce the ultimate Ukulele Handbook featuring an illustrated guide to itshistory crossed with a how-to guide and songbook. This is the book that will bring the underground movement into the mainstream.The first half of the book delves into the rich history of this eccentric little instrument from its birth in Hawaii to its popularity across the world with a timeline from 1879 to today and a Ukulele hall of fame that includes George Formby Hawaiian legend Israel Kamakawiwo'ole and YouTube Ukulele superstar Jake Shimabukuro.Then on to the practicalities: the anatomy of the Ukulele which Uke to buy how to play it how to strum pick read chord charts and tune the strings. Once you know all this you can get playing the songbook which includes a wide spread of songs from medieval lays and nursery rhymes to blues and rock 'n roll. Beautiful presentation and tab notation make reading the music easy even for beginners.With the highest production values a light touch and an irresistible instrument at centre stage this book is a must-have for all aspiring Formbys.
