Learn Finger-Style Ukulele: with Music Theory

I was prepared to give this book 4 stars but then I noted some significant errors, which need to be corrected.Page 18 – He writes: “Playing from middle C to its octave (eight notes higher) you will notice that black keys are missing between note 3 & 4 and between notes 7 & 8. These gaps, known as intervals are called ‘half steps’.” Mizen obviously knows his music, but the construction of this sentence is highly misleading and confuses these terms, something you don’t want in a book aimed at beginners. A half step is the interval between any two adjacent keys on the keyboard, not just between E and F and B and C. And an interval is the distance between any two notes.Page 27 – He writes “The time signature indicates six quarter notes…” but the time signature shown in the piece is 4/4, so it’s four quarter notes.Page 31 – He writes: The difference between a D Major chord and a D minor chord for example, is merely that there is a bigger interval between the first and third note of D major (one and a half tones) than the first and third notes of D minor (a tone).” A tone is a full step, or two half steps. The D Major chord has 2 full tones or steps (not 1 ½) between the first and second note (D to F#); a D minor chord has 1 ½ tones or steps (not 1) between the first and 2nd note (D to F).Page 45 – he writes: “The Harmonic minor is the same as the natural minor with one altered note. This gives the scale a dramatic sound.” However, he never states what the altered note is (the 7th note is sharpened, so that A harmonic minor is A-B-C-D-E-F-G#-A). He does show the chords for the A harmonic minor scale, but in a book aimed at beginners, I would expect a clearer statement or illustration of the Harmonic minor scale, something other than just stating “one altered note.”There are also some typos:Page 35: 2ND P. “you’re” should be yourPage 39: Song title should be “Boys And Girls Come Out To Play” (Has “An” instead of “And”)Page 42: He has “re-spelt” twice, when it should be “re-spelled.” I though perhaps this might be a British spelling, but then in the last paragraph on this page he has “re-spelled.” Spelling should be consistent.This is a self-published book, and needs better proofreading. The good news is that it was published with CreateSpace, and so the errors can be easily and quickly fixed by uploading a new file, and then a correct version sent out. When that is done, it should get 4 stars.

I am now half way through the book , and have great help with fingering (1st position ), have expanded my usual range of where I place my left hand fingers to bands 5-7, and am trying to do some harmony work which is coming along steadily with the advice of this very capable teacher ! - Previously, I have played the piano and the recorder. I was attracted to this small instrument, and bought 1, 2 and 3 beginner's instruction books for the ukulele. Only Tony Mizen's book has brought me forward. Thank you ! ! I warmly recommend this book ! I. M. K.

Most of the books I've bought have not been that helpful. the most useful item I've bought for learning ukulele has been Bob Brozman's The Ukulele Toolbox DVD. It blows everything else that I've bought out of the water.

great for fingerstyle

For beginner Uke players this is a great book to have on the shelf as a reference.

good

I have tried various books on finger style for the uke. This is one of the best.Thanks,Leon

Excellent! This is my 3rd Tony Mizen book. All his books are clear and easy to follow. Thanks for a great book.

I’ve bought loads of books on the subject, some 4 times the price of this one, but this is really good cos it takes simple childhood songs and builds them up layer by layer into more complex compositions. You start with something really simple and then add a little more and a little more…. Don’t be discouraged by the simplicity of the songs that are being taught. Their simplicity allows for the learner to be able to easily play and then build complexity into their style. I got so much from this book! So much to learn from this and so well explained.

I’ve played Uke for several years, taken some lessons and am perhaps an intermediate player.This book was purchased in the lockdown of 2020 as an aid to improve my finger-style plating. I’ve found it an aid but a let down too, and hence the poor mark. Yes, I’ve picked up some additional knowledge using it but I’ve found the book hard to use and I’m not a beginner. The written music is too small in places for normal eyes to pick up text, silly really as there’s plenty of space to do the job right. The rate at which the book progresses is far too fast, I’ve covered a lot of the work before and it’s still like climbing a cliff face. Again silly because with a slower pace and more examples it would be such a more useful book.

Excellent book

A good introduction to ukulele finger-picking.

excellent book...very pleased