Self teaching materials

I have been playing uke (baritone) for a few years now and about 6 months ago decided I really wanted to take my playing to the next level. I wanted to learn how to read and write music, music theory, etc. I also just wanted to be a better player capable of more complicated pieces. I began music lessons with a man in my small town (guitar teacher). He was pretty much my only option here, but he didn't even know for sure what the uke was when he saw it, so I should have taken that as a sign! He is brilliant and skilled, but after 6 mo. I really do not feel I have learned or progressed much. He is so guitar focused and and difficult to understand in general. I am inclined to stop my very expensive lessons with him and strike out on my own. My question is, what is out there in the way of books, DVDs, etc. that I can use to learn on my own? I would rather spend money to get something that will really help me. Jim Beloff? Mitch Chang? Let me know!

You might try learning from these books and CD's. I don't think baritone tuning is supported though. Just C tuning and D tuning. I think this is the method that is used in Canadian schools.
http://www.ukuleleintheclassroom.com/
Here is another site you might like.
http://www.ukuleleyes.com/
If you want to learn baritone tuning DGBE, then you might look for a classical guitar teacher for learning to read musical notation. He or she would have to alter some of the lessons for you since you only have four strings.
–Lori

idk how much you want to learn and I don't know so much myself but I will say if you have a piano that that is the ultimate instrument to learn theory. Otherwise I do think the basicbooks by Lil Rev (Hal Leonard) will teach you the notes and that is not a bad starting point if you want to learn to read. Then you need to learn chord theory. Fretboard Roadmaps? Hey I don't know that much myself. My approach is more to learn chords and notes. BUT my son takes piano so I sorta know the rest of the story. Keep shopping teachers too if you can.

I have a couple of theory pages here that might be useful:
http://claudio-uke.blogspot.com/p/useful-music-tools.html
http://claudio-uke.blogspot.com/p/more-theory.html

My teacher teaches over Skype and can offer you just what you need. Here's his Youtube channel where you can message him:
http://www.youtube.com/user/colinrtribe

He's based in the UK but he has students as far as Taiwan. See what he plays on Youtube to get a good idea. He certainly knows what a uke is as well as a guitar and mandolin.

Matt Dahlberg (aka thejumpingflea) teaches lessons over Skype. He is an insanely good uke-ist and I'm sure would fit your needs well. You can check it out here:
http://www.thejumpingflea.net/The_Jumping_Flea/Ukulele_Lessons.html

If you want to learn some theory, the book

http://www.edly.com/mtfpp.html

is terrific. It is well written and an excellent resource, yet amusing and light hearted. (you rarely hear that about a theory book) It is very well laid out and easy to understand. You can easily learn as little or much as you wish.

EDW said:

If you want to learn some theory, the book

http://www.edly.com/mtfpp.html

is terrific. It is well written and an excellent resource, yet amusing and light hearted. (you rarely hear that about a theory book) It is very well laid out and easy to understand. You can easily learn as little or much as you wish.

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+1 for this book.

I've been using this and a cheap keyboard to study theory and it's been really useful. IF you do the exercises - you'll start to get it.

Thanks so much for all the advice! I'm going to check everything out. I am so excited!

Aloha SMhoney79,
Try this out....http://www.box.net/shared/g7h76cnf29
I hope it works, good luck!! Happy Strummings...MM Stan
Sorry it's in GCEA.....but gives you an idea....
Try and google Dr. Uke.....http://www.doctoruke.com/index.html

smhoney79 said:

Thanks so much for all the advice! I'm going to check everything out. I am so excited!

Click to expand...

Brilliant - loving the excitement.

I got three words for ya: UUU

http://ukuleleunderground.com/2011/...iversity-sign-up-for-spring-2011-uke-classes/