A beginners guide to the ukulele aimed specifically at new players or those thinking of taking up the uke. Many ukulele guides available are far too prescriptive and quite simply don't provide the answers to the common questions a beginner has. Whilst they concentrate on useful technique and provide sample songs to play, in my experience they leave the new player with a lot of questions unanswered. Barry Maz, ukulele player and author of the Got A Ukulele website has collated and expanded on his popular beginners guides to provide new players with a comprehensive resource of advice, tips and tricks for the ukulele. Not a tutor book, more an owners manual for the ukulele With 29 detailed sections dealing with everything from the shape and size of the instrument, to strings and even how to grow your fingernails, the book provides no-nonsense advice from a seasoned ukulele player, written in a friendly style. The book draws on Barry's own experiences in starting out with the ukulele, and the mistakes he made so you don't have to Also included is a handy reference section and ukulele glossary to help with those terms that may not be so familiar to the beginner. Barry advises that his book is best read in conjunction with other tuition methods or in advance of purchasing your first instrument, to bring a spot of welcome light relief to your practice and development with the uke. Happy strumming ** In the book review on Ukulelia.com, Gary said "While the book is indeed aimed at absolute beginners, it is in fact pretty comprehensive, covering all the issues likely to nip a the heels of someone starting out: everything from how to pick out your first uke to advice on humidifying your instrument and fingernail care. It is not an instructional guide; there are plenty of how-to-play books out there. It's more of a user's guide, filled with the kind of info you'd eventually pick up from hanging out with a bunch of veteran players for several months but which is all a mystery to someone starting out by themselves." ** ALSO AVAILABLE - MORE OF WHAT UKULELE PLAYERS REALLY WANT TO KNOW - more tips for beginners