Certainly We Have Ukuleles!
Ukulele and songbook recommendations for musicians of all levels
Summer is here, the weather is warm, the beach is beckoning… If you've ever been tempted to pick up a ukulele, now's the time. This versatile and portable little instrument has been enjoying a surge in popularity ever since Israel "Iz" Kamakawiwoʻole strummed his iconic rendition of "Over the Rainbow" in the early nineties. Other artists and stars such as Jason Mraz, Zooey Deschanel, and Jake Shimabukuro have recently added fuel to the ukulele fire.
Whether you're a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player, and whether you want to play jazz, folk, pop, or rock, we've got uke-covered.
Beginners
If you're a beginner just looking to strum and sing, I recommend you start with a Makala soprano "dolphin" uke.
This cheerful instrument comes in fifteen different colors and features a dolphin-shaped bridge. The uke is sturdy enough for both young children and adult beginners and is inexpensively priced at under fifty dollars.
Are you looking for some fun and easy tunes to learn? Jumpin' Jim's song books give you melody lines, lyrics, and easy-to-read chord diagrams. His songbooks range from 60's hits to campfire favorites.
Intermediate Players
If you're an intermediate player ready to invest a little more time and money into your ukulele, Cordoba and Kala offer high-quality solid-top ukuleles for about 200 dollars.
Cordoba makes a lovely line of solid-top mahogany ukuleles that have a sweet, mellow sound. These ukes feature a satin finish, pearlized tuning buttons, and a lovely wood inlay around the sound hole. If you prefer a brighter tone, Kala's solid spruce top ukuleles offer a terrific sound at an economical price. Both brands have models in soprano, concert, or tenor sizes.
Are you ready to graduate beyond reading basic chords? Pick up an introductory tablature book and begin to fingerpick favorites like "Don't Stop Believin’," "Another Brick in the Wall," and "Paint It Black."
Advanced Players
Are you an advanced player looking for the best of the best? Come in and grab Kala's limited edition Marcy Marxer tenor ukulele.
This stunning uke has a solid spruce top, solid acacia back and sides, cutaway body, abalone fret-markers, and herringbone inlay decorating the sound hole and binding. It also has built in electronics so you are ready to gig!
If you want challenging repertoire, check out the tablature book Peace Love Ukulele written by the ukulele wiz, Jake Shimabukuro. The book features his well-known ukulele transcriptions of songs like "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and "Bohemian Rhapsody."
So whether you’re strumming your first chords on the dolphin uke or plugging in your electric ukulele to rock out at the local open-mic, stop by Middle C Music to check out our range of ukuleles and our dozens of chord and tablature books! If you're interested in taking your skill to the next level with some ukulele lessons, check out our teachers: Maureen, Mark, Alicia, and Nelson here. Or join us for one of our summer group classes for children, teens or adults!
Happy Uke-ing!
About the Author
Liz
Liz grew up in Willington, Connecticut and came to DC to pursue a degree in Musical Theater. She now works as a free lance costume designer and dresser for various theaters around the city. She also plays piano, flute, and ukulele. She makes things look pretty.
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Rebecca
Hailing from Pottstown, Pennsylvania, Rebecca joined the Middle C Music team in February 2012. She plays violin, piano, and ukulele and is currently studying Multimedia Journalism at American University. Watch out for her: it's always the quiet ones.