Famous Solos and Duets for the Ukulele presents ukulele music as you have never seen or heard it before. An anthology of pieces selected from the earliest known methods and collections published for the ukulele between 1909 and 1920, Famous Solos and Duets is newly engraved in both standard notation and tablature and contains extensive fingering and performance instructions.
Edited, arranged, and performed by ukulele virtuoso and historian John King, this collection makes the original, classic repertoire of this charming little instrument available to the public for the first time in nearly a century. The Preface, informative and thoroughly researched, places the ukulele and its music in historical context, from its early days in Hawai'i, to its widespread popularity on the Mainland. Showcasing pieces which are both challenging and beautiful, Early Solos and Duets features the music of Queen Lili'uokalani, King Kalakaua, Ernest Ka'ai, Henry Kailimai, George Awai, George Kia Nahaolelua, N. B. Bailey and Vadah Olcott Bickford. Also included in Early Solos and Duets are invaluable instructions for the different styles of strumming as played by the "Father of the ukulele," Ernest Ka'ai. The CD contains all 22 pieces expertly performed by Mr. King.
--------
John King has done an incredible job of collecting and arranging these traditional Hawaiian melodies, together with the accompanying CD this makes very enjoyable playing for any advanced beginner to intermediate, with some more advanced strumming pieces also.
Our personal favorites are the pieces by Ernest Ka’ai, the evocative sounds of Hawaii come sailing through. You will find it very hard to put your instrument down after learning a couple of these pieces.
The CD plays them through at a bouncy pace but if you are sat by a campfire or have your feet up they are versatile enough to play at a lazy pace which is one reason why the beginner may well enjoy using them as an introduction to experiment with timing and practicing where to place emphasis on different notes to change the mood from up-beat to more melancholic, the piece “Haele” would be a good place start.
There are four duets at the back of the book two for ukuleles and two for ukulele and guitar, which really makes this book stand out as it’s rare to find such nicely arranged duets notated; we really enjoyed playing “Timothy at the Husking Bee” playing it through faster and faster became a weekend sport for a while.
The book comes with tabs and musical notation and includes a fascinating and insightful introduction to the Hawaiian roots of the instrument. A wonderful collection which you certainly will certainly enjoy!
Song List:
Loke Lani
Haele Hone
A Ka Wai
Polka Mazurka
Ka Wehi
Funiculi-Funicola
Henem Ahi Wela
Spanish Fandango
The Blue Bells of Scotland
Leilani
Banjo Schottische
Lauia
Wailana
El recuerdo
Hawai'i Pono'i
Ei Nei
Aloha O'e
Serenade of the Ukuleles
Timothy at the Husking Bee
Aloha Quickstep
Petite Valse
|
