Jim BeloffJumpin' Jim's Ukulele Masters: Lyle Ritz Solos: 15 Chord Solos Arranged by the Ukulele Jazz Master

This book is definitely for the advanced intermediate player or higher. Nice songs, clear explanations and hearing them played on the CD helps a lot.The only thing that puzzled me was Ritz saying the soprano and concert ukes are tuned GCEA, but the TENOR in addition to the baritone, should be tuned DGBE. Most tenors nowadays are tuned the same as soprano and concerts. He provides notation for both tunings.The songs are simplified versions. You won't come away sounding like Ritz, but you will have a basic framework on which to build your jazz and swing uke skills.

This is definitely not for those who don't want to work. Well organized and good stuff!

After a summer of learning about half the songs in this book I feel like I've progressed so much in my playing. I've been playing for about 4 years and feel that with this and the "Lyle Lite" book I've moved to a whole new level and ready for more!

Lyle is a great Ukulele player. He is fast and able to form difficult finger position chords. This will take time to master. For beginners, I would suggest the Ukulele Primer book which has a DVD video included. Then, you can move on to Lyle music. You might even want to study Bob's Ukulele Toolbox #1 and #2 before starting Lyle music. Lyle is an advanced Ukulele player. You will have to break down his music a little at a time. Also, you will have to slow down his music. He plays fast and changes chords quick. Many of the chords can be difficult to form. You will have to practice making these chord shapes over and over again. It may take years to master his style of playing.

I've been playing several of Jumpin' Jim's finger style ukulele books and enjoying them immensely. This book is simply single line melodies accompanied by chord diagrams. The melodies are incorporated into the chords. So, play the chords and you play the melody and accompaniment together. The problem is that all the chord shapes are different requiring you to change between obscure chords with every note in the melody. I don't like it. I'd rather play finger style tab.

I love the jazz style. The price can be a little less. The CD that comes with it is very helpful. I would be nice to have an instructional explanation

His arrangements are always consistently good, as is his selection of songs. One cautionary note before you buy, though - this is not a collection of chord melody arrangements. If you are up to the challenge, these arrangements can be a start to doing chord melody arrangements. He has suggested chords inserted into the music, and all the notes are there. It also includes tab.

Nice playing but hard to learn. No tab. Enjoy the CD but not the book.

Very advanced so keeping the book for when I am more experienced.

Much too complicated, to many chord changes and streches, probably geared towards very accomplished players.

購入してみました。素晴らしいコードワークですが、高度すぎてしばらく弾けそうにない高度な演奏です。中でもＣＤではテナーで演奏しているビリー・ジョエルのJust the way you are。自分でもプレーしたいが、あまりにはいポジションでソプラノのロングネックでは演奏難しすぎる。テナーだと、フレットは幅もあって何とかコピーできるんじゃないでしょうか。とにかく高度な演奏です。

ライル・リッツはハーブ・オータさんと競演しているウクレレの達人です。そのライル・リッツ氏のウクレレソロ解説本がでました。別途コード本もでていますが、こちらはソロ演奏用の曲全て良いです。ジャズから、ロック、ラテンとてんこもりです。実演CDつきですので、ウクレレソロを目指すウクレレファンにはお勧めです。

ちゃんと譜面を読めばいいのですが、コード譜に慣れていると、指版の図と譜面で判断しながら弾くのにちょっと難儀しますが、譜面はメロディだけですので、慣れて来たら、自分でコードを加えて弾くのには良いのかと思っています。