(Book). The Martin Ukulele is a detailed look at the ukuleles built by the C. F. Martin Co. of Nazareth, PA, and at how the instruments' success forever changed the company that made them. Martin's ukulele-making led the small, respected builder of fine guitars and mandolins into an era of unprecedented growth in the 1920s and helped it become one of the most legendary manufacturers of high-quality guitars in the world. Drawing heavily from the extensive archives at the Martin factory, the book examines the company and its development, from production records, sales ledgers, and a vast collection of correspondence to hundreds of photos, including many of the rarest ukuleles the company produced. Extensive additional imagery chronicles the history of the popularity of the ukulele itself. The book is both a narrative about Martin's ukulele manufacturing history and a reference work detailing the numbers of each style of ukulele ever made by the company. It is an exploration from Martin's first attempt at production in 1907, to the peaks of ukulele popularity in the 1920s and '50s, to the disinterest that caused Martin to cease ukulele production in the 1990s, to the recent resurgence that has allowed the firm to again offer a wide assortment of new models.

The author chronicles the remarkable story of the world's most famous guitar company, using more than 175 illustrations to tell the story of C. F. Martin and the company he created, using letters, account books, inventories, and other documents. (Performing Arts)

(Fretted). The Hal Leonard Ukulele Method is designed for anyone just learning to play ukulele. This comprehensive and easy-to-use beginner's guide by acclaimed performer and uke master Lil' Rev includes many fun songs of different styles to learn and play. The accompanying CD contains 46 tracks of songs for demonstration and play along. Includes: types of ukuleles, tuning, music reading, melody playing, chords, strumming, scales, tremolo, music notation and tablature, a variety of music styles, ukulele history and much more.

Posters included in pockets on endpapers; access to online media available.

(Book). A Stowaway Ukulele Revealed: Richard Konter & the Byrd Polar Expeditions is the unlikely and compelling story of a globe-trotting, ukulele-strumming Brooklyn sailor named Richard Konter and his famous autographed instrument. At the height of the ukulele craze, Konter was a go-to arranger for Tin Pan Alley composers and publishers. In 1926, Konter shipped out as a member of the crew of the Byrd Arctic Expedition. As a riveted world followed their progress (and that of their arch-rival, Roald Amundsen, the world's greatest polar explorer), Konter managed to get his ukulele aboard Byrd's plane for the first successful polar flight. A keen contributor to history in the making, Konter managed to obtain the autographs of more than 150 individuals, both famous and unknown, all of whom respected the importance of Konter's North Pole ukulele. Later, Konter accompanied Byrd to Antarctica and later married, for the first time at age 80, the love of his life. For the first time, A Stowaway Ukulele Revealed: Richard Konter & the Byrd Polar Expeditions details the marvelously diverse cast of characters who autographed this little instrument, presenting mini-biographies and photographs to illustrate the interconnected web of lives brought together by Konter. New archival research, interviews, and imaging all combine to make A Stowaway Ukulele Revealed: Richard Konter & the Byrd Polar Expeditions a spellbinding read that blends biography, music, polar exploration, history, determination, courage, and romance.

(Book). The Ukulele A Visual History is a fun, photo-filled look at the ongoing story of this diminutive instrument. This revised edition includes a new chapter on recent pop-culture visibility, new photos, and updated information throughout. It features breathtaking color photographs of the finest and most unique ukuleles, the history of the ukulele, the greatest players, the great makers, and the uke in popular culture. Beautifully designed and presented in a deluxe hardcover edition ... uke can't go wrong with this book!

Here is the story behind the renowned C. F. Martin & Co., the American guitar maker that has built some of the finest acoustic guitars in the world for almost two centuries. This book details virtually every Martin guitar produced right up to the present, including 2004’s one-millionth guitar. More than 100 color photos show Martin's designs, which have heavily influenced acoustic guitar manufacturers.