The Big & Easy Songbook for Ukulele with Tablature: Early Elementary/Early Intermediate Guitar Book

Accessible without talking down. These arrangements keep things playable while honoring the source material, so students get the satisfaction of recognizing real music rather than simplified approximations. The range of genres creates a sense of discovery with each page turn.

Beginning ukulele students who are ready to move beyond isolated exercises and want to play actual songs that matter to them. Teachers seeking a single resource that covers enough stylistic ground to hold student interest without sacrificing pedagogical clarity.

• Treat the solos and duets as separate pathways. Solo arrangements work for independent practice and student recitals; duets become your quick wins for ensemble playing without requiring a full band setup.
• Lean on the tablature before diving into staff notation. Beginning ukulele students often read tabs first, so let them build confidence on familiar territory before introducing the added cognitive load of five-line reading.
• Mix genre assignments across lessons rather than blocking them. A classical theme one week, a spiritual the next, a popular song after that keeps students from falling into single-style assumptions about what ukulele can do.

Build your ukulele ensemble repertoire layer by layer. Start with solos for your first-semester students, add duets once they've settled into basic positions, then weave selections into assembly programs, holiday concerts, and spring showcases where ukulele adds a distinctive texture your band or orchestra doesn't otherwise provide.

• Reading tablature and staff notation simultaneously
• Playing consistent rhythm patterns in varied meters
• Transitioning between open chords and barred formations
• Balancing melody and accompaniment in ensemble settings
• Adjusting tone and dynamics across multiple genres