Christmas Classics for Solo Ukulele

Product Description

This book is a collection of 30 progressive, (from easy to intermediate) Christmas, ukulele solos lovingly arranged by Gary Stewart. These songs are arranged for (high g)-C-E-A (standard tuning) tuned ukuleles. All of the songs are in easy to read tablature and come with chord symbols as well. The songs also contain left hand fingerings. Also, all songs contain the original, complete lyrics. This book would be ideal for the aspiring ukulele player, or the advanced player looking for Christmas solos that easily sight readable. Most songs contain illustrations which help to bring the music to life. The concept for this book was to make the majority of the arrangements stay within the first position, and then slowly have them progress in difficulty throughout the book. Moreover, even though most of the arrangements are easy in difficulty, great care has been taken to ensure the arrangements have a full accompaniment, and act as fully functioning solos. Even though they are classified as “easy,” they are still usable by even the most advanced players. This book can be used a gig book, as a method supplement, or just a traditional Christmas songbook. Lastly, as students advance through the book they will improve their technique, add pieces to their repertoire, and be the life of the Christmas party.

Review

Here’s my new favorite this year:

EXACTLY what you would expect from the title. It’s a wonderful collection of “Christmas classics” (no Rudolph or Rockin’ Aound the Christmas Tree here!), presented with very nicely thought-out arrangements in notation and uke tab. -Danno Sullivan playitdailyukulele.com

From the Author

T
he inspiration for this book arose from the desire to provide one of my students, Ian, with easy to play Christmas ukulele solos. The concept was to make the majority of the arrangements stay within the first position, and then slowly have them progress in difficulty throughout the book. Moreover, even though most of the arrangements are easy in difficulty, great care has been taken to ensure the arrangements have a full accompaniment, and act as fully functioning solos. Even though they are classified as “easy,” they are still usable by even the most advanced players. This book can be used from everything such as a gig book, to a method supplement, or just a traditional Christmas songbook. Lastly, as students advance through the book they will improve their technique, add pieces to their repertoire, and be the life of the Christmas party.
 
 
 

About the Author

A native of Kentucky, Gary Stewart began playing the piano, banjo, ukulele, and viola as a child. Stewart has performed as a soloist, chamber musician, and lecturer for several festivals and concert series. He was a top prize-winning guitarist in several guitar competitions such as, The Rantucci International Guitar Competition (New York), The Southeastern Guitar Congress Guitar Competition (Alabama), The Young Persons Beethoven Club Competition (Tennessee), and the Jim Stroud Guitar Competition (Ohio). Stewart has also been the recipient of several composition dedications. Stewart has world premiered several guitar concerti, and chamber works with various orchestras, and chamber ensembles. He has performed and recorded with The Cleveland Baroque Orchestra and the Cleveland Opera. His recording with Apollo’s Fire on Avie records, entitled, “Come to the River,” was released internationally and debuted in the Classical Billboard top 10. Stewart has also recorded over 150 pieces for the Guitar Foundation of America archive. He has also published numerous guitar, ukulele, banjo and general music books. He completed his undergraduate studies in guitar performance with Dr. Stanley Yates at Austin Peay State University, his master’s degree studies with Stephon Aron (Oberlin Conservatory) at Akron University, and concluded his doctoral studies with Dr. Glenn Caluda at Shenandoah Conservatory.