The Joy of Uke: A Hands-On Guide to Playing Ukulele

Jim Beloff was a guitarist who picked up a ukulele at a flea market and hasn't been the same since. It's portable, versatile, limitless in terms of musicality, and--hey--it's cool. After tuning up, Jim plays a series of familiar songs, gradually adding new chords, strumming techniques and concepts as he goes along; all easy to follow since the camera provides close-up shots and the songs are played at a pleasantly considerate pace. If you still aren't won over, you might be when visiting Jim's collection, where viewers learn about the origins of the instrument and see some wonderful ways the ukulele has been interpreted through the years: the pineapple uke, the Betty Boop, and my personal favorite, the "surfalele," which beach dudes can stick in the sand while they catch a wave between tunes. Beloff winds up sharing current information on manufacturers and festivals, and provides a bibliography and discography for further information and enjoyment. A rare melding of education, information and entertainment, this one sets the standard for an instructional music video. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: H, P. (J. Reed)