If you ever see one of these old methods (1950) grab it, it's a great method to have around. Beside being full of great old tunes, it also has great information about the Fingerboard, the Tiple, Tuning, Keys and Fundamental Chords, Helpful Hints on Stroking, Ukulele Exercises, and plenty of Chord Names and Diagrams, just in case you have not quite made it to my Chord Pages yet. There are also a couple of Ukulele instrumental solos in the back, for you hard core jammers. Overall, a very cool book.

   This Five Minute Guaranteed Ukulele Course (1927) describes itself as the simplified self teacher for the ukulele for which everyone has been waiting. Covering the basics beginning with the tuning of the instrument, holding the ukulele, playing with a pick, strumming with the fingers and a comprehensive listing of twenty~five chords, this little method sends you "on your way to playing the latest and most popular songs in the world." Out of all the old methods I have seen this is probably the easiest to get ahold of. All in all this little book is a pretty cool addition to a ukulele method collection, (except for the psycho looking murderous clowns on the front cover.)

   Smith's 200 songs for the Ukulele is a great song book just because of all the great old tunes. This awesome song book really delivers for the beginning Ukulele player because all of the songs use only basic chords. This book is not a method but a song book for the Ukulele. There are no tips or hints for playing the uke, no holding diagrams, not much of anything else, except songs. A real winner. If you can get ahold of one of these (there is always one of these on Ebay) get it. It is a great book to have around for the fun of it.

   Here it is, the one I know you've been waiting for! The official method and instruction book for the wonderful Ukelin. Many mock this great instrument of the past, yeah? That's only because they never learned how to play it. (Actually, I don't think anyone did.) This combination Violin and Ukulele was invented circa 1925. Many different companies made and sold this instrument, so it is really hard to say who made the better one. As a musician I can say that it really is a very nice instrument, musically sound and beautifully crafted, it's just a real pain to tune and keep tuned, as well as to learn how to play. The method book states that the Ukelin has been adapted carefully to the requirements of the American player, and that everything possible has been done to insure the owner of a Ukelin, ease in playing, and the lasting enjoyment of a well made instrument.
(I'm not sure which American player they spoke to, but nonetheless..., there you go.) The melodies and songs in the method are all tab oriented, (numbers yeah?)
I found my beautiful Ukelin as complete as any collector would hope. Nice case, all manuals and warranties, extra strings, perfect bow, new resin, a few picks, order forms for more music and a Ukelin in flawless shape. Actually, one of my favorite old collector Ukes.