Learning a musical instrument has many benefits, and it’s never too late to start. Did you know that you can borrow a ukulele from the library? The ukulele can be borrowed for a week, complete with a tuner and a book to get started learning to play. Plus, there are additional books and DVDs to choose from for self-teaching. Not interested in ukuleles? The Lititz Public Library has resources on how to play other instruments as well.
Ukulele Resources
Play Ukulele Today! A Complete Guide to the Basics (Book, CD, and DVD set)
Including a book that covers the basics including chords, scales, and many songs, a DVD for visual aid and demonstration, and a CD to teach how songs are supposed to sound, this set can be beneficial for the absolute beginner.
Teach Yourself to Play Ukulele (DVD)
With over an hour of short ukulele lessons, get acquainted with the history of the instrument, how to play and tune it, and how to read music. With music shown on the screen, it’s possible to play along—no book required.
Ukulele Chords Made Easy (DVD)
Get more proficient with chords, which, for many, can be easier to learn if they are seen played.
3-Chord Songs for Ukulele
Learn how to play some vintage favorites such as “Surfin’ U.S.A.” and “Bye Bye Love” with only three chords per song.
Island Style Ukulele (DVD)
Expand your ukulele repetoire, learn a new finger exercise, and take tours of four different ukulele factories.
Guitar
Play it All: Acoustic Guitar (DVD and CD)
Learn various techniques for a number of genres on acoustic guitar with 100 minutes of lessons. This DVD comes with a CD of backing tracks to play along.
Teach Yourself Visually Guitar by Charles Kim
As the title suggests, this guide is filled with color photographs to help get started playing the guitar. Includes techniques from beginner to advanced, and even information about buying your first guitar and keeping it in good condition.
Guitar Player Repair Guide: How to Set Up, Maintain, and Repair Electrics and Acoustics by Dan Erlewine
Learn how to keep your guitar well-maintained and find out how to do a variety of repairs.
Piano
Play Piano Today! by Amy Appleby (book with CD included)
Never played the piano before but curious to give it a try? This starts with the basics and also teaches some music theory.
Piano: An Easy Guide by Chris Coetzee (book)
A comprehensive book with extensive visuals not only for those who want to learn how to play the piano, but for those who are interested in learning about the instrument itself and about music history. While it covers the basics, most of the pieces of music included, though simple, are not for the absolute beginner.
88 Keys: The Making of a Steinway Piano by Miles Chapin (book)
Discover the precise and complex art of making a Steinway piano, from the selection of the wood, to the voicing, to the finishing, all of which is done by hand. Includes lavish illustrations.
Organ
Hammond Organ Complete: Tunes, Tones, and Techniques for Drawbar Keyboards by Dave Limina (book with CD included)
For anyone who knows how to play keyboard instruments, but is baffled by working the drawbars and pedals of an organ and would like to know how, this could be of help. Learn techniques for a variety of music genres.
Dulcimer
You Can Teach Yourself Dulcimer by Madeline MacNeil
Get started playing the dulcimer with this guide that has music in standard musical notation and tablature.
Make your own instruments
Junkyard Jam Band: DIY Musical Instruments and Noisemakers by David Erik Nelson (book)
For those who are zealous with tinkering and daring enough to create electronic instruments, here are sixteen unique projects to keep you entertained.
Kathryn Raynor
May 22, 2019