Weird and Wonderful Instruments! Monday, March 26, 2012
From time to time at Stanton’s, we get calls for method books to go with instruments we rarely see. One of these is a guitar, or concert, zither. We have a method book that Carl Fischer publishes for that instrument.
People have called about, and sometimes walked in with, a funny “hybrid” instrument called a 
“ukelin“. It is half bowed psaltery (violin), half plucked chords (ukulele), hence “ukelin”. This is a two-fisted instrument, played purely for fun. You bow with the right hand and pluck with the left-at the same time. For more on this strange beastie, check out the link.
Did you find a 4 stringed baby banjo in the closet or attic? We bet you have found a banjo ukulele. We have books for ukuleles of any stripe. One of the best books to learn ukulele is “Jumpin’ Jim’s Tips ‘n’ Tunes” by Jim Beloff. A chord chart is in the back of the book, and there are plenty of fun songs to learn, including the most serious ukulele rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” we may have ever seen (or played). Contact us at by email or call 1-800-42-MUSIC. No matter what you bought at the flea market or found in the closet, give us a call and we will see whether we can get you a method book so you can play your newest acquisition.