The Best Folk Instruments 2024

1. Alfred's Max Ukulele [With Book] [DVD]

Hollow body; ABS composite neck; ABS composite fingerboard; linden top; ABS composite back; geared tuners; side dots inlay; arched back; strap button; ABS composite saddle; linden headstock; G, C, E, A factory tuning

This collection is nearly bigger than your uke! Over 400 songs packed into one convenient songbook that lets you play all the songs you've ever wanted to, including: All Shook Up Blowin' in the Wind California Dreamin' Don't Worry, Be Happy Edelweiss Free Fallin' Georgia on My Mind Hallelujah Hey, Soul Sister Hotel California Imagine Jambalaya Kokomo Lean on Me Margaritaville Over the Rainbow Proud Mary Que Sera, Sera Rolling in the Deep Singin' in the Rain Stand by Me Tears in Heaven Ukulele Lady Viva La Vida What a Wonderful World Your Cheatin' Heart Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah and hundreds more! Includes chord grids for soprano, concert and tenor ukuleles. 6-1/2" x 8-1/2" spiral bound.

2. Bluegrass Mandolin [DVD]

Bush takes you from traditional bluegrass-style fiddle tunes through the newgrass innovations he helped develop. He demonstrates powerful techniques while teaching ten tunes.

Find the supplies you need to learn mandolin all in one place with this Hal Leonard 125547 method pack, which includes the instrument, case, chord finder and instructional materials. The spruce, maple and mahogany A-style mandolin produces clear sound.

3. Ukulele for Kids, Vol. 1 [DVD] [1993]

Hollow body; ABS composite neck; ABS composite fingerboard; linden top; ABS composite back; geared tuners; side dots inlay; arched back; strap button; ABS composite saddle; linden headstock; G, C, E, A factory tuning

This collection is nearly bigger than your uke! Over 400 songs packed into one convenient songbook that lets you play all the songs you've ever wanted to, including: All Shook Up Blowin' in the Wind California Dreamin' Don't Worry, Be Happy Edelweiss Free Fallin' Georgia on My Mind Hallelujah Hey, Soul Sister Hotel California Imagine Jambalaya Kokomo Lean on Me Margaritaville Over the Rainbow Proud Mary Que Sera, Sera Rolling in the Deep Singin' in the Rain Stand by Me Tears in Heaven Ukulele Lady Viva La Vida What a Wonderful World Your Cheatin' Heart Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah and hundreds more! Includes chord grids for soprano, concert and tenor ukuleles. 6-1/2" x 8-1/2" spiral bound.

4. Bob Brozman: Ukulele Tunes and Techniques, Level 3 [DVD]

Hollow body; ABS composite neck; ABS composite fingerboard; linden top; ABS composite back; geared tuners; side dots inlay; arched back; strap button; ABS composite saddle; linden headstock; G, C, E, A factory tuning

This collection is nearly bigger than your uke! Over 400 songs packed into one convenient songbook that lets you play all the songs you've ever wanted to, including: All Shook Up Blowin' in the Wind California Dreamin' Don't Worry, Be Happy Edelweiss Free Fallin' Georgia on My Mind Hallelujah Hey, Soul Sister Hotel California Imagine Jambalaya Kokomo Lean on Me Margaritaville Over the Rainbow Proud Mary Que Sera, Sera Rolling in the Deep Singin' in the Rain Stand by Me Tears in Heaven Ukulele Lady Viva La Vida What a Wonderful World Your Cheatin' Heart Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah and hundreds more! Includes chord grids for soprano, concert and tenor ukuleles. 6-1/2" x 8-1/2" spiral bound.

5. Captain Corelli's Mandolin [DVD] [2001]

Nicholas Cage and Penelope Cruz star in the romantic drama Captain Corelli's Mandolin. Boasting a dazzling 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, Captain Corelli's Mandolin's picture is nothing short of near perfect. Except for the slightest amount of edge enhancement in one scene, the image and color schemes are all evenly saturated and very pleasing to the eye. The audio is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 in English and French, as well as DTS in English. Both the Dolby 5.1 and the DTS soundtrack sound very full and expansive. Range on both of these tracks is very good with Surround Sounds utilized during many scenes, especially those containing wartime fighting or Italian music. All aspects of the soundtrack are distortion free and very bombastic. Also included on this disc are closed captions in English.
Captain Corelli's Mandolin contains a few extra features that should please fans. Starting off the disc is an insightful and informative commentary track by director John Madden. While the director sometimes lapses into moments of silence, overall this is a good commentary track with many behind-the-scenes stories and information. Also included on this disc is a music video by opera singer Russell Watson for the song "Ricordo Ancor," some production notes, cast and crew information, a theatrical trailer for the film, and some DVD-ROM features for a PC computer. This isn't the most in-depth DVD ever produced, but it should satisfy those who enjoyed the film.

6. Meet Joe Black/Captain Corelli's Mandolin [2 Discs] [DVD]

The Mandolin of Bill Monroe 2: Detailed Analysis features respected professional musician Sam Bush breaking down some of the songs made famous by Monroe so that the viewer can more easily replicate Monroe's style. The video includes detailed explanations of how to play songs like "Blue Grass Breakdown," "Frog on a Lily Pad," "Back to the Old Home," "Rawhide," and "Get Up John."

7. Essential Techniques for Mandolin [DVD] [2000]

Here's a lesson that will thrill and inspire mandolinists at all levels. Chris Thile shares his own successful formula for developing right and left hand dexterity, improving speed and accuracy and playing with heightened musicality.

The mandolin is the origin of some of the most distinctive sounds in the musical universe, join mandolinist Chris Thile as he shares his effective playing techniques with viewers in this Hal Leonard release. Presented in 1.33:1 full screen and featuring an English Dolby Digital Stereo soundtrack, this release is certain to offer useful advise to both amateurs and seasoned players as well.

8. The Bluegrass Mandolin of Ronnie McCoury [DVD] [1998]

The instructional video The Bluegrass Mandolin of Ronnie McCoury features the world-renowned musician giving tips on how to approximate his own unique style, as well as that of Bill Monroe. The viewer will learn to perform a variety of songs including "Rawhide," "I Feel the Blues Movin' In," and "Don't Stop the Music."

9. The Mandolin of Bill Monroe, Vol. 1 [DVD] [1992]

The Mandolin of Bill Monroe 2: Detailed Analysis features respected professional musician Sam Bush breaking down some of the songs made famous by Monroe so that the viewer can more easily replicate Monroe's style. The video includes detailed explanations of how to play songs like "Blue Grass Breakdown," "Frog on a Lily Pad," "Back to the Old Home," "Rawhide," and "Get Up John."

10. The Mandolin of Bill Monroe, Vol. 2 [DVD] [1992]

The Mandolin of Bill Monroe 2: Detailed Analysis features respected professional musician Sam Bush breaking down some of the songs made famous by Monroe so that the viewer can more easily replicate Monroe's style. The video includes detailed explanations of how to play songs like "Blue Grass Breakdown," "Frog on a Lily Pad," "Back to the Old Home," "Rawhide," and "Get Up John."