Wondering which Pick Pluck Play! book is right for you? Whether you’re picking up a ukulele for the very first time, looking to improve your technique, or searching for music to play for a special occasion, this guide will help you find your ideal starting point and discover where to go next.
A Series That Grew Beyond the Original Plan
When I launched the Pick Pluck Play! series with Book 1 Absolute Beginner on 15 October 2025, I had a simple goal: publish the five skill levels and then move on to The Chinese Zodiac, a collection of twelve pentatonic pieces I had written before anything else.
However, holidays, special occasions, and new musical ideas kept appearing. Every occasion seemed to present an opportunity for a new arrangement or collection. Before long, the series had taken on a life of its own, growing at the remarkable pace of roughly one new title each month.
As the catalogue expanded, it became clear that the books naturally fell into three categories.
How to Determine Your Level
To begin with, one way to find the right book is to browse the Table of Contents.
In every title, I have deliberately included the opening line of each piece in a large, readable font. By using Amazon’s “Read Sample” feature, you can often see enough of a piece to play through it and decide whether it feels too easy, too challenging, or just right.
You can also listen to the corresponding Table of Contents videos in the YouTube Playlist for each book on my YouTube channel, where I play excerpts from each book so you can hear the music before you buy.
Category 1: The Core Curriculum
The Core Curriculum is designed for players who want a structured, step-by-step path.
The first five books form the heart of the series:
- Book 1: Absolute Beginner: open strings, few left hand finger movements
- Book 2: Advancing Beginner
- Book 3: Advanced Beginner: play up the neck
- Book 4: Early Intermediate
- Book 5 : Intermediate (forthcoming)
If your goal is steady progress, start with Book 1 and work your way through Book 5. Meanwhile, the Technique / Reference books can support your learning along the way.
Category 2: Technique / Reference
These books focus on understanding how music works and building a solid technical foundation with studies (exercises)
C Major Scale with Harmony
Explore the ascending and descending one-octave C major scale through 24 studies featuring a variety of chord progressions and fingerpicking patterns. This book helps strengthen technique while developing an understanding of harmony.
Perfect for:
- Players who want daily exercises
- Musicians interested in music theory
- Fingerstyle enthusiasts
- Anyone wanting to build stronger technique
The 80/20 Guide to Ukulele
Learn the most useful chord progressions, practical patterns, and essential concepts that appear again and again in real music. This is an essential reference book.
Perfect for:
- Players fascinated by chords
- Musicians who enjoy understanding how songs are constructed
- Anyone wanting a practical reference book
- Players interested in learning the Hawaiian vamp and other useful musical tools
Category 3: Special Editions
Throughout the year, different holidays and occasions call for different music. For example, World Ukulele Day, Valentine’s Day, J.S. Bach’s birthday, and patriotic celebrations have all inspired new titles.
As the series has grown, these themed collections have become one of its most exciting branches.
World Ukulele Day
Celebrated on the second day of the second month, World Ukulele Day inspired a collection of original miniatures written especially for the occasion. If you already play the ukulele, this book is a good place to start to see where you are.
12 Timeless Love Songs
A selection of familiar love songs perfect for Valentine’s Day, weddings, anniversaries, and romantic gatherings, with background stories.
Love America! 12 Patriotic Songs
In the United States alone, there are nearly thirty holidays, commemorations, and patriotic occasions that can feature patriotic music. This collection provides familiar favourites suitable throughout the year, in particular, military marches.
Take on Bach
Originally inspired by J. S. Bach’s birthday in March, this book has become a favourite among players who enjoy classical music and would like something a little different from traditional ukulele repertoire.
And more themed collections continue to appear whenever inspiration strikes!
Bonus Material
With the exception of Book 1: Absolute Beginner, every title includes Bonus Material. For example, if a book contains original compositions, the bonus is usually an arrangement. Conversely, if a book contains arrangements, the bonus is usually an original composition.
In addition, you’ll find Chord Choreography, Build Your Own Chord Table, and a Ukulele Chord Table.
To summarize, the bonus section typically includes:
- A musical counterpart to the main content. If the book contains mostly original compositions, the bonus is usually an arrangement. If the book contains arrangements, the bonus is usually an original composition.
- Chord Choreography. Practice strategies and bespoke exercises designed to improve chord fingering, switching, and transitions between common chord shapes.
- Build Your Own Chord Table. Blank chord diagrams that encourage you to write down and organize chords in a way that makes sense to you.
- Ukulele Chord Table. A handy reference containing all the chords used in the book.
These bonus materials reinforce the idea that every book is more than just a collection of pieces. Each title is also a toolkit to help you become a more confident and independent ukulele player.
Not Sure Where to Go Next?
Here’s a quick guide:
If a book feels too easy…
Move forward to the next title in the Core Curriculum.
For instance, if Book 4 feels comfortable, try Take on Bach or Book 5.
If a book feels too difficult…
Step back to an earlier level. There is no shame in simplifying. Building confidence is far more important than rushing ahead.
If you love music theory…
Choose C Major Scale with Harmony and The 80/20 Guide to Ukulele.
If you love classical music…
Choose Take on Bach.
If you want songs to play for friends and family…
Explore the Special Editions.
If you want stronger technique…
Choose C Major Scale with Harmony.
If you are fascinated by chords and/or want to look up songs that use certain progressions…
Choose The 80/20 Guide to Ukulele.
The Journey Continues
What began as a five-book curriculum series has become something much larger: a growing library of instructional books, technical studies, original compositions, holiday collections, themed songbooks, and musical explorations.
Whether your goal is learning your first chord, mastering fingerstyle arrangements, understanding harmony, or simply finding music for a special occasion, there’s likely a Pick Pluck Play! book waiting for you.
And if there isn’t one yet… I may be working on it!
I welcome suggestions and requests. Some of the best ideas for future titles have come from readers, including the forthcoming Season’s Greetings.
Stay Up to Date
The series continues to grow, often because of suggestions from readers. In fact, some of the best ideas for future titles have come directly from the ukulele community, including the forthcoming Season’s Greetings. Finally, visit the Ukulele page on this website for the latest titles, YouTube playlists, Amazon links for paperback and Kindle editions, and current pricing information.
