My name is Dr. Samantha Muir. I am an Associate of the Royal College of Music, London, and in 2023 was awarded the first PhD on the ukulele (University of Surrey, UK). In 2012, after many years as a professional classical guitarist, I fell in love with the ukulele and have dedicated my life to promoting this instrument ever since. I am an arranger, composer, teacher and performer. I have given workshops and performed at events in Australia and the UK. These include the Grand Northern Ukulele Festival, Uke East, Biddulph Ukulele Group, Yeovil Ukulele Festival, Highland Ukulele Gathering, Bracklesham Ukulele Weekend, Halsway Manor Ukulele Weekend, Forest Ukulele Retreat, Valla Beach Ukulele Camp, Kalamunda Ukulele Collection and Bussleton Ukulele Group. I have self published numerous ebooks of arrangements ranging from Bach, Carulli, Sor and Giuliani to sea shanties and Christmas songs. Please visit my personal website for more detailed information about all of my ebooks and CDs. In 2015 music publisher Schott commissioned me to arrange a book called 35 Scottish Tunes for Ukulele. This book includes a CD of all 35 arrangements. Since 2018 my new works for classical ukulele have been published by Les Productions d’OZ.
I’m one of the few people outside Madeira to play the machete – one of the forerunners of the ukulele – and have a keen interest in the history of the ukulele. I have given papers on the ukulele at the GFA, International Guitar Research Centre at the University of Surrey, EGTA, the 21st Century Guitar Conference, the Dublin Guitar Symposium and the Cambridge Consortium for Guitar Research at Sidney Sussex College, University of Cambridge – of which I am a member.
Please also visit my dedicated ukulele site & blog with free tutorials & other information:
As of May 2018 my arrangements and compositions are being published by Les Productions d’Oz.
- 21 Studies for Ukulele
21 original original studies for ukulele in tab and staff notation, for GCEA tuning. Easy to intermediate standard. Available as either a book or PDF download. While the pieces cover a variety of technical challenges, my overall aim was to create a set of studies that are also musical and fun to play. A range of techniques are explored including arpeggios, campanella style, playing 2 and 3 note chords, shifting left hand patterns, and slurs and ornaments. Many ukulele players don’t venture out of first position and these pieces are specifically designed to help players develop confidence in moving up and down the fingerboard. Right and left hand fingerings are included and there are study notes on each piece to aid self learning. Detailed dynamic markings are included to enable players to broaden their appreciation of musical terminology. It is my hope that these studies will help ukulele students improve their knowledge of the fingerboard while expanding their musicianship.
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- 12 Progressive Studies for Ukulele by Samantha Muir
Original pieces for ukulele: in tab and notation, for GCEA tuning (can be played with low G), easy to intermediate level. Available as either a book or PDF download. In staff notation and tab.
Published by Les Productions d’Oz
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- Theme & Variations on the Dowie Dens of Yarrow
A set of 9 variations on a beautiful Scottish ballad. In tab and notation. For GCEA tuning (can be played with low G). For intermediate to advanced players. In staff notation and tab.
Published by Les Productions d’Oz
Available as either a book or PDF download.
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- 12 Progressive Lesson from Op.31 by Fernando Sor (arranged for ukulele by Samantha Muir)
Originally written for classical guitar these pieces work beautifully on the ukulele. In tab and notation. For GCEA tuning (may be played with a low G). For intermediate to advanced players. In staff notation and tab. Intermediate to advance.
Published by Les Productions d’Oz
Available as either a book or PDF download
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- 100 Arpeggios for Ukulele
100 arpeggio exercises in 3/4 and 4/4 time for developing finger picking technique. The exercises begin with open string patterns using the p i m a system of fingering and then develop into short exercises based on simple chords. Suitable for both high g CEA and low G CEA tunings. In staff notation and tab. All levels.
Published by Les Productions d’Oz
Available as either a book or PDF download
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- The Falling Rain
An advanced piece for solo ukulele using an alternative tuning: high g C Eb Ab. In staff notation and tab. This piece was selected as a finalist in the Joyce Dixie Composition Competition at the University of Surrey in 2018. For advanced players.
Published by Les Productions d’Oz
Available as either a book or PDF download
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- The Classical Ukulele Method
A comprehensive method for learning to play classical ukulele and campanela style. Learn the p i m a system of finger picking. Learn how to read notation & tab; understand rhythmic values; play exercises, scales, simple tunes and your first repertoire pieces. Beginner level.
Published by Les Productions d’Oz
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- 12 Traditional Tunes for Ukulele
A collection of 12 tunes arranged for solo ukulele in various styles including chord melody, arpeggio melody and campanela style. In staff notation and tab. For high g CEA tuning. Contents: Brian Boru’s March; Down By the Sally Gardens; Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes; Greensleeves; Lady Cassilles Lilt; Muddy Roads; She Moves Through the Fair; Sugar in the Gourd; The Gipsy Davy; The Old Copperplate; The Rakes of Mallow; The Parting Glass. For intermediate players.
Published by Les Productions d’Oz
Available as either a book or PDF download
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- A Conspiracy of Ravens
Six pieces based on the English folk ballad The Three Ravens originally published in 1611 in the collection Melismata compiled by Thomas Ravenscroft. For intermediate to advanced players.
Published by Les Productions d’Oz
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- 35 Scottish Folk Tunes for Ukulele arranged by Samantha Muir
A collection of Scottish folk tunes arranged in chord/melody and campanela style. For high-g CEA tuning. For intermediate to advanced players.
Published by Schott
Available as a book
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Self Published ebooks:
6 pieces by Carulli arranged for ukulele in tab and notation (gCEA tuning). Each piece has a separate right hand fingering map to aid learning. Click here for more information. Select one of the payment options in blue.
6 pieces by Sor arranged for ukulele in tab and notation (gCEA tuning). Each piece has a separate right hand fingering map to aid learning. Click here for more information. Select one of payment options in blue.
3. The Little Book of Songs & Sea Shanties
8 traditional tunes arranged for ukulele in tab and notation (gCEA tuning). Click here for more information. Select one of the payment options in blue.
4. The Little Book of Carcassi
6 pieces by Carcassi arranged for ukulele in tab and notation (gCEA tuning). Each piece has a separate right hand fingering map to aid learning. Click here for more information. Select one of the payment options in blue.
5. The Little Book of Giuliani
6 pieces by Giuliani arranged for ukulele in tab and notation (gCEA tuning). Each piece has a separate right hand fingering map to aid learning. Click here for more information. Select one of the payment options in blue.
6. The Little Book of Carulli Volume 2
8 pieces by Carulli arranged for ukulele in tab and notation (gCEA tuning). Click here for more information. Select one of the payment options in blue.
7. The Little Book of Christmas Songs (1)
12 arrangements of Christmas songs in tab and notation for gCEA. Click here for more information and list of contents.
8. The Little Book of Christmas Songs Volume 2
9. The Little Book of Irish Tunes (ebook only)
10. The Little Book of Irish Tunes (ebook & access to video tutorials)
11. The Little Book of Right Hand Technique: the art of arpeggios
Please note: As of March 2019 this booklet is no longer available and has been replaced by 100 Arpeggio Exercises for Ukulele published by Les Productions d’Oz.
12. The Beauty of Uke Music Book
13. 10 Easy Melodies for Ukulele
Single Pieces:
Prelude BWV 1007 by JS Bach (also available in The Beauty of Uke Music Book)
Gavotte II en Rondo by JS Bach
Available from Sheet Music Plus
The Lion Weeps Tonight
Samantha Muir 