What is the best Bouzouki method book to start with?
I’ll be starting with a 10-string Bouzouki.
There are very few methods at all for Irish bouzouki. Zan McLeod did a Homespun video, which I’ve heard mixed reviews of, and Gerry McKee has a Mad for Trad tutorial that’s supposed to be pretty decent. Walton’s used to put out a book-and-tape set called “Exploring the Bouzouki” that was next to useless. Other than that you’re on your own. You might have a look at a mandolin method to give yourself a leg up on how the scales lay out, though of course you have to adapt to a different tuning.
John McGann’s Guide to Octave Mandolin and Bouzouki is pretty good. It gives tabs for melody and accompaniment ideas. I had a copy but I think I loaned it to someone and never got it back. There’s a CD with it. McGann is a terrific player and he covers more than Irish music.
Chris Smith has some online material that might be useful-particularly Improvising Counterpoint. Look in Words and Music.