No Tiptoes or Tulips Here!

MORE THAN YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT STARTING A

UKULELE PROGRAM AND ORCHESTRA

Why Ukulele? Accessibility: Students are not intimidated by the ukulele

Affordable: Cost is lower for good-quality instruments than guitar, etc.

Musical Flexibility: Melodic and chordal

Pedagogical Considerations Some general advice to building a program

Why only teach students how to strum chords? Ukes are a great way to teach music literacy!

If you have the ability to teach ukulele as a class, rather than just a unit, don’t just teach chords – we have autoharps for that!

Strumming can be a much more difficult skill than many assume; students should be guided carefully in this stage

Method Books

Method books I recommend, in order of preference:

UKULELE IN THE CLASSROOM, BY JAMES HILL & J. CHALMERS DOANE

Positive:

o Best for a long-term, comprehensive ukulele class

o Comprehensive, melodic-based approach

o Includes duets & exercises

o Treats the ukulele as a serious instrument, rather than an “easy” instrument

o NO TAB

Negative:

o Canadian curriculum is focused on linear tuning, which is not the norm in the US

HAL LEONARD UKULELE METHOD, BY LIL’ REV

Positive:

o Covers basics well, good graphics to show note locations

o Several simple note reading exercises for each string before moving to next string

o Introduces melodic playing first, then chords

Neutral:

o Begins by teaching string 3 (C), then 2, then 1

o Uses very familiar tunes as reading exercises

Negative:

o Uses TAB

o Ramps up strumming technique too quickly

ALFRED’S BASIC UKULELE METHOD, BY RON MANUS AND L. C. HARNSBERGER

Positive:

o Clear graphics to show fingering of each note

o Removes “letter name” crutch quickly (Only puts letter name on first note in example)

o Introduces melodic playing first, then chords

o Excellent approach to teaching chords – string by string

o Very methodical about teaching strum technique

Neutral:

o Begins by teaching string 1 (A), then 2, then 3

o Early teaching tunes are not familiar (First string blues, etc.)

Negative:

o Uses TAB

o Teaching tunes are very long (First two are 8 bars, followed by another with 16)

Sample Curriculum Map This sample curriculum map is from a 9 week 6th Grade Exploratory class. No students were enrolled in an ensemble. We used the Hal

Leonard Ukulele Method.

Unit 1: The Basics

o Class Procedures, Ukulele Assignments & Inventory

o Ukulele Parts, String Names & Numbers, Instrument Care

o Basic technique: Sitting position, finger positions, finger assignment to frets, tone

o Finger Exercise 1 – Single String Exercise

o Practice Concept 1: Don’t practice until you get it right, practice until you can’t get it wrong

o Test on Parts, String Names & Numbers (Socrative.com)

Unit 2: Pitches In First Position

o Notes on C String: C, D

o Notes on E String: E, F, G

o Notes on A String: A, B, C

o Identification of notes on staff and frets

o Reading Concept 2: Looking ahead in music, watching for changes in patterns

o Practice Concept 3: Practice fundamental skills every time

o Practice Concept 4: Work most on skills that are difficult for you

o Playing Test: C Major Scale while naming pitches out loud

o Written test on note identification on staff and fretboard (Socrative.com)

o Extensions: Improvisation using C Major Scale with I-V-vi-VI pattern, Fingerpicking each string with different finger

Unit 3: Basic Chords & Strumming

o Basic Strum Technique

1. The beat is always a down strum

2. Strumming hand stays in motion on the beat regardless of whether it is strumming that pass (Air Strum)

3. Down strum with fingernails, Up strum with thumbnail

o What is a Chord? (It’s not a cord!)

o Chord Technique – checking each note before strumming

o First Chords: C, F, G(7), Am

o Learning Chord Changes

1. Finger Mapping (Plan route)

2. Isolate fretting hand changes (No strumming)

3. Building the change: Whole Note Strums, then Half Note, then Quarter

4. One-Minute Chord Change Log

o Reading Concepts: Chord Diagrams, Reading Strumming Notation (Down & Up strokes)

o Practice Concept 5: Isolate and master individual skills before combining them

o Practice Concept 6: Build speed gradually to avoid introducing mistakes

o Practice Concept 7: Track progress in order to maintain resiliency and analyze practice habits

o Playing Test: Assigned Chord Changes on quarter notes

o Written test on Chord Diagram identification & strumming concepts, Tracking of Chord Change Log

o Extensions: Eighth-Note Strumming, Intermediate Strumming Technique (D, DU, D, DU and more)

Unit 4: Ensemble Playing

o Playing with a partner

1. Playing tunes from book with written chords – one partner plays melody, other plays chords

2. Balance – Who should be heard more?

3. Tempo – Staying together

o Playing with an ensemble

1. Play simple orchestral arrangement (Somebody I Used to Know)

2. Maintaining part while being aware of all parts

Final Project: Four Chord Song

o Discussion: What is a Cover Song? What is the difference in expectation between a pop cover versus a classical performance?

o Students choose a song that uses the I, V, vi, IV (C, G, Am, F) chord progression

o Students work in small groups (no more than 3) to create a “Cover Song” (ALL STUDENTS SING), then perform it for class

Ukulele Sizes The ukulele tradition does not correlate the size of the instrument with the size of a person, as we often do with other string instruments. In

fact, the smallest size (Soprano) is the traditional size of the instrument. Players make their decisions based on personal tonal preferences, as

well as how comfortable it is to play.

In order of smallest to largest, standard ukuleles are either Soprano, Concert, Tenor, or Baritone. Sopranos, Concerts, and Tenors all use the

same tuning (gCea). Baritone is tuned like the top four strings of the guitar (DGBE), so may work well to have a couple on hand if you teach a

guitar class and have some kids with small hands. For general classroom use, I prefer to use the concert size.

Ukulele Recommendations for Classroom Sets

Get decent instruments, and the students will have a better experience! Get the wrong instruments and you’ll be spending your time tuning

and doing repairs, rather than teaching and planning. It’s easy to cheap out, but you will pay for it in the future! The ukulele models that I list

below are recommended based on their general quality of sound & playability, durability, and consistency of the quality control. I have

personally played and used each of these instruments in the classroom.

MODELS LISTED IN ORDER OF RECOMMENDATION. PRICE LISTED IS WHAT YOU MIGHT EXPECT IF ORDERING A QUANTITY OF 20-30:

1. CORDOBA 15CM (CONCERT): $70

2. OHANA CK-10 (CONCERT): $50

3. KALA KA-15S (SOPRANO): $50

4. MAKALA DOLPHIN (SOPRANO): $30

Teacher Instrument Models

Don’t forget that you need something to play! Try out some sizes to find out what is comfortable for you. If you have guitar experience, you

might find transitioning to Tenor easier than a smaller size. In addition, it will have a larger sound than most of the concert or soprano

sizes. Get an instrument with good sound, but consider either purchasing one with a pickup already installed or adding a pickup. See my

website to find out how to add a pickup to your ukulele for under $5.

1. GRETSCH TENOR 9121 A.C.E. ($200) [ELECTRIC]

2. CORDOBA 20TM-CE ($180) [ELECTRIC]

3. OHANA TK-10 ($100) [ACOUSTIC ONLY]

Strings

Strings don’t break often, but they will break. They also directly affect the sound of the ukulele to a greater degree than most string

instruments. Depending on the instruments you get, you may want to change strings immediately. More information on strings may be

found on my website.

RECOMMENDED:

AQUILA NYLGUT ($8/SET)

MARTIN M600 ($5/SET)

FLUOROCARBON FISHING LINE ($1.30- 2.00/SET)

o STRING 4 (G): 40 LB TEST

o STRING 3 (C): 80 LB TEST

o STRING 2 (E): 60 LB TEST

o STRING 1 (A): 30 LB TEST

Other Equipment to Consider

UKULELE STRAP (WILL PROBABLY NEED TO INSTALL STRAP BUTTONS)

AMPLIFIER (PLUG IN, SO STUDENTS CAN HEAR YOU!)

IREAL PRO (APP): CAN CREATE DRUM TRACKS, CHORD PROGRESSIONS, ETC. WHILE PROJECTING UKULELE CHORDS TO PLAY ALONG WITH

CLIP-ON TUNER (CAN TUNE WITH NOISE IN ROOM!)

UKULELE STAND OR HOOK FOR YOUR UKULELE

Instrument Storage Depending on your room setup, consider hanging your instruments on the wall. Kids LOVE seeing the “Uke Wall,” generating interest, plus it

makes it much more obvious when there’s an issue with one of the instruments. Instruments will stay in tune longer than putting them in

bags. String Swing brand hangers will run about $8/piece, but there are other options – if you are into DIY, try making strips of leather or

something strong to attach to the tuners & hang over a nail in the wall.

TIP: Number your instruments, and assign a specific instrument to a specific student. They will feel more accountable in taking care of their

instrument. I have included an “inventory form” to mark damage & maintenance.

1 Minute Chord Change Log

THIS DOCUMENT CAN BE A POWERFUL TOOL TO DEVELOP YOUR ABILITY TO CHANGE FROM ONE CHORD TO ANOTHER SMOOTHLY. WRITE IN THE DATE OF YOUR FIRST DAY THAT YOU BEGIN A NEW CHORD CHANGE UNDER “DAY 1 DATE”, THEN WRITE IN THE CHORD

CHANGE YOU ARE GOING TO WORK ON. SETTING A COUNTDOWN OF 1 MINUTE, COUNT HOW MANY TIMES YOU CAN CHANGE THE

CHORD IN THAT MINUTE.

REMEMBER THE GOAL IS NOT SPEED, IT’S ACCURACY! MAKE SURE YOUR CHANGES ARE STEADY AND ACCURATE, AND THE SPEED

WILL COME LATER. SET YOUR “END OF WEEK GOAL” AFTER YOU HAVE COUNTED OUT YOUR “DAY 1” CHANGES.

DAY 1

DATE CHORD CHANGE DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5

END OF

WEEK

GOAL

C G

CCCONDITIONONDITIONONDITION/D/D/DAMAGEAMAGEAMAGE RRREPORTEPORTEPORT

DAMAGE CODES: SC (Scratch), G (Gouge), D (Dent), P (Peeled), CH (Chipped),

CR (Cracked), L (Loose),

OTH (Other—make note on opposite side of card)

MMUSICUSIC DDEPARTMENTEPARTMENT

DATE PERIOD ISSUE ACTION

Ukulele Number:Ukulele Number:

Student RecordStudent Record

Period Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4

Ukulele Maintenance RecordUkulele Maintenance Record

© 2010 Crystal Lake Media. All Rights Reserved. Visit www.ukuleleintheclassroom.com/sheetmusic for more arrangements like this one.

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