tips & Tricks to Teaching ukulele
Establish the three basic rules for the group:
Click Youtube Links to learn more about tuning, strumming, playing notes, etc.
- Take turns: Everyone will have the chance to play. Teach Members to be respectful when you're teaching and when their classmates are asking questions/playing/singing.
- For example: “When I’m teaching you a new chord or a new song, your ukuleles should be down and your eyes should be forward. There will be plenty of time to jam on the ukuleles during the lesson so I should hear no strumming while I’m teaching. The same respect goes for your classmates when they’re playing, we’re all going to respectful and encouraging.”
- Tuning: Only the leader will tune ukuleles. If Members play with the tuners on the head of the ukulele, ukuleles won't sound right or strings could snap = broken instrument.
- If members want further explanation, use ukulele tuner to visually demonstrate how each string makes a specific sound by going through each G, C, E, and A strings.
- Demonstrate to members how an in-tune ukulele should sound. Slowly strum down each string and the sound should resemble “My Dog Has Fleas”
- Work Together: Members should work with you as the instructor and each other. Encourage Members to help neighbor if they're struggling.
- For example, while learning a chord, some members will have learn it quicker than others. Say, “If you’ve already mastered the *blank* chord, help someone in the group who is struggling.”
- Play songs that engage the group
- Include a song sheet (a piece of blank paper titled “Song Requests) for their individual song requests
- Work with Members one on one when possible
- Remember: Members love to strum and sing along
- Actively identifying strings, frets, holding, tuners, chords makes teaching the group a lot easier
- Set goals for each class and communicate those goals with Members so everybody is on board and feels encouraged to work towards each lesson’s goals.
- Turn switching chords into a game
- For example: say, “I’m going to count to 8 and every time I say ‘8’ switch from C to Am.”
- Turn finding frets into a game
- For example: say, “Who remembers frets? Who can show me the 3rd fret the fastest? 5th fret? 7th fret?”
- Remember: Frets are very important to review because if Members can easily identify them, chords become much easier to teach.
- Sing along with the Members! Members look to you for guidance and when you sing along with them, it increases their confidence.
- When a Member is doing something well or showing improvement, always let them know!
- Complimenting Members increases their confidence as they continue with the ukulele.
- When group as a whole is doing well or showing improvement, have them perform for someone present at the club (director, team member, parent, volunteer, etc.)
- When a Member is struggling, relate their struggle to your personal experience in learning the ukulele to make them feel better
- For example say, “When I was learning the ukulele, I just couldn’t play this one chord, but I kept practicing and practicing and now I can do it no problem. Just keep working at it and I know you’ll get it.”
- Work with the struggling Member one on one until they feel caught up and more confident playing the ukulele
- Tuning: Ukulele is tuned G C E A. Ukuleles go easily out of tune, allow at least 15 minutes to tune ukuleles before each session.
- Care: Ukuleles are wooden & fragile. They need protection against dropping and excessive heat. Young people need to be explicitly taught how to strum the instrument correctly without breaking strings (which can happen when Members pull on them).
- Holding: Ukulele is held close to body by the right forearm. The right hand will strum and the left hand will play notes and chords.
- Strumming: Fingernails of the first and second fingers on right hand or the right hand thumb are used to strum. Members can use a felt pick, but it is preferable that they use their fingers.
- Playing Notes: Strings must be pressed all the way to fingerboard. Members will complain about fingers hurting at first. Explain they'll develop callouses aka tough fingertips.
Click Youtube Links to learn more about tuning, strumming, playing notes, etc.
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Lesson 1: Uke'an Strum
Lesson Date: Friday, November 4th 2016
Course: Ukulele Instruction
Lesson Title: Uke’an Strum
Level: Beginner
Arrival: 2:40 (for tuning & set-up)
Lesson Duration: 3:00 - 4:00
Lesson Objectives:
Course: Ukulele Instruction
Lesson Title: Uke’an Strum
Level: Beginner
Arrival: 2:40 (for tuning & set-up)
Lesson Duration: 3:00 - 4:00
Lesson Objectives:
- Introduce yourself to group
- Get the group comfortable with each other
- Establish 3 rules of handling the ukulele
- Members will learn to identify main parts of ukulele
- Members will learn basics of strumming
- Members will strum to a song
- Extra time: introduce frets
- Arrive 20 minutes early to tune 15 ukuleles
- Set up classroom with chairs
- Introduction:
- Introduce yourself
- Talk to Members individually as you tune the ukuleles
- 3 Rules:
- Take turns - Everyone will have the chance to play. Teach Members to be respectful when you're teaching and when their classmates are asking questions/playing/singing.
- Tuning - Only leader will tune ukuleles. If Members play with tuners, ukuleles won't sound right or strings could snap = broken instrument.
- Work Together - Work with Members, and Members work with you and each other. Encourage Members to help neighbor if they're struggling.
- Game Idea: Member who can recite all 3 rules gets first choice of uke
- Hand out ukuleles
- Let them (gently) take ukuleles out of case
- Identify different parts of the ukulele together - Use Ukulele Anatomy Handouts
- Head, Body (compare instrument to a puppy -> handle it with care)
- Tuners - do not touch
- Strings
- Frets
- Strumming Explanation
- Say, “Who knows how to strum?” then explain:
- Use right hand to strum
- Down-strum - start by using thumb pressed up against fretboard
- Note by note, play each string down
- Start doing it faster
- For Members who learn quickly:
- Use index and thumb of right hand pressed together to strum
- Say, “Who knows how to strum?” then explain:
- Strumming Game
- Fret Game
- Play songs for Ukulele Strum-Along
- You Are My Sunshine (Use songs with which they are familiar)
- Ukulele Song Binder
- Invite group to write down songs they want to learn in binder
- Ukulele Anatomy Handout
- Print out two of these sheets and put it in the front of class for members who are having a difficult time remembering parts of ukulele
- Strumming Game -
- Say, “When I say the number 8, use the strumming technique we just learned to strum down on your ukuleles.”
- Members strum on 8: 1234678 12345678
- on 4 and 8: 12345678 12345678
- Fret Game -
- Say “Who can find the __ Fret the fastest?”
- Call out different frets and members race to identify each Fret first
- Use this game often so Members are comfortable with Frets and are more prepared for learning chords
- Strumming
- Notes
- Frets
- Body of Ukulele
- Tuners
- Ukulele Tuner
- 15 Tuned Ukuleles
- Chairs
- Ukulele Anatomy Handout
- Ukulele Song/Handout Binder
- Group taught in Learning Center (large room)
- Attendance: 11 Members
- Not every moment has to be structured, make sure members have time to sing with the ukulele and play together
- Reach out to the two young people that aren’t singing along with the group and help them join the others
- Work one on one with members when other Members are occupied with singing with the ukulele
- Never shut down song ideas, Members will tell you what they want to learn
- Spend time talking and connecting with the Members
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Lesson 2: Uke'an Play c Chords
Lesson Date: Tuesday, November 8th, 2016
Course: Ukulele Instruction
Lesson Title: Uke’an Play C Chords
Level: Beginner
Arrival: 4:10 (for tuning & set-up)
Lesson Duration: 4:30 - 5:30
Lesson Objectives:
Course: Ukulele Instruction
Lesson Title: Uke’an Play C Chords
Level: Beginner
Arrival: 4:10 (for tuning & set-up)
Lesson Duration: 4:30 - 5:30
Lesson Objectives:
- Review rules of group/handling ukulele
- Review frets and strumming
- Introduce the C chord (extra time: introduce Am)
- Members will strum/sing along to 2 songs
- Include requested songs in song binder
- Arrive 20 minutes early to set up class
- Tune ukuleles for Members
- Involve Members by asking that they bring you the ukulele they want to use for the lesson and showing them how you’re tuning the ukuleles.
- Print out C Chord Handout
- Introduction
- Take roll call
- Use sticky notes to label ukulele bags
- Communicate that Members will be responsible for taking care of their instrument and putting it back in its bag at the end of the lesson.
- Ask who remembers #1 Rule “Don’t touch the tuners”
- Review when teaching, ukes are down
- Strumming Review
- Who remembers strumming from last class?
- Who wants to strum along to the songs you requested?
- group sing/strum along
- Take songs further with the C Chord
- First, show Members the C Chord by playing it yourself
- Explain verbally where chord is by using terms: fret and strings
- 4th string, 3rd fret
- Then go around individually to help Members who appear to be struggling
- Use C Chord Handout as visual aid
- Introduce Am Chord to Members who understand C
- Play C Chord Switch Game
- Practice songs again using C chord when possible
- Practice singing / playing chords as group
- Extra time:
- Teach F chord in the songs
- Strum Game:
- Instruct Members to strum on certain counts
- Say, “Strum down every time I say 8: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8.” Continue with 4 and 8, then even numbers, etc.
- Fret Game:
- Game to find the frets the fastest. Call out Fret #’s and Members will race to identify them first.
- Use Strum Game and Fret Game to progress to Switch Game using strum game because Members are familiar should be familiar with these 2 games already
- C Chord Switch Game
- Go back and forth between the C chord and no chord
- If Members are struggling, use as an opportunity to review the C chord again
- Group sing/strum along
- Invite members to play C chords in the songs
- Strumming
- Frets
- Chords
- Tuners
- Ukulele Tuner
- 15 Tuned Ukuleles
- Chairs
- Ukulele Song/Handout Binder
- Taught in Learning Center (large room)
- Attendance: 6 Members
- Members will make the connection between playing chords and playing songs if they are encouraged to learn chord and then play that chord during the songs
- Save time at the end of lessons for members to sing along
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Lesson 3: Uke'an play am Chords
Lesson Date: Friday, November 18th, 2016
Course: Ukulele Instruction
Lesson Title: Uke’an Play Am Chords
Level: Beginner
Arrival: 2:40 (for tuning & set-up)
Lesson Duration: 3:00 - 4:00
Lesson Objectives:
Course: Ukulele Instruction
Lesson Title: Uke’an Play Am Chords
Level: Beginner
Arrival: 2:40 (for tuning & set-up)
Lesson Duration: 3:00 - 4:00
Lesson Objectives:
- Review rules of class/handling of ukulele
- Review terms: strumming and frets
- Members will learn how to switch from Am to C chord
- Members will be able to play C and Am chords in songs
- Some Members may progress to F chords
- Include requested songs in song binder
- Arrive 20 minutes early to tune ukuleles
- Print out Am Chord Handout and bring C Chord Handout
- Introduction
- Take roll call
- Use tape to label ukulele bags (Members responsible for instrument)
- #1 Rule: “Don’t touch the tuners”
- Quick Strumming Review
- Group sing/strum along using requested songs / songs in song binder
- Say, "Who remembers how to strum? We're going to strum and sing along to the *insert song* song!"
- Take songs further with chords
- Review C Chord by frets & strings
- Teach Am Chord
- Show Members the Am Chord by playing it yourself
- Explain verbally where chord is by using terms: fret and strings
- 1st string, 2nd fret
- Use Am Chord for visual aid
- Then go around individually to help Members who appear to be struggling
- Play C to Am Chord Switch Game
- Practice songs again using Am and C chords
- Practice singing / playing chords as a group
- Practice two performance songs
- Extra time:
- Introduce F chord in the songs
- Members may spend last 15 minutes playing songs
- Members will help clean up
- Strum Game
- Instruct Members to strum on certain counts
- Say, “Strum down every time I say 8: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8.” Continue with 4 and 8, then even numbers, etc.
- Fret Game
- Game to find the frets the fastest. Call out Fret #’s and Members will race to identify them first.
- Use Strum Game and Fret Game to progress to Switch Game using strum game because Members are familiar should be familiar with these 2 games already
- C to Am Switch Game
- Members switch from C to Am on counts
- Use same counts as used in strumming game
- If Members are struggling, use as opportunity to review the C chord and Am chord
- Members switch from C to Am on counts
- Play songs
- Members play C and Am chords on song sheets
- C Chords = highlighted yellow
- Am Chords = highlighted green
- Advanced Members may play F Chords on song sheets
- Members play C and Am chords on song sheets
- Members may play songs of their choice at end of lesson
- Strumming
- Frets
- Chords
- C Chord
- Am Chord
- F Chord
- Ukulele Tuner
- 15 Tuned Ukuleles
- Chairs
- Ukulele Song/Handout Binder
- Treat Incentive
- Taught in Learning Center (large room)
- Attendance: 8 Members
- Always bring extra paper for members to write their own songs or bring a ukulele coloring page - it’s sometimes difficult for Members to focus for full hour
- Consider bringing treat incentive if Members are having a hard time focusing, but make sure treat incentive doesn’t distract from goals of lesson
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Lesson 4: uke'an play f chords
Lesson Date: Friday, Dec 2nd, 2016
Course: Ukulele Instruction
Lesson Title: Uke’an Play F Chords
Level: Beginner
Arrival: 2:40 (for tuning & set-up)
Lesson Duration: 3:00 - 4:00
Lesson Objectives:
Course: Ukulele Instruction
Lesson Title: Uke’an Play F Chords
Level: Beginner
Arrival: 2:40 (for tuning & set-up)
Lesson Duration: 3:00 - 4:00
Lesson Objectives:
- Review rules of class/handling of ukulele
- Review terms: strumming, frets, Am, and C Chords
- Introduce F Chord
- Members will strum all the way through two performance songs playing chords all except G chord
- Extra time: Members may progress to G chord
- Include requested songs in song binder (Make New Friends)
- Arrive 20 minutes early to tune ukuleles
- Print out F Chord Handout
- Bring C Chord and Am Chord Handouts
- Introduction:
- Take roll call
- Members claim ukulele bags
- 1# Rule: “Don’t touch the tuners”
- Review C and Am Chords
- Play the C and Am switching game
- group sing/strum along for 2 songs -> play C & Am chords
- Introduce F chord
- Show Members the F Chord by playing it yourself
- Play "Make New Friends" to demonstrate F Chord because it is a song played with only the F Chord
- Explain verbally where chord is by using terms: fret and strings
- 1st finger on 3rd string, 1st fret and 2nd finger on 1st string, 2nd fret
- Then go around individually to help Members who appear to be struggling
- Use F Chord Handout for visual aid
- Include F chord when playing Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer
- Show Members the F Chord by playing it yourself
- Practice singing / playing chords in 2 performance songs
- Focus on Jingle Bells first
- Then Rudolph
- Extra Time: Introduce G Chords
- Last 15 minutes:
- Play songs with each other, write songs, or do coloring page
- Members will help clean up
- C to Am Chord Switch Game
- Members switch from C to Am on counts
- Use same counts as used in strumming game
- If Members are struggling, use as opportunity to review the C chord and Am chord
- Members switch from C to Am on counts
- Practice F Chord
- Strum through “Make New Friends” which only involves F chord
- Play songs
- Members can play C, Am, And F chords on sheet
- C Chords = highlighted yellow
- Am Chords = highlight pink (sometimes green)
- F Chords = highlighted green
- Members can play C, Am, And F chords on sheet
- Strumming
- Frets
- Chords
- C, Am, F, G Chords
- Ukulele Tuner
- 15 Tuned Ukuleles
- Chairs
- Ukulele Song/Handout Binder
- Pencil Bag (#2 pencils)
- Half of class taught in Learning Center (large room); other half taught outside with extra supervision
- Attendance: 10 Members
- Sometimes members will need fun incentive
- For example: say, “If you all are well behaved and are respectful, for the last 10 minutes of the lesson, we can play musical chairs to ukulele music.”
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Lesson 5: Uke'an play G Chords
Lesson Date: Friday, Dec 9th, 2016
Course: Ukulele Instruction
Lesson Title: Uke’an Play G Chords
Level: Intermediate
Arrival: 2:40 (for tuning & set-up)
Lesson Duration: 3:00 - 4:00
Lesson Objectives:
Course: Ukulele Instruction
Lesson Title: Uke’an Play G Chords
Level: Intermediate
Arrival: 2:40 (for tuning & set-up)
Lesson Duration: 3:00 - 4:00
Lesson Objectives:
- Review rules of class/handling of ukulele
- Review F, C, Am Chords
- Introduce G Chord (Advanced Chord)
- Members will strum all the way through two performance songs playing chords (if they can’t play G, have member play C)
- Practice for Performance
- Arrive 20 minutes early to tune ukuleles
- Print out sheet with 4 chords to hang up in front of class
- Print out G Chord Handout
- Bring C, Am, and F Chord Handouts
- Introduction:
- Take roll call
- Students claim ukulele bags
- 1# Rule: “Don’t touch the tuners”
- Review C, F, Am Chords:
- Play the C to Am to F switching game
- Class sing/strum along for 2 songs -> play C & Am chords
- Introduce G Chord
- Show Members the G Chord by playing it yourself
- Explain verbally where chord is by using terms: fret and strings
- 1st finger on 2nd string, 2nd fret, 2nd finger on 4th string, 2nd fret, and 3rd finger on 3rd string, 3rd fret
- Use G Chord Handout for visual aid
- Then go around individually to help Members who appear to be struggling
- Practice singing / playing chords in Jingle Bells
- Organize members in groups of 3 to perform for the class
- Time: 10 minutes to prepare
- Go around to help when groups need it
- Encourage students to play the chords in songs
- Groups of 3 have mini performance together
- Groups come together to perform song as a class
- Organize members in groups of 3 to perform for the class
- Practice singing / playing chords in Rudolph
- Practice playing the chords without singing
- Add singing when chords sound good
- Extra Time: Play other songs in the song binder
- Last 15 minutes:
- Play songs with each other, write songs, or coloring page
- Members will help clean up
- C to Am to F Chord Switch Game
- Use counts to switch between chords
- If members are struggling, use an opportunity to review certain chords
- Practice F, G, Am, C Chords
- Members have to show Team Member all 4 chords to choose what song to play next, be leader in ukulele term hangman, choose song to play, or be in charge of music in musical chairs (incentive ideas)
- One member demonstrates chords at a time
- Play songs
- Students can play C, Am, F, and G chords on sheet
- C Chords = highlighted yellow
- Am Chords = highlight pink (sometimes green)
- F Chords = highlighted green
- G Chords = highlighted blue
- Students can play C, Am, F, and G chords on sheet
- Strumming
- Frets
- Chords
- C, Am, F, G Chords
- Ukulele Tuner
- 15 Tuned Ukuleles
- Chairs
- Ukulele Song/Handout Binder
- Pencil Bag (#2 pencils)
- Taught in Learning Center (large room)
- 7-8 Members present
- If some Members are struggling to physically play the G Chord and are getting frustrated, suggest they go and master Am, C, and F Chords instead
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lesson 6: Uke'an play songs
Lesson Date: Friday, Dec 16th, 2016
Course: Ukulele Instruction
Lesson Title: Uke’an Play Songs
Level: Intermediate
Arrival: 2:40 (for tuning & set-up)
Lesson Duration: 3:00 - 4:00
Lesson Objectives:
Course: Ukulele Instruction
Lesson Title: Uke’an Play Songs
Level: Intermediate
Arrival: 2:40 (for tuning & set-up)
Lesson Duration: 3:00 - 4:00
Lesson Objectives:
- Review rules of the class/handling the ukulele
- Review C, Am, F, & G chords
- Members will learn how to play through 2 performance songs while playing at least 1 chord
- Members will go through both performance songs back to back without Team Member
- Practice for performance
- Members may enjoy ukulele coloring pages at end of lesson
- Arrive 20 minutes early to tune ukuleles & set up
- Print out extra copies of performance songs & chord sheets
- Print out ukulele coloring pages
- Use coloring supplies from Club
- Introduction:
- Take roll call
- Students claim ukulele bags
- 1# Rule: “Don’t touch the tuners”
- Review Chords:
- Go through chords & ask who remembers
- Work one on one if members are confused
- Practice singing / playing chords in Jingle Bells:
- Hum to song while strumming ukulele
- Group will sing together
- Encourage members to play the chords in songs (or at least C chord)
- Practice singing / playing chords in Rudolph:
- Practice playing the chords without singing (hum instead)
- Add singing when chords sound good
- Group will sing the Spongebob F.U.N. song:
- The Spongebob coloring page will go with the theme
- Ukulele Coloring Pages:
- Members can choose to either color or practice ukulele
- Extra Time: Members can practice chords or write own song
- Play songs
- Students can play C, Am, And F chords on sheet
- C Chords = highlighted yellow
- Am Chords = highlight pink (sometimes green)
- F Chords = highlighted green
- G Chords = highlighted blue
- Students can play C, Am, And F chords on sheet
- Ukulele Coloring Page
- Have fun coloring and use as opportunity to talk to Members to get to know them better
- Strumming
- Frets
- Chords
- C, Am, F, G Chords
- Ukulele Tuner
- 15 Tuned Ukuleles
- Chairs
- Ukulele Song/Handout Binder
- Pencil Bag (#2 pencils)
- Coloring Page
- Lesson taught in Learning Center (large room)
- Attendance: 8 Members
- The ukulele coloring page will help Members learn how to spell “Ukulele”
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Lesson 7: uke'an practice
Lesson Date: Tuesday, Dec 20th, 2016
Course: Ukulele Instruction
Lesson Title: Uke’an Practice
Level: Intermediate
Arrival: 3:40 (for tuning & set-up)
Lesson Duration: 4:00 - 5:00
Lesson Objectives:
Course: Ukulele Instruction
Lesson Title: Uke’an Practice
Level: Intermediate
Arrival: 3:40 (for tuning & set-up)
Lesson Duration: 4:00 - 5:00
Lesson Objectives:
- Review rules of the class/handling the ukulele
- Review C, Am, F, & G chords
- Review each of the performance songs as a group
- Group will practice both performance back to back without Team Member
- Group will perform both songs in front of Club Director
- Arrive 20 minutes early to tune ukuleles & set up
- Print out extra copies of performance songs
- Bring Chord Handouts
- Introduction:
- Take roll call
- Students claim ukulele bags
- 1# Rule: “Don’t touch the tuners”
- Review Chords
- Go through chords & ask who remembers
- Work one on one if members are confused
- Practice singing / playing chords in Jingle Bells
- Group will sing in unison without ukuleles
- Add ukuleles to their singing
- Practice until:
- Members feel confident with the song
- Members are strumming in unison
- Practice until:
- Practice singing / playing chords in Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer
- Group will sing in unison without ukuleles
- Add ukuleles to their singing
- Practice until:
- Members feel confident with the song
- Members are strumming in unison
- Practice until:
- Perform both songs back to back
- Encourage Members to perform for you as if you were the audience
- Group will perform both songs back to back in front of Club Director
- If Club Director is busy, perform in front of a parent or a handful of Members who aren’t in the ukulele program
- Establish how Members feel comfortable performing
- Determine their preferred order of songs
- Ask:
- if they want you to perform with them
- if they want to bow at the end of their performance
- what they want to wear for the performance
- Play both performance songs
- Members can play C, Am, and F chords on sheet
- C Chords = highlighted yellow
- Am Chords = highlight pink (sometimes green)
- F Chords = highlighted green
- G Chords = highlighted blue
- Some Members can play the G Chord, but it is very difficult for most
- Members can play C, Am, and F chords on sheet
- Review Strumming Game from previous lessons if Members struggling to strum in unison
- Say, “Who remembers the strumming game?”
- Strumming Game: Members Strum on specific counts
- “I’m going to count to 8 and when I say the number 8, strum down on your ukulele strings.”
- Strumming
- Frets
- Chords
- C, Am, F, G Chords
- Ukulele Tuner
- 15 Tuned Ukuleles
- Chairs
- Ukulele Song/Handout Binder
- Pencil Bag (#2 pencils)
- Lesson taught in Learning Center (large room)
- Attendance: 8 Members
- Ask if Members feel prepared and comfortable performing in front of an audience. Then ask when they think they need to practice in order to feel more comfortable with performing.
- Reassure the Members that are doing well when they perform. Recognize member achievements!
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