The course is designed for schools, to work as part of the free whole-class “First Access” programme funded by Cornwall Music Education Hub. Whilst having one term per class of free teaching, the school teacher can build confidence by doing the ukulele course alongside the specialist. And the resources in this course provide everything you need to continue teaching this yourself.
Whether you want to create a school ukulele group, run an after-school ukulele club, or use it in delivering the music curriculum, this course has everything you need to continue your school’s journey after the free first access is finished.
To find out more or sign up, email [email protected]
This course is only available to schools who sign up for the blended learning first access programme. During the pilot phase of this project it is completely free. You will have:
- one free term of tuition per class, with a ukulele teacher delivering ten 45 minute sessions
- access to this ukulele course for one year, so your school can use it with other classes
- access for students – particularly useful if your school needs to switch to remote learning. They will be able to log on and learn or practise their ukulele at home.
- MusicEL will be able to send a regular report if required, to show student progress on the platform (which lessons have been completed, etc.)
Course content
This course develops musicianship through Singing, Listening, Composing and Instrumental Performance. With all the songs and chants included in this scheme of work, children will internalise pitch, rhythm, rhyme, and song structure through movement, games, improvisation and active listening. Not only is the course technique-based, equipping the children for progression, it also encourages and develops their social skills, their coordination and their concentration levels.
Playing the ukulele connects people together; it strengthens the bonds of support and trust:
- have your class working as an ensemble
- have your class perform to others in school and parents
- pupils can teach their families how to play and entertain them at home
Music making with the ukulele is:
Creative:
- Improvise and compose plucking patterns using the pentatonic scale
- Improvise and compose strumming patterns
- Re-write words to well-known songs; create new verses
- Experiment with tempo and dynamics for appropriate expression
- Continue playing after the course – start a ukulele club
Collaborative:
- Choose call and response groupings
- Add body percussion or hand-clapping games
- Perform rounds and partner songs
- Start and stop together; follow a conductor
- Take turns to lead and be lead
Celebratory:
- Celebrates songs from different cultures and times
- Gives the class lots of fun and that feel good factor!
- Celebrates all the improvements made, week by week
- Encourages solo playing
Challenging:
- Holding the uke correctly
- Mastering how to pluck and strum in various ways
- Keeping in time
- Reading chord diagrams – standard notation
- Chord fingerings – mastering position and pressure
- Changing chords
- Singing and playing simultaneously
- Learning new songs in different keys and time signatures
- Reading graphic scores
Course Instructors
