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This course introduces students to the ukulele, a portable, affordable, and resourceful instrument that can be used profitably in the classroom. The ukulele can help children learn music theory, approach different musical repertoires and the performing arts in general. Its accessible qualities make it particularly suitable for inclusive education, as it can be used to engage pupils in active, participatory, and creative music-making. It is in fact a flexible instrument, which can adapt to the teacher’s needs, for example by transposing a song into a more comfortable or child-friendly key. Especially for those who do not play an instrument, approaching the ukulele can be useful for putting musical concepts, which might otherwise appear abstract, into practice. For all these reasons, in addition to the pleasure of playing music, it can become a very effective educational tool.
The course is aimed at providing an introduction to the mechanics, structure and workings of the ukulele. Hence, if they aren’t already, the students will become familiarised with stringed, fretted instruments, establishing the foundations for learning other similar instruments, such as guitar, mandolin, and banjo.
While specific techniques and learning outcomes, as identified in the course outline, will be covered during each class, the workshop will be practice-based. In particular, songs and arrangements appropriate to the learning level will be played, together or in small groups, during each workshop. As such, the course emphasizes the importance of critical listening skills and experiential learning.
The course will also advise on ways to make the ukulele even more inclusive, e.g. by helping the child find the right type of instrument, tuning the instrument depending on a child’s hand preference, dealing with disabilities, etc.
Some further notes
The acquisition of theory and technique will go along with the learning of songs and song accompaniments that are consistent with the respective learning stage.
To participate in the course and prepare for the assignment, it is not necessary to already play a musical instrument.
The purchase of a personal instrument is recommended for home practice.
For demonstrations, in order to avoid problems of transposition, soprano, concert or tenor ukuleles will be used in class (standard tuning: gCEA).
Disciplinary competence
Knowledge and understanding: distinguish different types of ukuleles; handle (hold, tune, change strings, etc.) the ukulele; recognize chords and chord positions and play them on the ukulele; recognize and reproduce basic time signatures with the ukulele; perform different strumming techniques; perform simple pieces with the ukulele (solo and in an ensemble).
Applying knowledge and understanding: transpose simple songs for the ukulele; adapt and transpose songs for children of different age; arrange songs rhythmically for the ukulele; learn to use different arranging techniques on the ukulele (e.g., strumming, arpeggio); identify achievable learning outcomes while teaching ukulele to children of different age.
Transversal competences and soft skills
Making judgements: evaluate the suitability of a piece of music for a particular target group; apply known knowledge to new material (e.g., adding ukulele accompaniment to a spoken verse, a theatre piece); stimulate creative practices with the ukulele in a classroom setting.
Communication skills: use the appropriate technical vocabulary (ukulele parts, key, chords, time signature, etc.); play simple pieces with confidence; be able to teach ukulele basics to children of different age.
Learning skills: develop basic techniques progressively; use different material (e.g., tablature, songbooks, chords symbols, video tutorials) to improve technical knowledge of the instrument; be able to independently find additional material to further the use of the ukulele.