Introduction to Fingerpicking: Playing Melodies on the Ukulele
In this 4-week course, students with previous experience on the ukulele will focus on playing melodies and using the ukulele as a solo-style instrument while learning to read tablature.
Sandra Girouard
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(394)
Star Educator
What's included
4 live meetings
1 hrs 40 mins in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. Students should practice daily. Practice to music is like water to a garden. It's better to provide small, steady amounts daily than to try to do it all at once. Students should practice the song newly introduced, then review any songs from previous class weekly sessions.Class Experience
This class is best suited for students who already have some experience playing ukulele chords. However, older students and those with experience playing other instruments should be able to benefit from the class. Most ukulele classes teach playing chords. This class, however, will focus on plucking individual strings to produce melodic lines. Students will learn four songs over four weeks, and use the experience of playing these songs to develop this skill of melodic playing. Additionally, students will learn how to read tablature. Tablature is a specialized style of musical notation. Unlike traditional notation that is used for orchestral or keyboard instruments (such as trumpets, violins, flutes, or piano), tablature utilizes a sort of grid presenting the strings and fretboard of the instrument, with indicators of where to place the fingers. Because different string instruments have different pitches and quantities of strings, tablatures differ from one instrument to another. Students will learn to decipher ukulele tablature while working on the songs in this class.
Learning Goals
Students will learn to play melodic lines by plucking individual strings on the ukulele.
Students will learn how to interpret ukulele tablature notation.
Other Details
Supply List
- a soprano (20 inches), concert (23 inches), or tenor (26 inches) ukelele. Please note: This course is NOT suitable for a baritone ukelele (30 inches). The instructor will use a 23-inch concert ukelele. - a digital tuner (preferable) or access to GuitarTuna. Like a digital tuner, GuitarTuna "listens" to your ukelele and tells you whether a string is in tune when you play it. In order to do so, it will need access to your microphone (in order to "hear" your ukelele). A digital tuner is *preferable*, but GuitarTuna is a good substitute.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
All learning materials (videos and printable notation) will be produced by the instructor.
Joined April, 2020
4.9
394reviews
Star Educator
Teacher expertise and credentials
Hello. My name is Sandra Girouard. I began teaching in 1989. I enjoy learning, and I absolutely love helping children learn. I have a Bachelor of Music from Westminster Choir College and a Master of Arts from the College of Education at the University of South Florida. I like to employ a variety of learning activities, including movement, singing, and games. I've been lucky to live in many different states in the U.S.A. with my husband and our three sons. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy reading, knitting, and studying Tae Kwon Do. I look forward to meeting you in the classroom!Reviews
Live Group Class
$40
for 4 classes1x per week, 4 weeks
25 min
Completed by 9 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-12
3-6 learners per class
