What's included
1 live meeting
25 mins in-class hours per weekClass Experience
US Grade Pre-Kindergarten - 1
Beginner Level
This course is for students with little to now prior experience with ukuele. Come enjoy fun as we begin adventures in learning to play the ukulele. In each class, we will practice playing, learn a song, and review topics related to instrument care and elements of music. Class size is small to ensure that all students have ample opportunities to participate actively and interact with the teacher. Learning activities leverage young children's natural inclination to move and channel energy to support successfully playing. Simple games, songs, and chants will be used to help the students learn naturally and enjoyably. Songs selected for this course have been chosen for their ease of learning and appeal to children. Each song learned will feature a single chord that uses one finger. 2023-2024 schedule of chords: Week of September 4: C7 chord. Week of September 11: C chord Week of September 18: Fadd9 chord Week of September 25: C chord Week of October 2: Fadd9 chord Week of October 9: A minor chord Week of October 16: C chord Week of October 23: Fadd9 chord Week of October 30: Am chord Week of November 6: C7 chord Week of November 13: Fadd9 chord Week of November 20: A minor chord Week of November 27: C chord Week of December 4: Fadd9 chord Week of December 11: Fadd9 chord Week of December 18: NO CLASS Week of December 25: NO CLASS Week of January 1: Fadd9 chord Week of January 8: Am chord Week of January 15: C chord Week of January 22: Fadd9 chord Week of January 29: Am chord Week of February 5: C chord Week of February 12: Fadd9 chord Week of February 19: A7 chord Week of February 26: C chord Week of March 4: Fadd9 chord Week of March 11: Am chord Week of March 18: C chord Week of March 25: Fadd9 chord Week of April 1: Am chord Week of April 8: C chord Week of April 15: Fadd9 chord Week of April 22: Am chord Week of April 29: C chord Week of May 6: Fadd9 chord Week of May 13: Am chord Week of May 20: C chord Week of May 27: Fadd9 chord Week of June 3: Am chord Week of June 10: C chord Week of June 17: Fadd9 chord Week of June 24: Am chord Week of July 1: C chord Week of July 8: Fadd9 chord Week of July 15: Am chord Week of July 22: C chord Week of July 29: Fadd9 chord Week of August 5: Am chord Week of August 12: C chord Week of August 19: Fadd9 chord Week of August 26: Am chord Each week we will explore a new one-chord song. Every year, the song cycle for this class starts over in the first week of September. For example, in September 2023, songs will repeat from the previous year (September 2022) IMPORTANT NOTE FOR PARENTS: Because it is a stringed instrument, the ukelele will need to be tuned for your child to have a successful experience. While your ukelele may have been in tune when shipped, most instruments require regular tuning. Many ukuleles now come with a digital tuner. If you have one - great! Follow the directions and you are set. If you do not have a digital tuner, you can visit a website. I have included links in the learner supply materials. This is a very handy page on which you can play the pitch for each string and then gently and gradually move the pegs until the sound matches. I recommend that parents handle tuning at first. A child may inadvertently turn a peg too far in enthusiasm and potentially break a string. Until your child has some experience, it is best if the parent tunes the instrument. The ukelele is such a fun and accessible instrument. I can't wait to work with your child as they grow in their playing ability and love for music.
Learning Goals
Students who attend all sections of class will:
- learn names of parts of the ukelele.
- learn how to properly hold the ukelele.
- learn to play one-finger chords on the ukelele.
- accompany songs on the ukelele
Other Details
Supply List
a soprano or concert ukulele (23 inches or smaller) a digital tuner (preferable) or parental access to GuitarTuna. GuitarTuna is great because, like a digital tuner, it 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. All ukelele tuning should be done by the parent. It is not advisable to have a young child turning tuning pegs (which tighten and loosen strings) until they have guided experience with a teacher.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
All materials and resources will be provided by the teacher.
Teacher expertise and credentials
Sandra Girouard first became curious about the ukulele in 1997, after attending an Orff-Schulwerk conference and meeting school teachers from Hawaii. She came home, bought a soprano, concert, and baritone ukulele and never looked back. Ms. Sandra is a Level 2 JHUI certified teacher through the James Hill Ukulele Initiative (https://www.uketropolis.com/jhui). In addition, Ms. Sandra hold both a Bachelor of Music degree and a Master of Arts in Education.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$12
weekly1x per week
25 min
Completed by 157 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 4-5
3-6 learners per class