Ukulele Adventures for Beginners

Sandra Girouard

Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(385)

In this ongoing class, students learn a new song each week to play on the ukelele while learning to change chords

Class Experience

Beginner Level

This course is for students who are new to learning to play the ukelele. In each class, we will practice playing, learn a song, and review topics related to instrument care and reading music. In each weekly class meeting, students will learn two chords that they will use to play a song. We will learn one new song each week in addition to reviewing songs from previous weeks.

Songs for this class come from the repertoire of world folk music. Here is a sample of the songs to be used in...

Students who attend and actively participate in class will: 
 - review the names of the parts of the ukelele.
 - practice properly holding and care of the ukelele.
 - play multiple chords on the ukelele over the course of our meetings. 
 - accompany songs on the ukelele using two different chords, with chords constructed using one or two fingers.

Sandra Girouard has been a teacher for over 30 years. She first became curious about the ukulele in 1997, after attending an Orff-Schulwerk conference and meeting music teachers from Hawaii. She came home, bought a soprano, concert, and baritone ukulele and never looked back. Ms. Sandra is a Level 3 JHUI certified teacher through the James Hill Ukulele Initiative (https://www.uketropolis.com/jhui).  In addition, Ms. Sandra holds both a Bachelor of Music degree and a Master of Arts in Education.

Homework Offered
Students are encouraged to practice new songs daily and review songs from previous class sessions.
Assessments Offered
Grades Offered

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.

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. **For learners in this age range, I recommend that parents handle tuning instruments.** Instruction on tuning is not provided as a part of this class. 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.

Songs for this class come from the repertoire of world folk music.

Practice materials, including chord charts, song sheets, and any video or audio files, are generated by the instructor and provided after class.

Available times

Pacific

Table of available sections

Meet the teacher

Sandra Girouard

Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(385)

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...