In this class, students will learn to play songs on the ukulele. Activities are designed to allow students both to learn the included songs presented in class as well as transfer those skills to other songs they may seek out independently.

This class presents activities in pursuit of 
 - Skills in strumming chords and playing melodies on the ukulele
 - Internalization of steady beat and accuracy in the realization of rhythmic figures and meters: 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, quarter notes (♩), eighth notes (♫), half notes (𝅗𝅥), whole notes (𝅝), dotted rhythms, and syncopated rhythms.
 - Strength as a solo performer (both accompanied and unaccompanied)
 - Growth as an ensemble performer through experiences playing with accompaniments produced by and provided by the instructor. These experiences will include:
     - monophonic music (all unison)
     - homophonic music (melody above a harmony)
     - polyphonic music (multiple melodies at once, as in canons or rounds)

Instruction methods will include some modeling by the teacher with imitation by students as well as guidance using graphic devices (such as digital stickers and slide show presentations). After concepts have been introduced or reviewed in each weekly meeting, students will be actively playing as a group. While students are encouraged to play individually to receive personal support and guidance from the instructor, no student is required to play alone. It is strongly recommended that learner cameras are on as much as possible in order for the instructor to ascertain finger, hand, wrist, and arm positions. 

Each class meeting will involve a review of the previous class's material, explanation and/or demonstration as appropriate of the target concept or skill of the lesson, and hands-on time with students working on the skill in class. 

Meeting 1: 
 - Parts of the ukulele
 - Playing and rest position
 - Strumming versus playing individual strings
 - Learn chords: F and C7 and strum to accompany a song
Meeting 2:
 - Melodic/picking exploration: Fingerpicking individual strings in parts as part of a song.
Meeting 3:
 - Chords/strumming: G6 and D7 used in a target strumming pattern to accompany a song
Meeting 4:
 - Melodic exploration: learning to play and read notation for a pentatonic scale
Meeting 5:
 - Chords/strumming: G and C used in a target strumming pattern to accompany a song. 
Meeting 6:
 - Melodic exploration: use notation to play a melody based on the pentatonic scale.
Meeting 7:
 - Chords/strumming: combine G, F, and C used in a target strumming pattern to accompany a song
Meeting 8:
 - Melodic exploration: use notes from the pentatonic scale to read and play a melody and harmony part (individual notes, not chords)
Meeting 9:
 - Chords/strumming: review G, F, and C in combination used in a target strumming pattern to accompany a song.
Meeting 10:
 - Melodic exploration: learn to play and read a diatonic scale
Meeting 11:
 - Chords/strumming: use G, F, and C chords in new and more complex combinations used in a target strumming pattern to accompany a song.
Meeting 12:
 - Melodic exploration: Learn to identify and read intervals in a diatonic scale
Meeting 13:
 - Chords/strumming: use G, F, and C chords in new and more complex combinations and rhythmic strums used in a target strumming pattern to accompany a song with the melody based on the diatonic scale.
Meeting 14:
 - Melodic exploration: Use skills to play melody and/or harmony to a famous classical work.
Meeting 15:
 - Chords/strumming: Work on inserting chords into a melodic line to play both the melody *and* the harmony intertwined.

All literature (songs) for the course come from the rich wealth of folk and classical music from around the world, including titles such as:
 - Ev'rybody Loves Saturday Night (Nigeria)
 - Rocky Mountain (North America)
 - Richmond Blues (United States)
 - Acadian Lullaby (Canada)
 - The Flower Drum (China)
 - Auwe Ke Aloha E (Hawaii)
 - We Merry Minstrels (Classical)
 - Au Claire de la Lune (France)
 - Wiegenlied (Germany)
 - Lavender's Blue (England)

Students will also be assigned technical exercises designed to improve music reading, music theory understanding, and facilitate specific skills in songs that are being worked on. There will be a weekly practice log for those who want a formal grade.

Small class size ensures that all students have ample opportunities to participate actively and interact with the teacher and their peers. In addition, small class size allows the class material (meeting topics listed below) to be adapted to the needs of the learner or learners enrolled in the class. 

The ukulele is an easy-to-learn, great first instrument that quickly empowers learners to play independently. But it is also a legitimate instrument in its own right, with a short but rich history and is used to play in a wide variety of styles. I look forward to sharing this exciting world with your learner!