Starting A Ukulele Program
Jane Kennedy, J.P. Robarts P.S.
@jpmusicproject
info@themarrieds.ca
The Mighty Uke!
Why the Ukulele?
Top 10 Reasons to Start a Ukulele Program
1. It’s Economical - It is among the cheaper instruments to play and is not expensive to maintain.
2. It’s Versatile - It can be used to play melody, rhythm, chords, or all at the same time. Students can play and sing at the same time.
3. It’s Rewarding for Beginners - It has a quick learning curve and kids can learn to play and sing a song in a matter of minutes.
4. It’s the Right Size - Its small neck and body make it easier for young children to learn.
5. It’s Portable - It weighs less than a pound and can be carried in cases worn as a backpack. They are also easy to store and take up little space.
Top 10 Reasons to Start a Ukulele Program Cont...
6. It Has a Gentle Sound - It always sounds good even when it is out of tune and has a gentle sound even when the entire class plays.
7. It’s Both a Solo and Ensemble Instrument.
8. It’s Ideal for Learning Music Theory and Ear Training - It is a chromatic, non-transposing, treble-clef instrument and can play in child-friendly keys such as C major.
9. It Has Popular Appeal - It is used in popular music across several cultures.
10. It’s a “Lifetime” Instrument - Ukulele is still relevant in adulthood.
* Paraphrased from Philip Tamberino’s “Uke Can Do It!” pg. 34
Ways to Start Your Program
Start a Ukulele Club
Ask Your Principal
Home and School or Parent Council
Band Aid Grant
Sizes/Styles of Ukuleles
What do you need for your classroom?
Humidifier
Things to Consider When Purchasing Ukuleles
How Much Does it Cost?
Denver Duke, with cloth case (in webstore)
$40.96 (set of 25, $1,024.00)
Kala KA 15 with Rogue Valley case
$105.00 approx (set of 25, $2,625.00)
Tendered price from Long & McQuade
Storage
Classroom Routines/Management
Number ukuleles and cases - Students should use the same number every class.
Have ukulele helpers to distribute ukuleles at the beginning of class and put them away at the end.
Have tuner helpers - In the beginning you will need to tune, but slowly teach them to tune and it will save time and allow the kids to be independent.
Have zero tolerance for playing at inappropriate times - “If you play before I say, I take your ukulele away.”
Resources
Resources Cont...
Warm Up
C Chord Practice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1TWJFDe6fg
A minor Chord Practice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bl8KeGEan1w
G Chord Practice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSiS1phUP6k
F Chord Practice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsQsO1KT_ik
Ukulele Playalongs
One Chord Songs
C Chord Practice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1TWJFDe6fg
A minor Chord Practice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bl8KeGEan1w
G Chord Practice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSiS1phUP6k
F Chord Practice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsQsO1KT_ik
C7 Lime In The Coconut: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvh83QAA7D0
C Hey Ho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvCBSSwgtg4
C min Chain Of Fools: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1On-Er3wYU
D Run Through The Jungle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siY6PMUWr9g
G One Chord Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPKSdf4QplQ
Two Chord Songs
C & F Practice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbBquaOP4Ws
C & Amin Practice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmgsnBDGoEg
C & G Practice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehpzwXX9cgo
C/G You Never Can Tell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fGZNM5xQck
C/G Jumbalaya: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dI_B2m3vQ4E
Em/D Horse With No Name: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEVXwxpqXOY
Dm/G7 Uptown Funk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_w_jB92IX4
Three Chord Songs
C F A Practice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cfmMs5Icf0
C/F/A Thunder: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5DE5Qnn1Zs
C/F/A Stay With Me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJPJiXGl1PA
D/C/G Sweet Home Alabama: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1gwJg4dpxc
D/C/G Free Falling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LI34GpguweI
Am/F/E7 Havana: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pPNtcxyYvU
Just The Way You Are: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjbFwleeAco
In My Blood: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB5dg2XGv_c
Johnny B Goode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEygqXgvuOc
Four or More:
Riptide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAJnrR4AYTc
Wake Me Up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tNG1J2ybgo
Counting Stars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUXAdvr6mxo
All Star: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a02eAHOtjFw
Despacito: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0_b4MOy40c
All Of Me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jgp5eL8c4cQ
One Call Away: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlqINOuqGtc
Believer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fd2mpcpv_E
Hey Ho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUH_XvqmImI
Photograph: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=et1i3KEcZqc
Radioactive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XO9YisL6HBM
Girls Like You: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Az0NNK1xBOM
House Of Gold: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnP7a8eAvsc
A Million Dreams: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPg4_rBDv-I
Story Of My Life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZJ4G5Z7QT4
Stand By Me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNApwA3sdHY
Dancing Queen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yxCIZm-LWw
Tetris Theme Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vMzVVyjiEc
Ocean Eyes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rg1vx2B0qfs
I’m Yours: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7tmCNJZqUM
Old Town Road: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hdgX3DwBGM
Shallow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZXrlrRwct8
Locked Away: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5k0IexJUDY
Stitches: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qdc_hCGEVtA
Old Time Rock & Roll: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTHzqRWiY-0
Surfin’ USA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFfCAxv43TM
High Hopes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad5JNDjVHBE
Happier: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iuk1UqrYUqA
Take Me Home Country Roads: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RemypthFL8Y
Million Reasons: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42zc1964l-wUU