Explore the Joy of Music and Art
Discover creative arts, entertainment, and fun for all ages!
Learn Ukulele Basics
Learning to play a musical instrument benefits a child by engaging both sides of the brain and improving memory and problem-solving skills. It helps the child develop confidence and make the connection between effort and accomplishment.
The ukulele is a perfect instrument for a child to master because it is easy to learn, very portable, and encourages the child to sing. It also provides a very smooth transition to the guitar if desired.
Our first class has the following objectives:
Step 1.
Step 1.
Step 1.
We get the students singing together. We start out by singing a song almost every child knows and has sung many times; “Happy Birthday”. We never ask a child to sing alone, just with the group.
Step 2.
Step 1.
Step 1.
We provide each student with a checked-out ukulele. We teach the students how to tune the ukulele. This is an important step so the students will experience a pleasant sound when they play it.
Step 3.
Step 1.
Step 3.
The students will learn two extremely easy chords on the ukulele.
Your kids will be having so much fun, they'll forget they're in class.
And then, their first ukulele song...
Step 4.
Step 4.
Step 4.
They learn to play their first song: “The Wheels on the Bus”. We start out with this song because it only requires the two easy chords the students have learned.
Step 5.
Step 4.
Step 4.
We send them home with the checked-out ukuleles and encourage them to practice at least 30 minutes each day so they can play both of the easy chords and switch back and forth fast enough to play “The Wheels on the Bus.”
Building Blocks for Music
What Next? It's Easy
In the subsequent classes, we practice when the students have learned and learn more chords and more songs. With the ukulele, hundreds of songs can be played with just four chords. As the classes and the home practice continues, the students become proficient at playing many songs and moving between chords fast enough to play them well. We will also ask the students for suggestions of songs they would like to learn and incorporate them if possible.
We Hope You Join Us
Parents are invited and encouraged to observe any of the classes. We appreciate it if parents encourage students to practice at home and give their students the opportunity to demonstrate what they are learning. We give the parent resources to help the child at home if needed.
Strumming moments: A visual journey with us
Contact Us
Better yet, stop by!
Classes are for students age 7-13 and are sponsored by Williamson County Parks and Recreation. We teach at the Longview Recreation Center Center located at 2909 Commonwealth Dr, Spring Hill, TN 37174
Resources
Learn to Tune
Tuning your ukulele is simple with a guide like this.
Learn to Tune (Part 2)
Getting the sound just right is easy when you know what to do.
Our Class Handout (pdf)
Download