JMUKE EXPERIENCE DESIGN

Summary

273 students will teach learners basic skills to enable them to play the ukulele and participate in
our jam session. They will teach the basic chords needed to play the songs in the setlist created
by the 372 students through chord charts drawn on posters with accompanying explanations
and modeling. Each 273 student will teach 1-2 chords, going over how to read chord charts,
finger placement, and strumming. They will create loosely outlined stations, rotating around
the room every 5 minutes to teach their particular chords to a different section of the room. The
students teaching will rotate rather than the participants, to keep the participants comfortable.
The students will focus on individual attention and time spent with the participants as theyre
able in these station settings depending on the setup and flow of the event.

Rationale

The ukulele can be such a rewarding instrument in that its not too hard to play and a short
instructional period with a few chords can go a long way in setting the learner up with many
songs they can play and sing. Beginning with chords and basic strumming and allowing for
individual preferences and ability levels among learners keeps the experience flexible and
encourages continuing to explore the instrument beyond this one experience. Using chords that
are found in pop songs, folk songs, etc. relates music learning to the type of music learners are
interested in so they can go home and look up chords for their own favorite songs.

I Can Statements

I can play the chords X, Y, & Z etc. (as outlined by 372 students) on the ukulele

I can perform basic strumming patterns on the ukulele

I can accompany singing on the ukulele

I can read ukulele chord charts

I can make music in an informal group setting

Standards

MU:Pr6.1.H.5a Perform with expression and technical accuracy in [group] performances of a

varied repertoire of music that includes chordal accompaniments, demonstrating
understanding of the audience and the context.

Materials

- Chord charts on poster board that are easy to read large font, clear image, colors, numbers,
etc.
- Ukuleles

- Projector? to display charts

Process

- They will make sure ukes are tuned and ready to go.

- They will provide a brief explanation of how to hold the uke and different options for
strumming, indicating that there is no right or wrong way. They will explain that many songs can
be played using just a few chords.

- They will break out into four different sections of the room, with individual posters to teach 1-2
chords each, rotating every 5 minutes. So, by the end of 20 minutes, everyone should know all
of the chords.

- They will explain how to read chord charts and offer up personal modeling of each chord and
will check to make sure everyones getting them.

- They will assess participants during the 5 minute teachings to see if everyones getting them. If
some are behind others, those who are getting it can experiment with different strumming
patterns while they work with anyone who is struggling.

- They will go over chord changes, explaining the end goal of keeping sound consistent as you
switch between chords. Theyll recommend looking ahead and thinking about where your
fingers are going before its actually time to move to help with this.

- Theyll take some time to experiment with simple chord changes so everyone can practice.

- Theyll take any individual questions outside of what weve outlined, and well move into trying
to play some songs during the jam session.

Assessment

Due to the nature of the stations idea of splitting into smaller groups, they should be able to tell
if people are getting it or not, because theyll be close enough to see their fingers and hear what
theyre playing. In this way, assessment will be fairly straightforward. They can also have
questions ready to ask participants to assess whether theyre making progress from this
teaching session.

Adaptations

Making sure that the chord charts are as easily readable as possible can go a long way
large in size, clear, with colors and numbers, etc. Pacing will be important in a setting
like this, so allowing individuals to work at their own pace during the teaching portion
and having easier and harder adaptations for varying skill levels will help keep the pace
comfortable for everyone. If its difficult for some, have them strum slower or less often,
or let them leave out chords that are more complicated. If someone comes in with prior
experience, be ready to adapt to that, as well, by offering up new ways of playing with
strum patterns or chords or figuring out the melody to keep it interesting for them, as
well. In this particular brewery setting, it should be low pressure, so adapting to the
needs and wishes of the participants is key. The goal is to make the experience as
adaptable as possible to the individuals while still