Practice your single string songs slowly at first. Remember to:
Hot Cross Buns
4 2 0
4 2 0
0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2
4 2 0
___________
Practice your single string songs slowly at first. Remember to:
Mary Had a Little Lamb
4 2 0 2 4 4 4
2 2 2 4 7 7
4 2 0 2 4 4 4 4
2 2 4 2 0
Practice your single string songs slowly at first. Remember to:
Smoke on the Water
0 3 5
0 3 6 5
0 3 5 3 0
Mr. McCrea was the winner of a promotion by ukulele maker Kala Brand Music through their Facebook page. Kala Music gave away sets of 40 ukuleles to teachers across the country to encourage the ukulele in the classroom, a value of over $2000. The instruments, called the Waterman, are durable, all-plastic ukuleles perfect for beginners or as a beach ukulele. In collaboration with Mrs. Backus, fourth grade students will soon be able to borrow a Waterman ukulele from the school library for home practice. Thank you Kala Brand Music!
Please like Kala’s page on Facebook to learn more about this wonderful instrument and the company’s many promotions.
https://www.facebook.com/KalaBrandMusic/
Kala ukes are available at local music stores and at many online outlets. Our favorite online string instrument shop is Elderly Instruments in Lansing, MI. Elderly stocks many Kala ukes and has a reputation as one of the country’s finest brick and mortar music shops with A+ customer service and competitive prices. Check out the Waterman series ukes at www.elderly.com.
Essentially, ukes are mini guitars with only four strings. Their size, number of strings, and use of nylon (or plastic) strings makes them easier to play than a standard steel string guitar. They’re not just for hula-ing anymore. The ukulele is even more fun to play when you are learning with a partner. Consider buying two of these and learning alongside your friend or family member.
Ukuleles come in different sizes: (from smallest to largest) soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone. I recommend a concert sized uke for beginners. It’s tuned the same as a soprano, but has a slightly larger body which makes it a little easier to hold and also gives it a bigger sound than it’s little brother. Baritone ukes are another option. Their strings are tuned to the same pitches as the top 4 strings of a guitar. There’s a guitar teacher here in Syracuse who starts young kids on baritone ukes and calls them “4-string guitars”.
There are many well-made entry level ukuleles in stores. Look for one that is made of wood (you’d be surprised how many plastic ukes are out there), keeping in mind that solid woods are more expensive. Machine tuners are another nice feature. The tuners are those little buttons that the player turns to tighten and loosen the strings. Ones that are simple pegs through the instrument’s headstock often slip and thereby loosen the strings. Machine tuners (that look like little gears) hold the tension of the strings better.
One of our favorite ukuleles for beginners is the Makala concert ukulele. West Music has them for about $65. It’s a good quality uke that students can enjoy and play for many years. We have many here at school. West Music is a reputable music store, with competitive prices, based in Iowa.
http://www.westmusic.com/p/kala-mk-c-makala-concert-ukulele-303686
They also have starter packs with a case, tuner etc. for both soprano and concert ukes.
http://www.westmusic.com/search.aspx?tSearch=makala+pack
A wide selection of Kala Waterman ukes are is available at Elderly Instruments, Lansing, MI.
http://www.elderly.com/catalogsearch/result/?cat=0&q=kala+waterman
Fourth grade students in Mr. Engle’s and Mrs. D’Amico’s classes are pictured playing the entire range of ukuleles including baritone, tenor, concert, and soprano ukulele.
Fourth graders in Mrs. Ziober’s class are beginning their ukulele lessons in music this week.
