Page 4 - Level 1 Ukulele Lesson Plans

neck. Can you show me your ukulele’s neck? And this (point) is my ukulele’s body. Can you show me your ukulele’s body?”
“What do you notice about your ukulele that is the same on your own body?” Hopefully someone will point out that the parts go in the same vertical order. The body is down the bottom, the neck is above that and the head is on top. If no one does, then point this out to them.
“Let’s see how quickly you can show me your ukulele’s head.” Congratulate the children who do this. “Let’s see how quickly you can show me your ukulele’s body.” Congratulate the children who do this. “Let’s see how quickly you can show me your ukulele’s neck.” Congratulate the children who do this. Repeat a few more times, making sure to mix up the order. “Part of this week’s homework is to learn these three parts of your ukulele for next week.”
4. Finger Dexterity (3 mins): ‘Dinosaur Fingers’ written by Lucy Milan Davis
Click activity name to open YouTube video link.
“To play ukulele you need very strong and very clever fingers. So now we’re going to say a rhyme to make our fingers strong and clever.” Say the rhyme using the actions below. You can also learn the movements from the video.
One dinosaur, two dinosaurs, three dinosaurs, four, (left hand thumb to index finger, then middle finger, then ring finger then pinkie finger)
Five dinosaurs, six dinosaurs, 7 dinosaurs more. (right hand thumb to index finger, then middle finger, then ring finger then pinkie finger)
And all the dinosaurs go “1, 2, 3 roar!” (hands behind back and then everyone does a big “roar”, making a claw shape with both hands)
NB: the claw shape is important as will help you to encourage children to hold their hands correctly (and not stiffly with fingers too close together) when playing the ukulele. Use left hand first as we will be numbering fingers later in the course and this will keep the numbering consistent.
Ask a volunteer to suggest another animal that goes roar (e.g. lion, tiger etc.) and repeat the rhyme, inserting the name of the new animal (e.g. One lion, two lions, three lions...). Repeat one last time using another child’s suggestion.
5. Tuning (6 mins): ‘The Tuning Song’ written by Lucy Milan Davis Show the children how to hold their ukuleles.
1. Make sure everyone is sitting up straight on the edge of their chairs with feet flat on floor.
2. The ukulele’s neck should be held in the left hand and the body in front of the tummy. If the children struggle to keep their ukuleles up (as sometimes they can slip), they can rest
the end of the body on their legs.
3. The ukulele body should face away from the player and not be tilted – as the children are
learning their instinct is to tilt the uke so they can see it. Instead, encourage the children
to look over at their fingers as otherwise they end up having to stretch their hand more.
4. When plucking or strumming open strings to get a feel, hold the neck between thumb and
first finger where it meets the head (where the nut is).
5. Tell them they need to use the claw grip like from the dinosaur rhyme.
6. Correct children whose grip and posture are incorrect.
“Now everyone, pluck the string closest to the ceiling with your thumb. This is string 4 and the note it plays is called G. Now I’m going to play a G on my tuning fork and I want you to listen. Now I’m going to try and hum the note.” Hum a G. “I’m going to hum again and see if you can copy me.” Hum a G and the children should copy. “What is this note called? And which string plays the note G?”
“Now I’m going to sing a song that is going to help us to tune our ukuleles. It’s going to sound very silly right now, but I promise to explain it to you later. Please put down your ukuleles.”
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