Lets put the You in Ukulele, an adult centered music course

Curriculum developed by Kevin Kareckas, July 2014

kevinfrommaine.com

Overarching goals:
- Adult learners will develop motivation in pursuing music as a hobby
- Students will be able to tune and play simple songs in a group setting
- Students will know brief history of the ukulele
- Transfer of knowledge and community will extend beyond the class setting
Field of study:
The pedagogy for this unit is grounded in music education. The focus is to
provide adult learners with a positive musical experience using the ukulele as a medium.
Kathryn Roulston, a professor at the University of Georgia, stated that "It's never too late
to learn" on the topic of music education as it relates to adult learners during a keynote
speech (Pearshall, 2009) That said, the specific focus of this course aims to establish a
fun and approachable learning community that is founded with the goals of the students
themselves. The course has been crafted with the philosophy that the best ukulele player
is the one having the most fun. The lessons will create a framework that will encourage
the learners to incorporate their own musical interests into the curriculum.
Student led music selection will aid in motivating learners to remain optimistic
and excited in their approach to music. In a study that drew connections between popular
music and music curriculum in public schools, Isbell (2007) cites Vulliamy and Lee
(1976) when suggesting that it is acceptable to assume that students will contribute more
knowledge about popular music than the instructor him/herself.
Although implementation of this unit will not always exclude one on one
instruction, research shows that adult learners tend to prefer learning music in a group
setting composed of peers at a similar developmental skill level (Bugos, 2014). The
lessons will be facilitated in a group setting whenever possible to remain anchored to the
overall goal of community development.
About the instructor:
Kevin Kareckas is a musician and teacher with a formal background in
elementary education. Kevin is from South Berwick, Maine. As a young child, he took
particular interest in the organ and trumpet. He began playing guitar in 2002 and has
since picked up the electric bass and mandolin. He started informal study of the ukulele
in 2008 and takes particular interest in how the small instrument can serve as a catalyst
for musical pursuit and community development.
Program of study:
This introductory course will provide an opportunity for participants to learn to
tune, form chords, practice basic strum patterns, transition between chords, and play in a
group setting. Dependent on enrolment, it is also desirable for students to commence
from the course with a group of people with shared musical experiencesin addition to
new skills applicable to community collaboration. Course fee: $75 (ukulele at cost).
You are welcome to bring your own ukulele (BYOU). If so, you will not be charged the
course fee. Please notify the instructor in advance if you are left-handed.

Lets put the You in Ukulele, an adult centered music course

Curriculum developed by Kevin Kareckas, July 2014
kevinfrommaine.com

Course rationale:
Community development
There is a wealth of research on the topic of lifelong learning and extending
learning into adulthood. Formal and informal learning opportunities are shown to
positively influence, create and sustain community (Merriam & Kee, 2014). It is a major
objective of this course to enrich and enhance community through music education.
Instrument selection
Given that the desired impact of the course is to motivate adults to pursue new
skills through the field of music education while simultaneously establishing an organic
community, the ukulele has not been hastily selected as a medium of study. Channing
Palucka former elementary general music and elementary strings teacher at Enrico
Fermi School No. 17 in Rochester, New York, and a current doctoral student in music
education at the University of Illinois in Champaign organizes ukulele ensembles for
several reasons (Perlmutter, 2013).
Perlmutter (2013) suggests that one neat thing about a ukulele ensemble is that it
can include players with little or no experience on the instrument. With just a few simple
chords, a class can make beautiful music together straightaway. The near instant results
of learning a few chords and creating music can be thrilling and encouraging.
I have personal experimented with various stringed instruments at open mic
nights throughout New England. When I pull out a mandolin, people expect to a
performance of technical skill and fast picking; when I pull out a uke, people smile. Over
my past several years of leading informal lessons, I have concluded that the ukulele is a
fabulous medium to achieve a fast learning curve and improve musical confidence in
beginning musicians. Ukuleles are also considerably less expensive and in relatively high
abundance, thus access to curriculum and learning is improved when compared to other
instruments.
Expectations:
The outcomes of the course are directly related to student-motivation. Participants
should arrive on time and be prepared to learn a new life-skill at their own pace without
concern for competing for skill level attainment. Everyday should be fun and full of
smiles.
Required materials:
- Ukulele (a ukulele will provided and yours to keep per the course fee)
- Pencil (for notes)
- Three ring binder or folder (for course handouts)
- Open mind
Optional materials:
- Snacks
- Tuner
- Songs that you hope to learn

Lets put the You in Ukulele, an adult centered music course

Curriculum developed by Kevin Kareckas, July 2014
kevinfrommaine.com

Course outline:
Session one: Tuning and uke orientation
- Participant introductions
- Expectations and group norms
- Brief history of ukulele
- Orientation to instrument
- Tuning
- First chords

Session four: Chord Transitions

- Participant report-out
- Tuning
- Strumming review
- Transitions while strumming
- Applied practice

Session two: Chord formations

- Participant report-out
- Tuning
- Chord review
- C, Am, F, G
- Chords in everyday music
- Applied practice

Session five: Listening and playing

- Participant report-out
- Tuning
- Warm-up
- Playing with recordings
- Jam

Session three: Strumming

Session six: Wrap-up
- Participant report-out
- Participant report-out
- Tuning
- Tuning
- Basic strumming patterns
- Jam
- Applied practice
- Closing
Assessment:
Although there are no formal grading guidelines, students will be formatively
assessed on daily class participation and peer to peer engagement. The class will be
summatively assessed through a recording of the Jam during the last session. Each
participant will be provided a copy of the recording so that he or she may reflect on his or
her musical development since the beginning of the course and in the future. The class
will also review the expectations and group norms, that were established in session one,
during closing in session six as part of a collaborative group assessment of goal and skill
level attainment.

Lets put the You in Ukulele, an adult centered music course

Curriculum developed by Kevin Kareckas, July 2014
kevinfrommaine.com

Helpful resources and links of interest:

Instructional guides for self-study (in no particular order):
- ukeschool.com an interactive online curriculum that covers beginner to
intermediate practice techniques, and place to visit when looking for something
new to spice up your relationship with your ukulele.
- ukutuner.com an example of a resource to use to tune by ear (many other apps
and sites available through a Google search of Ukulele Tuner as well).
- ukuleledaily.com Source for songs, chord chart (see next page).
- youtube.com Seemingly infinite inspiration. See if your favorite songs have
already been covered on ukulele!
- sweetwater.com and at (800) 222-4700 just one of the many sources for new
ukes and accessories (although please consider supporting your local music shop
first!)
Tuning the ukulele:
Standard tuning for the ukulele: George Clooney Eats Apples
Figure 1:

Lets put the You in Ukulele, an adult centered music course

Curriculum developed by Kevin Kareckas, July 2014
kevinfrommaine.com

Figure 2:

SOURCE: Accessed from http://www.ukuleledaily.com/chords on July 8, 2014

Lets put the You in Ukulele, an adult centered music course

Curriculum developed by Kevin Kareckas, July 2014
kevinfrommaine.com

References
Bugos, J. A. (2014). Adult learner perceptions: Perspectives from beginning musicians
(ages 6086 years). UPDATE: Applications of Research in Music Education,
32(2), 26-34. doi:10.1177/8755123314521034
Isbell, D. (2007). Popular music and the public school music curriculum. Update:
Applications of Research in Music Education, 26(1), 53-63.
Kruse, N. B., & Veblen, K. K. (2012). Music teaching and learning online: Considering
YouTube instructional videos. Journal of Music, Technology & Education, 5(1),
77-87. doi:10.1386/jmte.5.1.77_1
Merriam, S. B., & Kee, Y. (2014). Promoting community wellbeing: The case for
lifelong learning for older adults. Adult Education Quarterly, 64(2), 128-144.
doi:10.1177/0741713613513633
Pearsall, T. (2009). "There is no end to learning". American Music Teacher, 59(2), 26-29.
Retrieved fromhttp://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&AuthType=ip ,url,uid&db=aph&AN=44523749&site=ehost-live
Perlmutter, A. (2013). Running a ukulele ensemble. Teaching Music, 21(3), 54-54.
Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&Auth
Type=ip,url,uid&db=aph&AN=91957956&site=ehost-live
Thibeault, M. D., & Evoy, J. (2011). Building your own musical community: How
YouTube, Miley Cyrus, and the ukulele can create a new kind of ensemble.
General Music Today, 24(3), 44-52. doi:10.1177/1048371310397348

Lets put the You in Ukulele, an adult centered music course

Curriculum developed by Kevin Kareckas, July 2014
kevinfrommaine.com

Appendix:
Instructor implementation tips:
Session one: Tuning and uke orientation
- Participant introductions
o Have each student introduce themselves (where are they from, musical
background, etc.)
o Introduce yourself as well
- Expectations and group norms
o Ask the group to generate a list of group and/or personal goals for the
course, and perhaps beyond
- Brief history of ukulele
o A quick internet search can yield plenty of information
- Orientation to instrument
o Overview of basic parts of the instrument.
- Tuning
o It may be helpful to show tuning by ear and by tuner
- First chords
o Starting with C, Am, and F yield fast results
Session two: Chord formations
- Participant report-out
o How has progress gone since the last session?
- Tuning
o Show online resources or how to tune by piano, etc. so students have
access to tuning in all environments
- Chord review
o Do students remember chords?
- C, Am, F, G
o Play a few bars of each chord as transitions are tricky for beginners
- Chords in everyday music
o How does the C, Am, F, G progression relate to music across all genres?
- Applied practice
o Playing in unison
Session three: Strumming
- Participant report-out
- Tuning
- Basic strumming patterns
o There is no right way to strum
o Down, Down-Up, Up-Down-Up is a classic.
- Applied practice
o Group practice

Lets put the You in Ukulele, an adult centered music course

Curriculum developed by Kevin Kareckas, July 2014
kevinfrommaine.com

Session four: Chord Transitions

- Participant report-out
- Tuning
- Strumming review
o Has anyone developed any new strumming patterns?
- Transitions while strumming
o Transitioning while strumming can be like rubbing your belly and patting
your head at the same time; how is the group doing?
- Applied practice
- Differentiated instruction:
o Add more chords
o How is a progression like G, D, Em, C similar to the C progression?
Session five: Listening and playing
- Participant report-out
- Tuning
- Warm-up
- Playing with recordings
o Perhaps jam along to YouTube videos of uke-friendly tunes
- Jam
o Introduce the first jam keeping in mind that it may be quite the jump from
formal instruction to improvisation
o Be prepared to provide tempo (foot tapping, snapping, metronome, etc.)
Session six: Wrap-up
- Participant report-out
- Tuning
- Jam
- Closing
o See Assessment section
o Record using laptop, smartphone camera, tape recorder, etc.
o Upload to soundcloud, facebook, etc (ask whether the group prefers the
video/audio to be a private hyperlink)
o Trade numbers, celebrate with ice-cream
o Group photo
Helpful instructional literature:
Greenberg, M. (1992). The ukulele in your classroom. Music Educators Journal, 79(3), 43. Retrieved from
http://search.ebscohost.com.csc-proxy.libraries.vsc.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,url,
uid&db=aph&AN=9705211079&site=ehost-live
King, J., & Tranquada, J. (2003). A new history of the origins and development of the "ukulele, 1938-1915.
Hawaiian Journal of History, 37, 1-32. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.csc-proxy.
libraries.vsc.edu/login.aspx?
direct=true&AuthType=ip,url,uid&db=aph&AN=11588136&site=ehost-live