Summary:

After conversing with the 372 students, we have decided to do a group teaching session for the
Pale Fire event. Due to the venue being a restaurant that will most likely have people there that
are not attending the event, it was decided that having stations rotate around we be logistically
difficult and potentially annoying to other restaurant guests. The plan then is to have each 273
student teach 2 chords of the ones bolded below to the group so that they have 8 basic chords
to be used in the songs that the 372 students have chosen to use in the jam session. After
teaching the chords, we will go over a couple different strumming techniques and review the
chords before handing it over to 372 for the jam session. If there is extra time in our 30 minutes,
we plan to allow people to ask questions and review things as needed.

Chords used (bolded chords are for sure being taught):

C
C7
F
G7
G
D
D7
D min
E7
E min
A7
A min
A min 7

Rationale:
The way in which we have planned to teach this was designed to give the learners a strong
foundation for playing the ukulele. It is not a lesson in becoming a master at the ukulele, but
rather a brief overview of the basics of the ukulele that will hopefully inspire a few people in
attendance to continue learning and make music a part of their lives if it isnt already. Our hope
is for this to be a relaxed and fun evening that flows smoothly. Because of our setting and our
age group, our teaching will be more informal than we originally intended with our first plan of
doing different stations to learn different chords. Playing the ukulele doesnt have to be formal,
and we hope that the people in attendance will realize that and appreciate that this is something
they can do one their own or with friends whenever they want and that it will help keep music in
peoples lives.

Objectives:
The participants will learn 8 basic chords that will later be used in the jam session
o C, C7, F, G, D, Dm, Em, Am
o A handout of alternate chords will be available to participants as well
The participants will learn a couple of strumming patterns/techniques to build more
familiarity with the instrument.

Standards:
Anchor Standard 1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work
Anchor Standard 2: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work
Anchor Standard 3: Refine and complete artistic ideas and work
Materials:
Ukuleles
Posters with F, Am, C, C7, G, Em, Dm, and D
Handout
o Below is a link to the Visual Aid handout we plan on using:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bxxtt_yYQSSvWjNjUnBjWU1GTXc/view?
usp=sharing

Process:
First, we will encourage participants to come up to the front and pick up ukuleles, and
handouts with chord charts on them.
We will begin by introducing ourselves, welcoming the participants, and providing a brief
explanation of JMUke as a program/activity, as well as explain the rough schedule for
the evening.
Next, we will go down the line, naming ourselves and introducing two chords each, using
visual aids (posters) and explaining how to play the chords, demonstrating into the
microphone
After introducing the eight main chords, we will explain some basic strumming
techniques, as well as common patterns in various genres.
If time permits, we will review additional chords, chord progressions, and changes for
songs.

Assessment:
As an informal assessment, participants will be asked to play along while chords and
strumming patterns are being taught.

Adaptations:
This lesson could easily be adapted for someone who is more advanced by changing
the chords to more complex ones and looking at more intricate strumming patterns
Visual Aids: