Do you love teaching ukulele to your students? I’ve been teaching the instrument for 15+ years and love watching my students develop their skills and become confident musicians. Like many of you, we begin with the basics:
- How to hold the instrument
- How to strum the instrument
- Knowing the different parts of ukulele
- Learning the strings of ukulele
- Performing strumming patterns on the instrument
We begin using familiar folk songs we’ve learned in music class, but one of the things that makes ukulele so enjoyable for my students is the opportunity to play music they know and love. Finding popular music that is accessible for students on the ukulele can be a challenge, but luckily for you, I have a list of 50+ songs for ukulele that are accessible for beginner students. And the best part? I’ve made sure the songs are child-friendly and appropriate for school.
The majority of the songs are in the key of C and use chords like C, F, G, Am although I’ve included some additional chords like C7, D7, and Em for those students who may be ready for that additional challenge. I always encourage my students to do what they can and add the more challenging skill as they become more comfortable. For some students, just strumming one chord and holding the instrument properly may be the challenge, while others move effortlessly between chords and need something more.
Looking for more ideas for teaching ukulele in elementary or middle school? Be sure to check my other blog posts below.
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