Hi everyone, Louis here! I am so excited to be able to introduce our new Ukulele course into schools from September 2021! We have been teaching music in schools for over 10 years now and this next academic year will be the first-time pupils will have the opportunity to learn a stringed instrument with us. Plus, with the new model music curriculum being released by the Department For Education for 2021, we have catered the courses so that it hits key areas and targets within this guidance document.
Junior Jam’s ukulele is course is split into KS1 (Lite Level 1) and KS2 (Level 1) lessons, with more advanced lessons available for the pupils once they complete these. It’s really important to us that not only should the pupils learn to play the new instrument, but that they are able to play songs and melodies they recognise and are popular today!
KS1 pupils will learn all about where Ukuleles come from and how to correctly hold and play them. They will use their rhythmic skills they will have already picked up with Junior Jam to be able to play as an ensemble and as a soloist, as well being able to create a rhythm and pitch patterns. Not only will they learn some classic nursery rhymes like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Row Your Boat but also some modern favourites like Baby Shark!
KS2 will similarly learn about the origins of the instrument and how to play it but will be pushed to include chords in their playing as well as melodies. They will learn how to read ukulele music with tablature and with that play popular songs from The Beatles to Moana. With enough practice, half the pupils could play the chords and the other half play the melody of a song, creating their own ukulele orchestra!
We think it’s really important that pupils enjoy their music lessons in school, and the ukulele course is aimed at doing that. Not only will it expand their musical knowledge and they will be well on their way to becoming musicians in no time!