![]() ![]() ![]() I’m not going to give myself any kind of ‘no prep’ rule like Victoria did, that feels like too much pressure for me at present. ![]() Time-based: One song each Friday for a year.Relevant: I want to build a set list of songs I can perform without visual aids and I want to get over the fear that’s holding me back.Achievable: I’ve accumulated good tools, I believe I can do it.Measurable: Songs are either memorized or they aren’t.Specific: Record a memorized song each week.goals in my Ukulele Bootcamp (part of the free preview), so, I’m going to ‘walk the walk’ and issue myself a S.M.A.R.T. I have worked up such a fear of memorization (no problem with melody and lyrics, but sometimes forget where chords fall when I’m getting lost in a song … this has happened in front of an audience and it is so mortifying). Sometimes I think busyness can be something we use so we don’t have to face our fears … at least I think it is true for me. I’ve wanted to do something similar ever since. She followed through and it made a big impression on me. … and said, “this is my own personal challenge.” Learn the song the week of (no pre-preparing).Posted in All UkulelePlay! Blog PostsĪ decade ago, I watched ukulele vocalist Victoria Vox do an entire year of ukulele covers, releasing one each week for a straight 52 weeks. I personally think 9 is the sweet spot, but if you’re intent on starting younger, I think the above tips will help (paired with a lot of patience and love). ![]() I keep having to remind myself to be patient, and I’ve been teaching kids ukulele for a decade. I’m currently teaching an 8-year old boy with a little diagnosed ADHD … so it is very, very slow going. Some might think this would be more difficult, but it is actually easier the student is only ever playing one note at a time and you don’t have to juggle what two hands are doing with vocals, unless you want to sing along with the melody you’re playing (in this case it is easier to do because the voice supports the melody you’re playing). There are lots of two chord songs (I’ve published three books of them).Īn alternate route is to treat the ukulele purely instrumentally and teach how to pluck simple melodies (Rain Rain Go Away and Ring Around the Rosies can actually be played on the open strings). Move on to two chord songs when he/she feels really comfortable and is ready to move on. By all means, let the child make up their own songs to go with a chord a great move for this stage. There aren’t a lot, but Row, Row, Row Your Boat is a good one for the C chord (also Rain, Rain, Go Away). If you’re going to start young, my suggestion is to do 1-chord songs. On top of that: vocals (because most parents are thinking of singing AND playing the ukulele when they envision their child playing ukulele). Kids need to understand and remember string numbers, fret numbers and finger numbers, have enough finger strength with those tiny hands to fret, as well as the coordination to strum with the other hand at the same time (even a simple thumb strum can be difficult for young kids). There is a certain level of coordination the ukulele requires (in many ways, violin is easier to start on). I know media is full of prodigy stories and tales of kids starting violin at 4, but my personal experience with kids in my ukulele youth choirs is that 8 or 9 is just more doable for most kids (95% or more). Having taught lots and lots of kids … 7 is really just so very young. ![]()
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