Strum, Strike, Sing & Play: Artfully Adding Ukulele in the General Music Classroom

Bring the joy of ukulele playing to your classroom with this unique publication from Kate Hagen and Sarah Fairfield! Strum, Strike, Sing and Play is an ensemble-based ukulele book. The ukulele has been rediscovered in the past few years, as a fun, affordable, and versatile instrument, which fits well across many musical styles.
This publication is not a typical ukulele teaching method or a technique book; rather it is a compilation of orchestrations featuring the ukulele. The arrangements in this book provide students with the opportunity to practice ukulele skills within the context of a larger ensemble - much like a band or orchestra. Teachers with only a limited number of ukuleles will find this publication particularly useful because the lessons feature multiple ways for students to participate in the performance of each piece. As the title suggests, the students have the opportunity to sing, say, dance, or play their way through these brilliantly arranged pieces. The orchestrations are flexible enough to fit the needs of any classroom, allowing the teacher to leave out parts or change the instrumentation.

Each lesson outlines a suggested teaching process based on the Orff-Schulwerk model. Students learn through the process of imitation, exploration, and improvisation--the foundational elements of the Orff approach. In each lesson, students are encouraged to sing, say, dance, or play. The active approach of this resource will help students develop a thorough understanding of musical concepts.

The ensembles in this book are appropriate for day to day teaching as well as performances. The lessons represent a "seed" of an idea with the intention that educators will cultivate the repertoire to fit their environment. Each lesson should be adapted, changed, or molded to fit your students' needs.

Songs and Lessons:
Hill n' Gully Rider; Four White Horses; Mary Ann; Pay Me My Money Down; Tingalayo; Linstead Market; Shake the Papaya Down; Bassez Down; Scrapin' Up Sand; Sweet Guava Jelly; Uke Can't Scare Me; Create a Musical Loop

Digital Files:
Included in the purchase of this book are digital files that contain PDFs of song lyrics and enlarged chord charts to aid in student learning. The web address from which the files can be downloaded is included in the book. The authors grant permission to those who purchase the book to print and project these visuals in their classroom(s) as needed. An index of the PDF files included is available at the end of this book.