The ukulele is experiencing an unprecedented growth in popularity with students of all ages. It’s the perfect introduction to fretted instruments for younger students, and a great way to attract older students to music participation.
CMI’s Ukulele Ensemble is the first course to present the Ukulele in an ensemble-based, blended learning class format. Like all Consonus instrumental courses, group music learning, solo repertoire, and multi-part arrangements of original and traditional songs are emphasized. This courseware is perfect for students from elementary school age to adult learners. A video based teacher training component, along with perfectly paced lesson plans, and online videos detailing every lesson topic, exercise, and performance piece insures great outcomes for beginning and experienced ukulele instructors.
The course consists of 22 lessons designed to be taught in a typical semester. Basic technical skills are introduced including single note playing, various strumming patterns in 3/4 and 4/4 time, and numerous open position chord forms. Reading skills progress from rhythmic tablature to standard notation.
Course repertoire includes duo, trio, and four part ensemble arrangements as well as numerous exercises, musical examples, solo pieces and lead sheets.
Included in course:
- Ukulele Ensemble Beginner Level Student Workbook
- 6-month subscription to the Consonus Online Learning Site with related online course content. Every exercise, solo, and ensemble piece is presented in its own review and/or practice video demonstrated by the author utilizing rhythmic audio backing to develop student timing and ensemble playing skills. Online content mirrors the Course Lesson Plans and Student Workbook. Non-lesson related videos cover topics such as stringing and ukulele care.
- Instructor development and teaching aids:
- Full lesson plans
- Videos suitable for classroom demonstration and instruction
- Supplemental teacher training videos which will help you get your class started right and progressing with topics including: How to teach a blended learning course; Layered learning techniques for differentiated learning; Ensemble rehearsal techniques and more.
- Access to teacher community forums with useful discussions and advice on course related pedagogy ideas, repertoire, supplemental material and more.
- Optional teacher training workshops. Attend a CMI summer teacher training workshop taught by Abe Lagrimas and CMI staff instructors.
