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Developing Music Literacy
with Ukulele
By Maria Winder, music consultant, The Sound of Music Education
& Trustee of NZ Ukulele Trust
Photo: Trevor Villers
For thousands of children in New Zealand, ukulele learning is opening
up a whole new world of music knowledge and skills.
Music knowledge and skills such as:
• Learning to read ukulele TAB and chord charts and to
strum and pick in a variety of styles
• Developing understandings about keys, chord
progressions and intervals
• Learning to sing and to accompany singing
• Learning to play by ear and to improvise
• Learning about the structure of songs and to write original
songs
• Developing the ability to cooperate, negotiate, encourage
others and participate in reciprocal music learning
• Developing performance skills
Cracking the Code - Reading Ukulele TAB
Each of the horizontal lines in the TAB represents one of the
strings on the ukulele.
Hold your ukulele with the strings facing
you. The top line of the TAB is the A
string. This takes a little getting used to
because it seems like it’s upside down.
The line below the A string is the E string,
the line below that is the C string and the
bottom line is the G string (the one that’s
closest to you when you are playing).
The numbers that appear in the TAB indicate which string to
play and which fret to put your finger on e.g. 0 indicates to play
the open string; 1 indicates to put your finger on the first fret; 2
indicates to put your finger on the second fret etc.
When notes appear one after the other, horizontally in the TAB,
you play them in sequence. The above TAB shows a C Major
scale.
Comparing notation systems
Many ukulele musicians are new to reading music and once
they crack the TAB code they often find it easier to understand
other forms of notation e.g. C written in ukulele TAB = C note
letter names on tuned percussion and keyboard = C written in
conventional notation.
NZ Ukulele Trust offers performance and songwriting opportunities for
both primary and secondary school students.
See www.nzukulelefestival.org.nz for details.
• NZ Ukulele Development Squad Primary and Intermediate School
students can apply to be part of the Development Squad, a group
of approximately 35 students who perform as part of an orchestra,
playing instrumental arrangements. Applications close 30th July. The
Development Squad will perform at the Auckland Town Hall as part of
the APPA Music Festival on 21st November and on the main stage at
the NZ Ukulele Festival on 1st December.
• APRA Uke-Can-Do-It Songwriting Competition has 3 categories:
Primary, Secondary Students and Adults (so teachers can enter too!)
Winners receive cash prizes and are invited to perform at the NZ
Ukulele Festival. The overall winner will also receive a recording prize
from MAINZ.
• Ukequest encourages students to develop solo and group
performance skills. Ukequest is a covers competition for Intermediate
and Secondary School students. Groups must feature the talents of at
least one ukulele player.
• Kiwileles is the famous NZ Ukulele Trust massed schools orchestra.
Over 2000 children from 117 schools in Northland, Auckland and
Waikato have registered this year. The registration cost of $110 per
school includes the 2012 Kiwileles Songbook and CD, 2 workshops for
teachers, 6 regional rehearsals and the opportunity to participate in the
Kiwileles performance and other activities at the NZ Ukulele Festival.
Take up the challenge. Go to www.nzukulelefestival.org.nz and
encourage your students to get involved. The ukulele is fun and a truly
happy musical experience for both teachers and students alike.
14 Random Notes Musical Instrument Specialists since 1888