JMUke Pre-Jam

Summary: This lesson plan is based off The Axis of Awesome medley looping a I V vi IV

chord progression. I would like to demonstrate how many songs people can play if they know

CM GM am and FM while moving from basic strumming patterns to more complicated patterns.

Rationale: I believe this will be a meaningful experience because I expect the songs to be fun

and relatable. The JMUke shirts will be a visual aid to reinforce the chords used throughout this

medley, and the repetition for the chords will provide familiarity while we escalate to more

advanced strumming patterns. After this exercise the participates will be able to play the melody

of over 20 familiar songs.

Objectives:

a) Student will play CM GM am and FM

b) Students will play 4 different strumming patterns

c) Students will sing and play

Standards:

a) MU:Pr4.1.H.5a, MU:Pr4.3.H.5a, MU:Pr5.1.H.5a, MU:Cn10.0.H.5a

Materials:

a) Ukuleles

b) JMUke shirts

c) Handouts of lyrics
Procedures:

a) I will play My life is brilliant as a demonstration of the C G a F progression with

a basic down strum on each chord change to grab their attention. How many chords

am I playing?

b) Students will play CM as they see my demonstration of it, and then GM am and FM

in the same way.

c) Students will play the chord changes with me, and then I will add the words My life

is brilliant What if we play it faster? Whyd you have to go and make

d) Students will play Avril Lavigne with me, and People killin people dyin. That

doesnt sound like the right style. What if we down strum every beat? *call and

response

e) Students will play the same progression and strumming pattern while I switch to the

lyrics Forever young and then Train. Who knows this song? Sing with me

f) Students will be introduced to the new strumming pattern of D DU DU DU which is

a combination of the first two strumming patterns Just gonna stand there and

Too late to apologize

g) Students will be introduced to strumming pattern D DU U DU, and practice that on

their own. Then I will add the lyrics If I could Lion King And she will be

loved

h) What are some of the songs you remember me singing with this chord progression?

Pick your favorite two and practice playing while singing. As I play through the

handout, play with me when you hear one of the songs you practiced.
Assessment:

a) Are students playing and singing?

b) Can students play and sing their favorite songs with me?

Adaptions:

a) A down stroke on each chord progression will work as an alternative to any of the

more complex patterns