What I tried:
This week I focused on setting up my ukulele and learning my first few chords. I used UkeBuddy to tune it using the standard G-C-E-A method, which is the most common tuning style. It took a few tries to match each pitch, but once I got the hang of it, it wasn’t too bad and it was nice to finally hear it sound right. Then I followed this YouTube video to learn the finger placements for each chord and practiced switching between them. After that, I tried playing along to this beginner friendly song, which helped me hear how the chords sound together and made it more fun.
What I noticed/learned:
At first, pressing down the strings felt super awkward and difficult, especially the G chord, but after a few tries it started sounding smoother. I realized how much practice and muscle memory matter, and that even short practice sessions make a big difference if I stay consistent.
Connection to my future classroom:
Learning these first few chords really reminded me about the importance of patience when teaching something new. If I found it tricky to get my fingers in the right spots, students learning instruements, or any new skill, will need time and encouragment too. This also made me think about my Link 2 Practice class, where I noticed kids remebering songs their teacher used for lessons, they were singing them the rest of the day! It showed how helpful music can be for learning, memory, and keeping kids engaged.
After learning how to tune and play the first few chords, I’m excited to keep going and see what else I can learn next week!
