The Folk Music Experience - Learn to Play the Ukulele!

This course combines playing traditional folk music with the study of the contexts in which folk music has evolved. For this quarter, we will do something a little different and teach students to play the ukulele, as well as study the music that is played on the ukulele in a number of different musical genres. Students will be expected to participate in discussions on readings assigned during the first five weeks of the course. The class will choose several tunes to practice together over the course of the quarter. In addition, each student will also be asked to introduce one song to the class that enriches our knowledge of folk music or the context within which folk music has been written and performed. We will encourage, but will not require, that these songs come from music related to the ukulele, and we will have several ukes on hand for students to play or use in learning to play the ukulele. Students will write a short research paper that forms the basis for their presentation on the song and its context. Students will also be responsible for learning and practicing the songs that are presented to the class, including practice in small groups. Students are encouraged to gain practice at playing one or more folk music instruments during the course and are invited to join the course even if they are beginners at playing an instrument or if they prefer to just sing.