New School Montessori students use ukuleles to further their musical skills
In addition to leading our orchestra and strings programs, Melissa Robinson, former NKU director of strings, is also leading our elementary music program and has introduced a new instrument to the students – the ukulele. Melissa believes students learn music best with an instrument in their hands, saying, “Everything taught becomes meaningful and real. After just one group lesson, students are able to play a recognizable piece. Because of that, they want to come back for more – and so they learn more.”
Melissa challenges and engages the children at all levels with music selections that interests her students. The fourth level students pictured here are playing and singing, The Lion Sleeps Tonight by Solomon Linda.
Some advantages of the ukulele:
- Ukuleles are inexpensive, portable, and pleasant-sounding.
- There is no musical element which cannot be learned on the ukulele. (Students can explore melody, harmony, rhythm, form, dynamics, and tempo.)
- Ukulele also helps with ear-training, note-reading, and theory.
- Students can sing and play at the same time.
- Best of all, ukulele is fun straight out of the gate!
