Ukulele for Care

The ukulele is an accessible instrument that requires minimal formal music training and can be integrated into life to improve wellbeing.

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Why this course is important?

This course is important because the ukulele is an accessible instrument that requires minimal formal music training and can be integrated into life to improve wellbeing. This course can be a gateway into exploring musicality and utilizing it for health and wellness outcomes.

After this course students will be prepared to:

  • Understand music fundamentals of melody, harmony and timbre and how they relate to the ukulele
  • Differentiate between four ukulele chords, and apply these chords in the context of three songs on the ukulele
  • Identify ways that the ukulele can be used to support self-care and used to support care for others
  • Differentiate between the different strings on the ukulele and the tuning for each
  • Understand how to search for, evaluate, and interpret online ukulele music

6-10 key topic areas that will be covered in 10 modules

  • What is the ukulele and how does it work?
  • How do you take care of a ukulele?
  • Music Fundamentals
  • How do you play the ukulele?
  • Drills and Skills
  • How do you play songs on the ukulele?
  • Leading/playing in a ukulele group
  • How do you use the ukulele for music care?

Supporting Materials

Students will be provided with a handbook that includes a:

  • Buyer’s guide
  • Songbook & sample songs to start with
  • Ukulele sheet music search guide
  • Ukulele chord sheet
  • Links page of other resources


Your Instructor


C Mackinnon & B Haalboom
C Mackinnon & B Haalboom

Chelsea Mackinnon is a music and health educator and researcher with extensive experience integrating music into the long-term care context. Chelsea holds a master’s degree in music and health sciences, a master’s degree in innovation, entrepreneurship and management in healthcare, and an undergraduate degree in health sciences.

Brad Haalboom is a recreation therapist who completed his undergraduate degree at Wilfrid Laurier University majoring in Psychology. He has been using music as a primary care tool in his recreation therapy practice for many years.

Chelsea and Brad co-created IMHope, which is a social enterprise whose goal is connecting communities and improving the quality of life of community members using music and intergenerational programs. Chelsea and Brad are also sessional instructors at McMaster University where they teach on the topic of music and health within the faculty of health sciences.


Course Curriculum


  Module 1
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  Module 2
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  Module 3
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  Module 4
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  Module 5
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  Module 6
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  Module 7
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  Module 8
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  Module 9
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Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.

Get started now!