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
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.