Music notation software can be an incredibly useful tool. Creating arrangements, multiple parts, printing, sharing, transposing... these are all things that can be made more efficient and professional-looking with the right notation program. So which is the best notation program for ukulele teachers or composers?

There are many notation software programs and score software that can accommodate cr...

Practically everyone's on social media these days. How do we best promote your online music lessons on social media? There’s a lot to learn but we’ve got a few ideas to help get you started thinking about your online strategy with this comprehensive guide to social media strategies for online music teachers.

Whether it’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or elsewhere, we’re checking in, catching up...

Everyone’s talking about alternate tunings on ukulele. But can we bring them into the classroom to use with our students? You bet!

Alternate tunings are a hot topic these days. James got us excited in mid-2020 when he shared his cool BEBE tuning and made the case for jumping into the alternate tuning universe. There’s a lot to be said for exploring different musical ideas and concepts! 

The i...

Last month we got the conversation started around using breakout rooms in our virtual classroom platforms. This month, we have a few more ideas that you can test out with your students. Let's jump right in!

This post was written by Cynthia Kinnunen, a music educator in Guelph, Ontario and part of Uketropolis, online ukulele lessons for all.

Team or Partner Challenges

Don't just send your st...

James Hill interviews Ukulele Funbook author Zsolt Schäfer on the Uketropolis Podcast: click here to listen!

We’ve all been working hard to manage through this pandemic. As a teacher and a parent, I have found myself challenged regularly to keep my students and my own kids learning and growing. Now might be just the right time for a little creative break and we’ve got just the thing to share w...

Music teachers have always been innovative. Now that we’ve been thrown online for much of the past year, we’ve been trying to figure out how to create opportunities for musical engagement with our students in virtual settings.

One opportunity that has emerged – and continues to evolve – is breakout rooms. These are possible in several conferencing platforms being used, for example Zoom and Goo...

Jazz ukulele might feel out-of-reach for many students, especially those who are just starting out, perhaps with an online beginner's course for ukulele. But is there a way for us to enjoy the magic of ukulele jazz chord progressions without turning our fingers into a Twister game? The answer is YES with the magical G minor (Gm) chord!

When we discover an easy lesson that has students making c...

Whether we’re trying to get a room full of 11-year-olds to belt out Rocky Mountain, or coax a group of adults to join in with Up Above My Head, some of the same activities and approaches can help! 

Our students have no problem strumming and picking but how can we encourage our more reluctant students to let loose and sing?

There were some great ideas discussed in October's interactive JHUI Li...

A selection of calming ukulele songs designed to soothe and relax! We all know that music has a lot of power. It can influence our mood, our mental health, our physical well-being, improve brain function, strengthen motor skills… the list goes on and on. As teachers and leaders, we see these benefits in our ukulele lessons and communities every day.

By Cynthia Kinnunen

These days, we’ve got m...

You’re working harder than ever to bring learning to your students, whether in physical classrooms or online. You’re finding new ways to engage and interact with your students. But one challenge we all face is how to keep our students learning and practicing between classes or le...