en:didaktik:instrumente

The main concern with any ukulele should be intonation. A ukulele that cannot stay in tune with itself is basically useless.

Philip Tamberino1)

Sizes

The two most common choices for classroom instruments are the soprano and concert size ukuleles. Either size can be used very successfully to teach basic playing skills. If you have the ability to spend a little bit more per instrument there are some reasons to consider choosing the concert size:
— Because of the slightly increased body size, the tone and resonance of a concert ukulele are usually superior to that of a soprano.
— Since the strings flex less the intonation of the concert instrument is generally more consistent and stable.
— Students with larger hands, or less dexterity, may be unable play the soprano successfully. Although soprano may work well up to about 5th grade, by middle school you will have some students who will physically outgrow the instrument. For that reason you may wish to have at least a few concert size instruments in your classroom set.
— Concert size is not too large and will work for smaller students as well. You cannot go wrong by purchasing ukuleles in this size.

Marty Gross2)

One of the distinct advantages of a school ukulele program is that the instrument does not require special sizing for students of different ages. The soprano ukulele was once simply „the ukulele,“ before larger sizes were invented, and is played by children and adults alike all over the world. The fact that most soprano ukuleles have exactly twelve frets is perhaps the most advantageous for the music classroom, given the twelve tones of the chromatic scale (the last fret is the octave).

Philip Tamberino3)

I personally prefer concert-sized instruments for the classroom. They're a nice balance of sound with good projection and a comfortable size for most students, regardless of age.

Paul MarcheseClassroom Ukulele Recommendations

Linear or Reentrant

The authors strongly recommend the use of low-fourth-string tuning (referred to here as "linear" tuning) in which the fourth string is replaced with a thicker string and tuned down an octave … This creates more opportunities for students to play in harmony (accompaniment parts often extend into the low-fourth-string range), clarifies the structure of scales and chords, and puts more repertoire at students' fingertips.

James Hill, Chalmers Doane4)

Tuning

Unless students have gained independence in tuning their instrument, the teacher will need to take responsibility for making sure that all ukuleles are in tune … An experienced teacher can accurately tune three to five instruments per minute.

James Hill, Chalmers Doane5)

Care and Keeping

Consider installing instrument hangers on a wall so that ukuleles are kept off the ground but are easily accessible. … A sense of responsibility for one's instrument can be encouraged from an early age and reinforced at any stage! Simple things like playing with clean hands and changing strings occasionally will greatly help to maintain the quality and playability of an instrument.

James Hill, Chalmers Doane6)

I store my ukuleles in cases all summer, so as I begin to set up my room, checking each instrument is really important. I want to make sure they are in good playing condition for my students. As I take out each instrument, I check it over carefully. I make sure that the strings are good, the tuning pegs and bridge are in great condition, and there is no damage to the body of the instrument. … Whether you have a few or a class set of ukuleles, I highly recommend that you label your ukuleles. … I highly recommend that you assign each student a specific ukulele. It gives that child ownership of the instrument and helps you track the usage of that instrument over time.

Jennifer Bailey7)


1)
Tamberino, Philip: Uke Can Do It! Developing Your School Ukulele Program. Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield. 2014, 10
3)
Tamberino, Philip: Uke Can Do It! Developing Your School Ukulele Program. Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield. 2014, 37
4)
Ukukele in the Classroom. Teacher Edition, t. 1. Chrystal Lake Media 2009, p. ix
5)
Ukukele in the Classroom. Teacher Edition, t. 1. Chrystal Lake Media 2009, xi
6)
Ukukele in the Classroom. Teacher Edition, t. 1. Chrystal Lake Media 2009, xii