6th Grade Ukuleles
Hello Parents/Guardians of JAA 6th graders. The 6th graders are playing Ukuleles this year. Last year John Adams Academy received fifteen donated ukuleles through a website called Donners Choose, and 20 ukuleles from the box top organization which our PSO parents collect. Scholars are welcome to bring their own ukuleles from home for music class, just know that it is the scholars responsibility to keep their ukulele safe and procted.
I have had many scholars express interest in owning their own ukulele; parents have asked what ukulele I would recommend they buy for their scholar. Below is a list of ukulele brands, stores, and books that I would recommend you purchase for your scholar to practice at home with. I hope your scholars enjoy playing the ukulele this year; it’s a great instrument and a wonderful introduction to the strings family of instruments.
We are using Soprano ukuleles which are a smaller size. The Concert ukulele is the same a soprano but it is just a little bigger. You will want to go into a store and see which size fits your scholar best.
Ukulele Brands:
There are many brands to choose from. What I would recommend you do is a little research on the brand of the ukulele that you’re interested in. Many times I find once I’ve done research on a brand I have a better understanding of the instrument and the history of that brand. Also look at what stores sell, sometimes the music store will have a particular liking to a particular brand and they can give you more information about that brand.
The Strum shop: This is a local store located in old town Roseville. The brand of ukulele that the owner has to offer are: Kala, Oscar Schmidt, Ohana, Lanikai, Diamond Head, and Mahalo.
Our donated ukuleles that JAA received last year (2016) are Kala and they came from this store. The owner of the store also included a ukulele case and tuner with our purchase.
Ukulele Books:
The ukulele method book that we are using in class is “Hal Leonard, Ukulele method Book 1 By: Lil’Rev.” This book includes a CD. On Amazon you can purchase this book for as low as $6.51. Below is a link to the Amazon site where I found the book:
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Hal+Leonard+Ukulele+Method+Book+1+By+Lil%27+Rev
Another great ukulele book is: Alfred’s Kid’s Ukulele Course 1. By Ron Manus and L.C. Harnsberger.
I would also recommend going to a local music store and asking the musicians there what ukulele method books they would recommend.
Ukulele Stores:
The Strum Shop: 209 Vernon Street, Roseville, Ca. (916) 787-8786
www.thestrumshop.com
Guitar Center Roseville: 5781 5 Star Boulevard, Roseville, Ca 95678. (916) 748-8787
If you go to Guitar Center make sure you get a sales clerk who specializes in ukulele.
www.guitarcenterroseville.com
The Music Store: 4815 Granite Drive, Rocklin, Ca 95677. (916) 624-0951
The Music Store provides new and used instruments and also give private lessons.
www.musicstorerocklin.com
Kline Music: 2200 Sutterville Road, Sacramento, Ca 95822 (916) 456-8742
The Nicholson Music Co.:
Nicholson Music carries Kala, Kanile’a, Kamoa, Martin, and Cordoba ukuleles.
The Music Yard:
Owner’s name is Jeff Gill. 6668 Lonetree Blvd., Suite 200. Rocklin, Ca 95765 (916) 899-6022
The Music Store:
4815 Granite Dr. Rocklin, Ca 95677 (916) 624-0951