Excerpt from the BMI Ethnography of Cebu’s Bamboo Ukulele

“The Bamboo Ukuleles of Cebu: A Trailblaze” By Yves P. Cuenza

THE UKULELE BAMBOO INSTRUMENTS

There are different factors as to why a lot of people (both musicians and non- musicians) tend to get attached to playing the ukulele. Mr. Brian Brusas of the Huni group asserts that the advantages of the ukulele instrument include its being small and handy. Moreover, the laid-back perception that it gives does not intimidate or give pressure to the musical ability of the person playing it.

The Bamboo Musical Instruments (BMI) Description Table below illustrates the differences of each ukulele:

The Huni group produces five types of ukuleles. The soprano, concert, and tenor are the most commonly used ukuleles which are tuned on the same key but gives give different over-all timbres. The difference is usually seen on the body size which is proportionate to the sound it gives off – the bigger the size, the deeper and fuller the ukulele would sound. The baritone is the largest among the ukuleles and it has the same tuning with the upper four strings of the guitar. The smallest is the sopranino and has the same tuning with the baritone but is set one octave higher. The price of every bamboo ukulele ranges from P5,000 to as much as P10,000, depending on personalized requests from the buyer.

The shop has been producing handmade bamboo ukuleles. The most preferred species as raw material is locally known as bontong. If a customer wishes to get a bamboo ukulele, they must know the advantages and disadvantages of having one. Mr. Brusas and his team are quite upfront and honest in presenting those terms. Probably the only disadvantage about the sound is that the bamboo material does not necessarily produce the brightest timbre compared to the more traditional materials like mahogany, mango and langka woods. On the other hand, one of the strongest feedback that the bamboo material has been getting comes from foreigners, who say that the bamboo ukulele is more adaptable to climate and seasonal changes wherever the instrument is taken.

A.    Content Standards

1. Demonstrate understanding of the concept of timbre through recognizing instruments aurally and visually
2. Demonstrate understanding of the concepts of harmony through the intervals that constitute the primary chords of major and minor scales in music

B.    Performance Standards

1. Participate in a group performance to demonstrate different vocal and instrumental sounds
2. Perform a vocal or instrumental ensemble using the following major triads (I, IV, V)

C.    Learning Competencies/Objectives

1.  Identify aurally and visually a bamboo ukulele
2. Play the basic chords (I, IV, V) on ukulele
3. Use ukulele to accompany singing of folk songs or popular songs

1. Timbre – variations of sound in instrumental music, melodic and harmonic sound of bamboo ukulele
2. Harmony – basic chords (I, IV, V)

A.    References

1. Print Materials

BMI ethnography of Cebu Bamboo Ukulele

Photos of Cebu’s Huni Ukuleles

Website of Cebu’s Huni Ukuleles: https://huniukes.weebly.com/

2. Audio-Video Materials

Huni Soprano Ukulele: http://tiny.cc/YT-HuniUkuleles-Soprano

Huni Tenor Ukulele: http://tiny.cc/YT-HuniUkuleles-Tenor

       3. Music Scores

“Tao, Tao Po,” Tagalog folk song

B.    Other Learning Materials

1.  Ukulele instruments
2. Basic ukulele chord chart

A.    Reviewing the previous lesson or presenting the new lesson

Show pictures of bamboo handicrafts like bamboo candleholders, bilao, basket, furniture, tray, and bamboo ukulele. Have a discussion on the qualities of bamboo as a tree,  product, and instrument.

B.    Establishing the purpose of the lesson

 Show pictures Huni Ukuleles bamboo ukulele and let the pupils describe its design. Narrate the craftsmanship in the process of making ukulele instruments.

C.    Presenting examples/instances of the new lesson

 Watch the video on Huni Soprano Ukulele and Tenor Ukulele. Let the pupils describe the sound quality of the soprano and tenor ukulele.

D.    Discussing new concepts and practicing new skills # 1

1. Explain the three basic major Show the chord chart of C, F, and G. Play each chord four times(4x) in quarter note rhythm.
2. Introduce the term “strophic” as the term that describes the form of the song where the tone and rhythm are repeated in each verse of the song.

E.    Discussing new concepts and practicing new skills # 2

1. Sing “Tao, Tao ”
2. Practice the chord progression of the
3. Use this strum pattern:

                D D DU D (D-down U-Up)

2/4 C C – C C – C C – G G – G G – G G – G G – C C

C C – C C – C C – F F – F F – C C – G G – C C

4. Divide the class into groups. One group will sing while the others will play the accompaniment on the

F.   Developing mastery (leads to formative assessment)

1.  Play the chords of “You Are My ”
2. Use the strum pattern: D D D DU

4/4 Intro C C C C –

C C C C – C C C C – F F F F – C C C C F F F F – C C C C – G G G G – C C C C

3. Sing and play “You Are My Sunshine”

G.    Finding practical applications of concept and skills in daily living

Prompt 1: In the lesson, what did you like most? Singing or playing ukulele? Wereyou able sing and play at the same time?

Prompt 2: In our everyday life, there are tasks that you can do alone and there are tasks when we need help or assistance from others.

H.  Making generalization and abstraction about the lesson

Let the pupils name and explain the hierarchy of relationships of basic chords.

I.      Additional activities for application or remediation

Watch a medley of Cebuano folk songs accompanied by the bamboo ukulele. Sing and play some of the familiar songs together with the video

1. How many learners earned 80% in the evaluation? How many learners require additional activities for remediation?
2. Did the remedial lesson work? How many learners have caught up with the lesson? How many learners continue to require remediation?
3. Which of my teaching strategies worked well? Why did this work?
4. What difficulties can my principal or supervisor help me solve?
5. What innovation or localized materials did I use/discover which I wish to share with other teachers?