Music Enrichment
after school programs
Guitar Ukulele Drumming
I always like to create a fun environment
when teaching something complex like the Ukulele.
The first week we learn how to hold it, strum it and play an easy song while we
bond with the Ukulele. Over some weeks we add familiar songs with new chord
shapes. We do folk songs where students already know the words and the singing
melody notes like London Bridge & Row Row Your Boat songs. We move on to other
songs like Happy Birthday and finally up to Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
We have a similar instruction for Guitar. Both instruments have the same basic
technique with how the fingers fret the instrument.
The drumming class has us on hand drums,
learning basic drum sticking, playing rhythm games and
exploring exotic percussion instruments every week.
Getting fingers on the frets and strings is a tough chore that we work on every
week so we can remember how to do that to create a muscle memory.
I also provide lesson videos every week in a playlist with items from class that week.
Getting the students motivated is key to helping them have fun and
work it into their everyday life.
On the first day I ask them to keep the Ukulele out of the case and ready to go.
I can provide an Ukulele or Guitar to borrow for the duration of the class.
We also explore stringed instruments starting on Week 3 like the Violin, Guitar, etc.
We get to play it and get to know basic information about it.
By the end of the class,
most of the children can play the Ukulele
and those who are motivated get better results.
These enrichment programs are 8, 9 or 10 weeks long,
depending on the school calendar and
which day of the week is offered.
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I can accept payment through Zelle, Venmo or by Check.
Please email the Enrichment Program Enrollment Form first.
Do not pay until the class has met the minimum enrollment.
You will receive an email update when that happens.
Venmo: @John-WallerDrum
Zelle: thedrumspot@yahoo.com or 925-672-7400
Please contact me if you have more questions.
Click here to download enrollment form
Please download this form, fill out and email to
Fun Drumming & Ukulele
This exciting After School Program will show hand drumming, stick drumming and body percussion.
We also explore exotic percussion instruments and we get to play them. We will also learn to the
basics of Ukulele for a few weeks over that time and students can borrow an Ukulele. and take it home.
This is a hands on class that will help teach music and drumming basics with fun rhythmic games.
We will build our skills over time. There will be a fun, surprise instrument every week.
Guitar Intro & Strings
We start with holding and strumming the guitar. There will be videos that go along with this After
School Program. Students can borrow a guitar and take it home. We learn to do a few warmups like
name the strings notes and Spider exercise but also basic open chords in the CAGED system for guitar.
There are many fun exercises to help us get our fingers moving on the strings and behind the frets. We
will also explore and try other string instruments for fun like the violin.
Ukulele Fun & Strings
We start slowly by learning the basics of the Ukulele especially holding it, strumming and fretting the
strings. We build our skills with easy songs but move on to more chords and more songs. Getting our fingers
just right will take time. There will be videos that go along with the learning and can help students
remember what we are doing in class. Students get to borrow a Ukulele and take it home to play. We also
get to try other string instruments for fun like the banjo.
Drumming Immersion
This fast paced after school program is all about drumming. We start with hand drumming by using words
to learn complex rhythms from Africa, Latin rhythms & more. There will be drumming and rhythmic games
and we get to try exotic percussion instruments from around the world like zarb, tabla and more. Students
receive a pair of drums sticks. We learn to count, play drum sticking rudiments and explore the drum set
history and play it too ! There will be a surprise instrument every week to try as we discuss its percussive
origin.