LA PISADA

Lesson 3

Teaching Artist: Juan Manuel Trujillo

SUMMARY

This is the third lesson from the Strumming Through The Americas ukulele course. Students will learn their first song on the ukulele, “La Pisada.” They will focus first on the strumming pattern and then incorporate the melody part to culminate with a full performance of the song.

OBJECTIVE

  • Students will be able to demonstrate the downbeat strumming pattern with a consistent beat throughout the song.

  • Students will be able to use the single strings to play the melody for “La Pisada.”

  • Students will be able to distinguish between the melody and chord/accompaniment parts.

  • Students will be able to perform in collaboration with other students.

MATERIALS

EXPLORE

  1. Ask students: When we play music using instruments (like the ukulele) or sing, what are we making/recreating? (Songs!) What do we call music that lasts for a few minutes and then stops, like on the radio in a car? (Songs!) Explain that we learn music through songs that use notes or lyrics, and often both at the same time. 

  2. Tell students that they will learn their first song for the ukulele course, “La Pisada.” They will learn to play the chord/accompaniment part and the melody part.

LEARN

  1.  Play the La Pisada video, pausing at 0:48. Students will revisit strumming using the pattern from the previous lesson. Allow time to practice as needed.

  2. Ask students to play the strumming pattern as a class and repeat the pattern four times. Instruct them to focus on strumming with a steady beat. As a class band, encourage students to listen to each other and play in unison.

  3. Continue the video from 0:48. Students will hear and learn to play the melody part for the song. Ask: Can you hear and see that only one string is used when a melody is played? While students practice, pause the video at 1:14 to display the order of strings and rhythm for the melody part.

  4. Divide students into two groups. One group will start with the melody part and the other group will start with the chord/accompaniment part. As a class, practice a rendition of the song that includes the melody twice through, which allows groups to switch roles for the second iteration.

PERFORM+SHARE

  1. Perform and record “La Pisada” with one group playing the melody and one group playing the chords/accompaniment. Play the La Pisada - Performance video while recording to provide a backing track and visual reference. Repeat the provided video to allow both groups to perform both the melody and chords/accompaniment.

  2. Share your musical creations at S’Cool Sounds Padlet.