Everyone has something they wish they could do. For me, I have always wished that I could play an instrument. For as long as I can remember, I have always felt envious whenever anyone has been able to show their musical talent. With the Network Learning Project (NLP) that we are going to be taking part in, I feel like this is the perfect opportunity to really try to learn an instrument.

To keep with this idea of wanting to play an instrument, I am making my goal: “I want to be able to play ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ by Elvis Presly on the ukulele”. Already, I am starting to explore some websites and resources to achieve this. One of them is Ukutabs, a website with diagrams and representations of the different tabs which are used to create the notes on the ukulele. I will be using this site to familiarize myself with the basics of playing. I am excited to see where this journey will take me, and if I will finally be able to show off some musical talent of my own. One of the biggest pros of this website is that it shows not just the tabs that are needed to play the song but also can make the sound it's supposed to make. One thing that was not the best about the website is the lack on human interaction within it. 

As I begin this journey, I think back to Bransford, and I know that I want to do more than just “learn” to play the instrument UNDERSTAND how to play and will continue to research more resources that will facilitate the understanding process while not relying on pre-existing knowledge, which, given my entire lack of experience, would only be detrimental. 

References:

Bransford, J., Brown, A.L. & Cocking, R. R. (2000). How people learn: Brain, mind, experience and school. National Academy Press.

UkuTabs. (2022, September 1). Ukulele chords diagrams & ukulele fretboard • ukutabs. UkuTabs. https://ukutabs.com/ukulele-chords-diagrams/