Tag Archives: playing music with young children

Best Instruments For Young Children – A “Play By The Numbers” Dulcimer!

dulcimer black + white coloring pageThis simple and satisfying “first instrument” is a lot of fun and  introduces any child or grown-up to the basic skills needed to play any fretted, stringed instrument such as the guitar, ukulele or mandolin.

Play For A Child, With A Child, Or Let The Child Play!

Learning an instrument with a child is a great way to teach them about the learning process.  It can be helpful for a child to see that every person continues to learn throughout their lifetime and how that process works.  Watching you try to play and struggle a bit, then persist, and succeed teaches persistence, patience and determination.  Learning a simple instrument – even with the ups and downs involved – is a great way to bond with a child while building musical skills at the same time!

josef and dulcimerPlay By Numbers

Play-By-Numbers song sheets for the tin can dulcimer or any dulcimer are just as easy as they sound.   Each number corresponds to a “fret”, one of the long spaces you’ll find on the fretboard of your instrument.  To play, push down gently but firmly at the center of each fret and then strum or pluck the string with the other hand.

If the songbook says 2, then press the 2nd fret in the middle and strum until you get a good sound.  Get the picture?  And if you see a “0”, that simply means to pluck or strum the instrument without holding down any fret.

Play By Numbers Songs

Want to start with an easy song?  How about “Mary Had A Little Lamb”?

5   4   3   4   4   5   5    5             4   4   4        5   7   7
Mary Had A little Lamb, Little Lamb, Little Lamb

5   4   3   4           5   5    5
Mary Had A little Lamb,

5        4      4           5      4     3
It’s fleece was white as snow

“Happy Birthday” By The Numbers

Here’s “Happy Birthday” on the Appalachian lap dulcimer.  Numbers for both “Happy Birthday” and “Feliz Cumpleaños”, a Spanish version of that song, are below.

0               1      0      3   2        0           1   0          4    3
Happy Birthday to you.  Happy Birthday to you.

0              7    5          3       2      1                         6     5        3         4     3
Happy Birthday, dear (add their name), Happy Birthday to you.

0             1  0   3  2      0      1   0    4  3
Cumpleaños feliz, te deseamos a ti.

0               7 5  3  2  1   6     5   3  4      3
Cumpleaños felizes, te deseamos a ti.

Have any questions about these instruments?  These are two instruments I really enjoy playing so I’d be happy to answer your questions.  Drop me a line in the comments section below.

Links And Resources

Freebie Dulcimer Coloring Page (Follow Me On TPT for more freebies like this!) https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Appalachian-Dulcimer-Free-Coloring-Page-3863460

Post On The Tin Can Dulcimer
http://www.tinytappingtoes.com/classroom-music/best-first-instruments-for-kids-a-tin-can-dulcimer/

Hear A Dulcimer   
http://www.dariamusic.com/dulcimer.php
Hear A Dulcimer Song   
http://www.dariamusic.com/dulcimer.php
Color A Dulcimer (Online)  
http://www.dariamusic.com/color_Dulcimer.php

 

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Posted in Early Learning With Music, Family Fun, First Instruments, Homeschool Musical Fun, Simple Instruments, Special Needs/Kids of All Abilities

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Best “First” Instruments For Kids – A Tin Can Dulcimer!

bean can instrumentIf you can count, you can play this instrument.

It’s just that easy!

This simple one-stringed instrument made from a humble tin can is a great confidence booster for either young kids or adults who may doubt their musical ability.  Constructed like an Appalachian (stringed) dulcimer, you can play any note up and down the fretboard and sound great!  And check out the “play-by-the-numbers” songs or songbook and you’ll be able to master songs you recognize literally within minutes.  What fun!

It’s Bigger Cousin – The Dulcimer

The stringed dulcimer from Appalachia is a really similar instrument made with a wooden body and a few more strings.  If you’d like to see one, color one or hear one being played, check out the links below. This tin can instrument simplifies it even more.  There’s only one string to play and a long fretboard marked with numbers.  To play it, you read the numbers to the song and push down the correct fret with your fingers.

fretboard yellowWhat’s A Fret?  Don’t Fret About It!

Okay, pardon my pun here.  The frets are the long spaces on the  fretboard.   When playing the instrument, push down gently but firmly at the center of each space – or fret- and then strum or pluck the string with the other hand.

So if the songbook says 3 – 4 – 5.  They press down of the 3rd fret in the middle, the 4th fret in the middle and the 5th fret in the middle.

And if you see a “0”, that just means to pluck or strum the instrument without holding down any fret.

can and picks yellowPick-Ing It All Up!

You might want to pluck the one string with your fingers, but most folks prefer a pick.  That’s a tough piece of plastic shaped in a teardrop or triangular shape used to strum over the strings.  Some picks are softer and some are harder.  If you have a few picks from a music store, try them out and see which ones you like the best.  It not, cut up a milk jug or a similar piece of tougher recycled plastic (like a coffee can lid) and make your own.

What Does It Sound Like?

The tin can instrument is a ton of fun.  Check it out here as we play the first song we learned on it – “Oh When The Saints Go Marching In”.

Links And Resources

Hear A Dulcimer
http://www.dariamusic.com/dulcimer.php

Hear A Dulcimer Song
http://www.dariamusic.com/dulcimer.php

Color A Dulcimer (Online)
http://www.dariamusic.com/color_Dulcimer.php

 

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“Beach In A Bottle” Rattle

This simple, sandy beach rattle makes a great musical craft whether you live near the ocean or are just dreaming of warmer weather and seaside play!

Supplies

beach rattle suppliesClear recycled bottle – any size or shape.

A small amount of sand, salt or sugar.  (You can also substitute rice, couscous or tiny pasta for the same effect)

Funnel

Small shells, pebbles or tiny treasures for inside the rattle

Colorful silk or artificial flowers

Electrical tape (to seal rattle)

(Optional) glitter, colored sand, colored rice

 Make Your Own Rattle

This craft couldn’t be easier.

Save, clean and dry a variety of clear recycled containers and assemble sand, salt or sugar along with a funnel, sturdy tape and other decorative goodies you might want to add to this project.

Using the funnel, fill the container with a small amount of sand, salt or sugar.  Put the lid on and listen to what the rattle sounds like.  Adjust (with more or less sand) until you find the sound that’s most pleasing.

Here’s a hint.  Less sand, salt or sugar sounds and looks better, but feel free to experiment and see what you can create.  When you’re done, seal the rattle up with sturdy tape (such as electrical tape) to keep the project completely child-safe.

Beach Treasures

Once you’ve found the perfect amount of “faux sand”, drop in your favorite tiny shells, pebbles or tiny treasures.  As you play the rattle and turn it from side to side, the small objects will appear and disappear in the sand.

 Tropical Flowers

Although this doesn’t change the sound of the rattle, it’s fun to add a bit of tropical color to the rattle.  Look for silk or artificial flowers from a craft bin or take apart an artificial Hawaiian lei for perfect addition to the fun musical craft.

A Very Quiet Rattle

This rattle makes a soft whooshing sound so it is perfect for children with noise sensitivity.  Several music therapists have commented that these “seaside” rattles are especially enjoyable to the kids who are on the autistic spectrum.

Rattle Away

Don’t be fooled by how simple this little instrument looks.  There are lots of ways to play a rattle – this type of rattle or any other one you might create or find in your musical bag of tricks!

Try some of these suggestions or make up your own ways to play.

Rattle back and forth

Rattle up and down

“Swoosh” the rattle – move the contents around in a circular motion.

Hold in one hand and tap against the other.

Switch hands and try the above.

Hold the rattle at the top and tap the bottom on a desk or on your knees.

Hold the rattle at the top and tap the rattle sideways on a desk or on your knees.

Shake the rattle while dancing or moving.

Play it along while singing a favorite song.

Play it along while listening to a favorite song on a cd player or media device.

Make up your own “rattle moves”.

A Call And Response Rattle Game 

This is a great game to play with kids.  It teaches listening skills, enhances motor skills and is just plain fun.   Best of all it can be done several different ways.  Try it “one-on-one”, with a parent and child, special education student and aide or teacher and student.  It also works really well in a group, such as a teacher and a classroom, parent and preschoolers or homeschoolers and siblings.

The leader plays a pattern and the other (or other) must play that pattern back to them.  Start simple and get more complex.  Trade off and let the student or child make up patterns that the teacher or others must imitate.

Here are three simple patterns to get you started:

Shake the rattle up high twice,

Down low twice

Swoosh it around once.

And stop.

 

Shake the rattle twice in your right hand.

Swoosh it in twice in your right hand

Tap it twice on the desk while holding it in your right hand

Then change hands and repeat the pattern with the left hand

 

Tap it on the desk loudly.

Tap it on the desk softly.

Swoosh the rattle around.

Shake the rattle three times in your right hand.

Shake the rattle three times in your left hand.

And stop – or do it backwards!

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During the month of February 2014, we’re doing a feature on Hawaiian music and giving away a real ukulele as well as Hawaiian pu’illi rhythm sticks.  You can see that related feature here: http://www.dariamusic.com/monthly_song.php

 

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Posted in Babies and Music, Classroom Music, Early Learning With Music, Family Fun, First Instruments, Hawaiian Music, Homeschool Musical Fun, Simple Instruments, Special Needs/Kids of All Abilities

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Make And Play Your Own Dhol Drum

dhol image

Almost every culture has a special kind of drum to call its own.  In Northern India, the dhol is a two-headed drum worn around the neck, often decorated in very beautiful ways.  It is played with two beaters (sticks) and can be a fun way of encouraging coordination between right hand and left hand as well as exploring new rhythms or the culture of India.

Supplies

dhol supplies To create a homemade version of a dhol drum, you need a few simple supplies:

Round (cylindrical) cardboard container (from oatmeal, bread crumbs, corn meal, etc.)

Felt, construction paper or poster board (large enough piece to fit around the cylinder).

Duct tape

Piece of sturdy ribbon, bric-brac, old belt or recycled strap from a purse.

2 pencils

2 plastic spoons

Materials for decoration (if desired)

Crayons, markers, stickers, or glitter and glue.

Yarn for tassels

dhol half madeMake Your Own Dhol

Start by cutting a length of ribbon or strap so that the “drum” that will fit comfortably over your child’s head and hang at about stomach height.  Duct tape the strap into place onto the cylinder.

Next, cut a length of felt, construction paper or poster board to fit over the cylinder.  Decorate it with crayons, markers, glitter and glue or similar materials, if desired.

When you’ve completed your design, tape the felt or paper into place.

Create two beaters for the drum.  Since sticks can be a safety hazard with young children, I encourage parents, teachers and caregivers to tape two plastic spoons to unsharpened pencils and dhol drum - completeduse them as beaters.  They are the right length for dhol drum beaters and don’t leave any sharp edges exposed.

Tassles?

Many dhol are decorated with colorful tassels.  If you want to add some to your drum, simply wind your favorite colors of yarn around a small length of cardboard.  Slip the yarn off the cardboard, and tie one side creating the “head” of the tassel.  Then cut the strings on the opposite side so they will hang down as fringe.

And attach to your drum!

Playing the Dhol

Allow your child to put the drum “on” and experiment with striking each side with a beater.

josef plays dholTry striking back and forth slowly and then more quickly.

Try making up patterns like: “Left side, left side, right!”

Or more complicated ones as well.

Try walking and playing your dhol.

Discover some traditional dhol rhythms and see if you can imitate them.

The Traditional Dhol

Want to discover some traditional rhythms played in this drum? You can see and hear them here:

Other Instruments From India – Indian Ankle Bells

Check out this fun and easy craft – making Indian-style ankle bells called ghungroo: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Instruments-From-India-Make-Your-Own-Ankle-Bells-Ghungroo-486879

Links:

Color a Dhol  http://www.dariamusic.com/docs/Dhol%20Coloring%20Page.pdf

Dhol Drum mini-poster and coloring page from TeachersPayTeachers http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Dhol-Drum-Instruments-From-India-904625

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Posted in Classroom Music, Early Learning With Music, Family Fun, Homeschool Musical Fun, India, Multicultural Music, Musical Crafts, Simple Instruments

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Creating Meaningful Music Experiences For Children

Looking for creative ways to combine music, play and learning for young children?

We love the recent article by Carla from Preschool Powol Packets (nice blog!) with 5 different activities young children and their and parents can do to explore music together.

Plus, there’s a give-away of a DARIA cd and a beautiful, authentic fair-trade rattle from Africa.

(Give-away open until September 16, 2013).

Check out the great ideas for musical play that include making simple instruments, ideas for a rhythm band and creating songs to express feelings.

Stop by to check out the fun and learning here:

http://preschoolpowolpackets.blogspot.com/2013/09/musicactivitiesDaria.html

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Simple Instruments from Africa For Children

Making music with young children is a great way of combining creativity and fun with learning about global cultures.  Whether you are quietly crafting, reading and researching or drumming and dancing, here are some simple instruments that can be a part of any study of the diverse and beautiful cultures of Africa.

this tongue rattle hereMake It Rattle!

Different types of rattles can be found throughout Africa and the world.  They are easy to hold and play for kids of all ages and almost all abilities.   Here are three very different rattles from Africa – one that even can be seen in hieroglyphics that date back to ancient Egypt!  All of these are perfect to be made and played by small hands!

Tongue Rattle

http://makingmulticulturalmusic.wordpress.com/2012/10/02/make-your-own-african-style-tongue-rattle/

Caxixi Rattle

http://tinytappingtoes.wordpress.com/2013/02/05/make-your-own-woven-caxixi-rattle/

Egyptian Sistrum Rattle – Make It From A Recycled Hanger

the Eco-Egyptian Sistrum

Egyptian Sistrum Rattle – Make It From A Tree Branch

the Natural Egyptian Sistrum

Egyptian Sistrum Coloring Page
the Egyptian Sistrum Coloring Page

South African drummer - farahHands On The Drum!

There are an astounding number of different drums and drumming traditions throughout Africa.  Crafting a simple hand drum from recycled materials is a great place to start an exploration of drumming for very young children.

http://www.dariamusic.com/docs/Make%20Your%20Own%20African%20Drum.pdf

Shake A Shekere

In this unique and beautiful percussion instrument, the rattle is on the outside of the gourd.  It can be shaken back and forth, tossed hand to hand or used like a ball in simple children’s musical games.  To hear or color a shekere or find crafting instructions and simple activities, check out the links below.

shekere iconHear A Shekere

http://www.dariamusic.com/shekere.php

Color A Shekere Online

http://www.dariamusic.com/color_Shekere.php

Make Your Own Shekere

http://www.dariamusic.com/make_Shekere.php

Easy Gourd Shekere For A Kid Or A Classroom

http://tinytappingtoes.wordpress.com/2013/08/05/easy-gourd-shekere-for-a-child-or-a-classroom/

Alphabet Shekere

http://www.trueaimeducation.com/2012/10/guest-post-learning-letters-with.html

 

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Posted in African Music, Classroom Music, Early Learning With Music, Family Fun, First Instruments, Multicultural Music, Musical Crafts, Simple Instruments

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Make Your Own Recycled Shaker Eggs

Everyone loves those bright colorful eggs that go chugga-chugga-chugga when you shake them.  They’re a wonderful addition to any classroom or children’s music area.  But, can you whip up your own version at home from recycled or on-hand materials?   Absolutely!

Supplies

Shakee egg suppliesSupplies for this craft are easy.  Any “child-proof” medicine bottle.  A small amount of any type of filling such as dried beans, beads, rice, bird seed, grain (such as quinoa), sand, salt or tiny pasta like pastina.  You’ll also need a sturdy tape – colorful electric tape works wonderfully and doesn’t unravel after hours of play.

What if you don’t use that kind of bottle?  Ask around.  Often friends, colleagues, neighbors or family can save an item like this for you and you can save one more plastic product from making it’s way into the waste stream.

Make Your Own

This craft couldn’t be easier.  Simply fill and seal your bottle.  Before you add the tape, make sure you enjoy the sound. You might be surprised how having less filling in a bottle can create a nicer sound.  Is your rattle loud or soft enough?  If not, adjust what you’ve put inside.

Although I usually recommend that parents or caregivers make crafts with kids, this is one that may be best to make without the children present. Since the project uses aspirin or medicine bottles, it may not be a great idea to give the impression that these bottles; when filled with their original contents, are playthings.

To cover the bottle and turn into a shaker egg, wrap it in tape.  Feel free to be creative with striped patterns using different colored tape, if you like.

hands with shaker eggsShake Your Own

How complex can playing shaker eggs be?  You might be surprised at the many different ways you can play them.

Shake one quietly.
Shake one loudly.
Shake back and forth.
Shake up and down.
Swoosh the contents around inside (in a circular motion).
Shake two different eggs – one in each hand.
Shake two different eggs, alternating back and forth.

You get the idea – right?

Even this simple egg-style shaker can be great at building motor skills, listening skills or as a part of any musical activity.

All Eggs Are Not The Same

If you’ve made several eggs with different fillings, you’ve probably noticed that each sound a bit different.  Larger beads or dried beans will make a louder noise.  Tiny beads, grain or sand will make a very quiet sound. This can be a fun way of learning loud and soft or interacting with your child.  Ask them questions like:  “which egg shall we use for this song?  What sounds best to you?”.

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Posted in Babies and Music, Early Learning With Music, Family Fun, First Instruments, Musical Crafts, Simple Instruments, Special Needs/Kids of All Abilities

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Easiest Instruments For Young Children – Recycled Rattles

Screen shot 2014-07-07 at 1.00.10 PMThere’s a reason you find rattles in almost every culture around the globe.

They are amazingly simple and very powerful at the same time.  A child playing a rattle becomes aware of how his or her movements change the sound they are making.  They realize how the sound they create can “fit” with a beat and most studies of young children show that they are keenly aware of rhythmic patterns.  Making and playing several varieties of homemade rattles can be a great way to explore music and have fun with a young child at the same time.

Recycled Rattles for Home or Classroom Play

 

Rattles made from gourds, seeds, feathers and a donkey's jawbone

Rattles made from gourds, seeds, feathers and a donkey’s jawbone

Most early rattles were made of materials such as dried gourds, seashells, clay, coconuts, bark and a variety of other natural objects.  In Africa, caxixi rattles are made from woven fiber.  In India, special rattles are made from colorful palm fronds woven together in clever patterns.  On the coast of Peru there’s even a rattle made from the jawbone of a donkey.  In short, people make instruments from materials that they have found available near their home.  We are going to take that same approach to creating recycled rattles!

Clean and dry a variety of small plastic containers (water bottles, juice containers, etc.) and assemble some objects that can serve as the contents of the rattles. Here’s a list of common materials that work well and the type of sound they create:

NORWESCAP the tableQuiet rattles: sand, salt, sugar, confetti, cotton balls, craft puff balls, paper bits, Q-tips, tiny pasta (such as pastina or acine de pepe).

Medium Rattles:  paper clips, small pebbles, birdseed, small beads, small dried beans, rice, smaller buttons.

Loud Rattles:  dried macaroni/pasta, large pebbles, large beads, coins, large dried beans, larger buttons.

The Inside of the Rattle

Choose the objects you’d like to add to the rattle to create the sound and also consider including some decorative elements.  Since plastic containers are transparent, you can easily add confetti, glitter, colorful ribbon, pipe-cleaners or similar items. They won’t alter the sound but they will add color, beauty and interest when the rattle is being played.

alphabet shekere 2The Outside of the Rattle

If you like, you can decorate the outside of the rattle with stickers, markers or add a handle made from pipe-cleaner, yarn or ribbon.  Feel free to get creative.  When you’re done, it’s time to seal it with some sturdy tape, such as electrical tape.  This helps keep the contents inside and generally makes it more child-safe around young music-makers.

Now you’re ready to have fun with your rattle!

Time To Play!

Peru_Preschool_ShakureShake along while you sing one of your favorite songs. Try playing slowly and shaking your rattle to the beat.  Then speed up the song. Can you keep up and keep in time?  Play along with recorded music.  Listen to different types of music and see how your rattle fits in with the music being played.

An Easy Rattle Game For Young Children

If everyone in a class or a small group has made a rattle, you try this easy game.

Ask the children to play a certain way until the music stops.  For instance, the teacher can say: “Shake your rattle softly until the music stops”.  The teacher stops the recorded music (like in a game of musical chairs) at an unexpected place and sees if all the students were able to stop at the same time.  Next, change the directions to other simple ways to play, such as:

Shake your rattle back and forth until the music stops.
Shake your rattle up and down until the music stops.
Shake your rattle round and round until the music stops.
Shake your rattle very softly until the music stops.
Shake your rattle loudly until the music stops.
Shake your rattle down low until the music stops.
Shake your rattle up high until the music stops.
Shake your rattle quickly until the music stops.
Shake your rattle slowly until the music stops.

Aside from this one game, there are lots of other ways you can make music and have fun with a rattle while you are learning, playing and recycling – all at the same time!

Here Are Some Variations On Rattle Crafts:

Monster Rattles – From Egg Cartons
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/HALLOWEEN-MUSICAL-RATTLE-BASED-ON-PERUVIAN-QUIJADA-1146672

Make Your Own African Coffee Can Drum – https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Make-Your-Own-African-Drum-Craft-3507618

chapchas (3) on red backgroundMake Your Own Maracas – https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Latin-American-Intruments-Make-Your-Own-Maracas-142802

MYO Chapchas- Goat Toe-Nail Rattlers from South America – https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Chapchas-A-Unique-Rattle-From-Latin-America-1426778

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Posted in Babies and Music, Classroom Music, Early Learning With Music, First Instruments, Music And Community, Musical Crafts

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Easiest Instruments For Young Children – The Guiro!

The guiro is a perfect “first instrument” to share with young children.  It’s incredibly simple and versatile at the same time.  In a matter of minutes, a child can be exploring the sounds created by the guiro and making rhythms by rubbing the rasp back and forth or up and down along the surface of the guiro.

What Is A Guiro?

Although you can find similar instruments all over the world, a guiro is an instrument with Latin American roots that was originally made from wood, bone or gourds carved to have a ridged surface.  In the picture above you can see a bone guiro from Mexico, a wooden version and a homemade guiro made from a recycled plastic water bottle.  Some modern guiros are made of plastic or metal as well.

homemade guiro and 6 raspsPlay A Guiro With A Rasp

To play a guiro you rub an object across the ridges on the surface of your instrument.  Older guiros often have sharp metal rasps so it can be useful to substitute more child-safe choices.  Here are some fun ways to create sound on a guiro.  They include hair picks, plastic spoons/forks/sporks, chopsticks, an egg whisk or an unsharpened pencil.  Each will create a slightly different sound when used to play the guiro.

Make A Simple Guiro

Since it’s unlikely that you have the perfect dried gourd or an old bone lying around your house, start this musical craft in your recycling bin.  Sort through the plastic bottles to see if you have one that has ridges and is sturdy enough to use in this project.

Although your plastic bottle guiro is ready to play “as is”, you can also add some decoration inside the bottle and seal it up before you begin to play. You can look for things like confetti or colorful paper shreds.  Or you can choose to add objects that will make the bottle work as a rattle as well.  To make a guiro that doubles as a rattle, add a small amount of any on-hand material such as bird seed, beads, pebbles or dried beans, rice or pasta.

paper shred guiroIf you’ve add anything to the inside, it’s a good idea to seal the bottle with a strong tape; such as electrical tape, so the contents will stay inside and keep the bottle from being opened when played.  You might even want to attach your rasp to the guiro with some colorful ribbon or yarn as in the example here

Play Your Guiro!

You’ve probably already figured this out!  The guiro is played by scraping back and forth or up and down along the ridges.  You can put on some of your favorite music and let your child experiment with what sounds good to them.  Or you can learn some basic rhythms together with your child.  Here are some fun ways to begin.

Try playing along with a whole song by just scraping down or by just scraping up.

Try playing along with a song by scraping: down/up, down/up, down/up.

Try playing along with a song by scraping:

down/up – down/up/down…, down/up – down/up/down…

Discover the patterns that sound good to your ear or write a new song to go along with a rhythm you’ve just discovered.  If you start with this simple and clever little instrument, there’s no telling how much creative musical fun you can have!

Related Links:

See, Hear and Color A Guiro Here:

http://www.dariamusic.com/guiro.php

Play Along With A Bilingual Version of La Cucaracha here:

 

 

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