Introducing Musical Instruments and Song
The children have shown an interest in music. We have focused on making beats - fast, slow, soft, loud. They have also focused on how to incorporate singing into their music. The sounds the children imitate is a chanting style of music. We have listened to different types of chant to provoke our ideas about different music and sounds.
Using the big drum, the children worked together to discover different sounds and rhythm.
"If we all hit the drum, then it is really loud. We are doing it hard."
"If we tap on it the drum will be very soft. It's so quiet."
Throughout the morning, the children made different beats, discussed rhythmes, and identified patterns.
The children use the instruments during different times of the day - it seems to be something that they want to incorporate during other activities too.
Using the rhythm sticks, the children heard different sounds, developed new patterns, and made beats along with their favorite songs.
They discovered that when they rub the sticks together it made a new sound.
"It sounds different. It's softer."
We had the opportunity to listen to and play a Grand Piano. We played along with the pianist and watched how all the keys moved. Experiencing this new instrument was important for our new interest.
The children enjoyed working together - They watched each others actions and imitated one another.
As this next week continues, we will bring out materials that will encourage children to create new sounds together, work as a team, and develop their own music based on their interests in sounds.
