Do you want to use the barred instruments in your classroom
more often but just don’t have the time to get them ready between classes or to
set them up in the correct pentatonic scale? Spring is my favorite time of
year, especially in Kindergarten because the students finally get to learn how
to take care of the “big” instruments.
It was about my second or third year of teaching and
requesting additional instruments that I had the revelation that I couldn’t do
everything and I needed to prep the students on my expectations on how to take
the “bars” off of the instruments and why we had to be careful. The lesson “Let’s Do the
Bar Dance” emerged!
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Demonstrate how to grab each end of a bar and lift straight
up like a helicopter. Ask a student to watch and notice what happens to the
“peg” when you take the bar off wrong (use one hand and lift at an angle).
He/she should notice that the peg bends. Ask the class what would eventually
happen to the peg if everyone always used one hand and it kept bending 15-16
times a day. Someone will say “it will break off” and I quickly go into my
options once an instrument is broken: put it in the closet - but then someone
wouldn’t have an instrument to play, fix it – but I’d have to drill out the old
peg and that is a little scary because if I didn’t drill straight I’d ruin the
instrument and then have to throw it away or buy a new one - but the school
doesn’t have $2000 (I love using a Bass Xylophone for this lesson for the cost
perspective)….maybe our best option is to take care of the instruments!
Have the students stand behind an instrument. If you don’t
have one instrument per student this is a perfect lesson for students to double up on an
instrument or to take turns. If students need to take turns develop some type
of signal to rotate. Review how to grab the bar with two hands and ask the students to take one bar off and then to carefully put it back on in the same spot. Ask them to take off another bar with two hands, then ask them to move and dance in their spot with it. After 8-10
seconds ask them to carefully put it back on with two hands. Take off a
different bar and dance with it! Repeat
the process a couple more times – reminding students they have to use two hands
and lift straight up! Eventually, while you are asking them to take off different bars and dance add some background
music during the instructions! You could use anything with a fun, strong beat. My students love the
following found on iTunes:
·
ExperienceAfrican Music: African Drumming, African Soukouss Music and West African DanceMusic (Album) Beat the Drums (song)
·
ExperienceAfrican Music: African Drumming, African Soukouss Music and West African DanceMusic (Album) West Africa Drums
(song)
If you have a some extra time try extending the lesson with
a little pantomime and have the students copy you. It is a great time to rest
your voice! I usually use an air xylophone and act like I’m tickling the bars
with my fingertips. After everyone has joined in I eventually hold up my hands –
students will finally notice that they should have stopped too! Add some glissandos,
tremolos on a high bar or low bar and mimic playing soft. Eventually notice the mallets and pick them up. Continue the pantomime exercises using mallets this time (dynamics work really well when adding
mallets). Most of all have fun and do the instrument bar dance!
I love repeating this lesson in the fall and spring with 1st - 2nd grade to reinforce taking care of the instruments!
How do you train your
students how to take care of the instruments? I’d love to hear from you! Feel
free to share your ideas in the comments.
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