Do you teach body percussion in your music classroom? What started as a pandemic go-to activity has now become a staple for rhythm learning in my music room! Body percussion offers a fun, kinesthetic way to teach students rhythm and musical patterns while building confidence in rhythm reading.
Body percussion is an excellent tool for students of all ages. It’s accessible, doesn’t require any instruments, and is a fantastic way to engage students physically and musically. Each class begins with a body percussion rhythm, which we learn and perform together as a group. Over time, students are able to compose their own body percussion rhythms, encouraging creativity and independence.
This approach helps students:
I use a scaffolded approach to teaching body percussion. We begin with simple rhythms and slowly build upon each one, adding layers of complexity. The rhythms are introduced in a sequential way to ensure that students have a solid foundation before moving on to more advanced patterns. This approach sets students up for success and ensures that they are confident rhythm readers.
I love using a Body Percussion Booklet that’s specifically designed for scaffolding rhythms. The booklet contains a variety of exercises, starting with basic patterns and progressing toward more complex compositions. This resource is perfect for building rhythm reading skills step-by-step and allows students to practice independently or in groups.
Once students are comfortable performing pre-set rhythms, they move on to composing their own body percussion pieces. This is where the fun truly begins! Students are encouraged to create their own unique patterns, experimenting with claps, snaps, stomps, and pats. This not only enhances their understanding of rhythm but also boosts their creativity and confidence in performance.
Ready to bring the excitement of body percussion to your classroom? The Body Percussion Rhythm Booklet is available at the Teach from The Stage shop. This resource is packed with scaffolded rhythms that help students build confidence and succeed in rhythm reading and performance.
My name is Alessandra and I am a Kindergarten-Grade 8 Teacher of the Arts, specializing in music and dance education. Based in Toronto, Canada, I teach 800+ students a week and am a huge advocate for the arts. I graduated with a Bachelors of Music Therapy & Masters of Education, and I am passionate about fostering a quality music education program for every learner.
