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By Jason Litt
The NFL season is BACK! Your older grade level kids will love RED ZONE
RHYTHMS!
Students will see an NFL team and their corresponding mascot and the students will have to spell out the team and mascot combo with that's right... RHYTHM!
The students will have to decipher the rhythmic syllables using triplets, eighth note pairs, and quarter notes. The rhythm will be shown on the animation on the next slide.
There are 14 teams with 14 unique rhythms that the students will have to decipher. Here comes the kickoff!
BlockChain RHYTHM! - A fast-paced listening game!
By Jason Litt
This is a great resource to get your kids to work collaboratively as a team (or by themselves if you wish) to identify rhythms as they hear them!
In BlockChain Rhythm, students are given a set of 4 cubes with quarter notes, eighth note pairs, and quarter rests written on them (this is optional, but if you have these, it makes it a challenge for them if you have time to write them out!).
After hearing the rhythm example, they must "rubix cube style" arrange the rhythm that they heard in the right order that it is played. However, the first one to do it the fastest WINS!
Alternatively, you could play this by having the students write it down, have notation cards, or any other method you prescribe. Students can work together in teams of 1, 2, 4, or however may you wish.
To do it as a race: if you have a large and elongated classroom, try setting the blocks 10-15 feet away from the students. Students then have to run one by one and build each beat, go back and tag the next student, and build the second beat, and on and so forth until all four beats are completed.
There are 12 4-beat rhythm examples included in this. All you need to do is play the example and advance the powerpoint slide to show the correct answer!
Have a great time with this!
Poison Rests Level 1 - a new TWIST on a classic rhythm game!
By Jason Litt
If you've ever played Poison Pattern/Poison Rhythm or similar, you already know how it goes. Give the students a set of rhythms to play but one of them is the poison rhythm, which the students should NOT play. If they are, they're either out, lose points, or the teacher gains points (if you're playing against the class)
In this new twist, it's the same premise as students will play back each set of rhythms one-by-one as given by the teacher. However, there will be one rhythm that has a rest on a specific beat (beat 1, 3, 5, whichever the slide specifies)
AVOID THAT RHYTHM AT ALL COSTS!
So for instance, the students may play any rhythm, but avoid the rhythm that has a rest on Beat Number 2
Advance the slide and your students will see various rhythms composed of quarter notes and eighth notes _with the quarter rest landing on different beats.
_...just avoid playing the rhythm on BEAT NUMBER 2!
There are five different levels of rhythms all composed of the quarters and paired eighth sets with the rests switching back and forth between beats. All you need to do is give the students a four beat prep, then they'll read it back (either vocally, with rhythm sticks, classroom instruments, etc)
Wanna make it harder?
Have a great time with the new version of a classic game!
Level 2, sixteenth note patterns and eighth note rests coming soon!
Angry Birds Theme - BUCKET DRUMMING!
By Jason Litt
Need to connect with your kids with their video game music through general music? Involve them in bucket drumming with the Theme from Angry Birds
There is one color coded slide along with the form identifiers listed next to each phrase. Discuss form with the students and teach them (by rote) the rhythms on the powerpoint with the corresponding repeats (most are repeated 4). Then, apply it to drums!
All regular notation is to be played on the buckets (or drums, or ground, however you wish), and the X notation (with a down stem) are played as stick clicks above their head (or you could apply it to a tambourine or other auxiliary instrument)
This is a great resource for your beginning bucket drummers as it's only one page long with a lot of repeated passages and rudimentary rhythms!
Here's the track so you can play along...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DehK\_Y0TUbE
Have fun with this and let us know how it goes!
Terms of Use:
All images/photos/clip art in this resource were created by me.
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*** Looking for more BUCKET DRUMMING resources? *** Find them here!
The Early Bird - an original Tubano composition!
By Jason Litt
In "The Early Bird", introduce your kids to some great music from indigenous instruments from Africa! Using your classroom Djembe or Tubanos, learn the music by rote by taking it one rehearsal section at a time (with rehearsal markings [A], [B], [C], and so forth). This is terrific practice with your older students who want to work on alternating hands, especially with trickier syncopations!
The notation on the first space F is a bass (middle of the drum) and the notation on the third space C is a tone (four fingers near the rim of the drum, pitched a bit higher)
At the end, wrap it up and put on a show! Want to layer it?
Use this in class, a concert, a parent showcase, admin, faculty and staff, whatever you wish!
Have a terrific time with this one :)
Radetzky March, J Strauss (VADrum) - RHYTHM BASKETBALL!
By Jason Litt
RHYTHM BASKETBALL is in with a classical throwback made popular by the YouTube influencer VADrum -- here's his cover of the "Radetzky March" by Johann Strauss!
There are five all-color coded slides along with the form identifiers listed next to each phrase. Discuss form with the students and teach them (by rote) the rhythms on the powerpoint with the corresponding repeats (most are repeated 2 or 3 times).
For this, your students will each have a basketball (can be regulation size or smaller) and bounce their ball on the ground each time they see a basketball icon. Each basketball icon is denoted as a quarter note. The rests are in between each ball for the students to hold the ball.
There's also a "pat" icon with a hand below the basketball icon itself, so you will have the student hold the basketball in one hand and pat the ball on the beat
The orchestral mp3 track with background drums can be found here:
Have fun with this and let us know how it goes!
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Looking for even MORE Rhythm Basketball pieces? Find 'em here!
Minecraft Theme (TRAP Remix) - RHYTHM BASKETBALL!
By Jason Litt
RHYTHM BASKETBALL is in with a tune that's sure to get your bouncing right along -- a trap remix of the theme from MINECRAFT!
There are two all-color coded slides along with the form identifiers listed next to each phrase. Discuss form with the students and teach them (by rote) the rhythms on the powerpoint with the corresponding repeats
For this, your students will each have a basketball (can be regulation size or smaller) and bounce their ball on the ground each time they see a basketball icon. Each basketball icon is denoted as a quarter note. The rests are in between each ball for the students to hold the ball.
There's also a "pat" icon with a hand below the basketball icon itself, so you will have the student hold the basketball in one hand and pat the ball on the beat
Here's the track so you can play along...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nL4i9FKuiEA
Have fun with this and let us know how it goes!
Wellerman (TikTok) REMIX - RHYTHM BASKETBALL!
By Jason Litt
RHYTHM BASKETBALL is in with a tune that's sure to get your kids singing and bouncing right along dwith the smash hit "The Wellerman - TRAP Remix"
There are three all-color coded slides along with the form identifiers listed next to each phrase. Discuss form with the students and teach them (by rote) the rhythms on the powerpoint with the corresponding repeats (most are repeated 4 times).
For this, your students will each have a basketball (can be regulation size or smaller) and bounce their ball on the ground each time they see a basketball icon. Each basketball icon is denoted as a quarter note. The rests are in between each ball for the students to hold the ball.
There's also a "pat" icon with a hand below the basketball icon itself, so you will have the student hold the basketball in one hand and pat the ball on the beat
Here's the track so you can play along...
WRITE THE ROOM - Minecraft Notation!
By Jason Litt
The newest sensation, "Write the Room" has an 8-bit twist as we present to you a MINECRAFT Notation version of the popular game!
In Write the Room, students will all receive a sheet of paper with 9 answer boxes with a Minecraft character representing each box. There will be 9 sheets (placed strategically around the room by you!) that students will have to find and write the rhythm down that accompanies that character. Once all 9 answers are completed, they will show to you to verify that all rhythms are correct!
To play:
Play some music in the background and have the kids roam around the room as fast as they can. Neatness counts! :D
How do you find a winner? Up to you! Top 3, Top 5, best handwriting, fastest pair, fastest group, up to you!
Have a great time with this!
Rhythm Color Lineup (an active listening rhythm game!)
By Jason Litt
In Rhythm Color Lineup, students all receive a baggie of six cards (you can just cut out Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple cards from construction paper) to use to decipher the rhythm being played.
They will then listen to a musical example of a rhythm with notes shown on their colored cards (although their cards will be blank, but be representative of the rhythm)...but they’re not in the right order!
The students will then line up your colors from left to right as you hear the rhythm being played, and check your answer afterward by advancing the slide!
All slides include the embedded sound file in it (with 8 beats of prep before the rhythm example) and you get 10 examples to illustrate for your kids
Have a colorful time with this one!
WRITE THE ROOM - NFL Notation Edition!
By Jason Litt
The newest sensation, "Write the Room" has an athletic twist to surely get your 4th and 5th grade boys engaged too as we present to you an NFL Notation version of the popular game!
In Write the Room, students will all receive a sheet of paper with 9 answer boxes with an NFL logo representing each box. There will be 9 sheets (placed strategically around the room by you!) that students will have to find and write the rhythm down that accompanies that logo. Once all 9 answers are completed, they will show to you to verify that all rhythms are correct!
To play:
Play some music in the background and have the kids roam around the room as fast as they can. Neatness counts! :D
How do you find a winner? Up to you! Top 3, Top 5, best handwriting, fastest pair, fastest group, up to you!
Have a great time with this!
Drum Background Tracks - 24 loop tracks at various tempo!
By Jason Litt
Get your class on beat! Included are 24 background tracks with ethnic flair -- tablas, bongos, electric kits, and drum sets for your kids to jam with. The 24 tracks vary from 95 bpm all the way to 125 bpm (there are 6 different tracks with 4 different tempo)
Want a sneak peak? Give the preview a sample of some of the tracks!
I use these in my class for Orff, Boomwhacker, Rhythm Sticks, Dancing, Movement, or singing activities. The tracks go for about 1 minute each, but you can manipulate a longer track by having it stay on repeat for as long as you wish
Have fun!
**75% OFF!** Rhythm Latitudes (A RHYTHM CHALLENGE Game!)
By Jason Litt
***75% OFF FOR ONE WEEK ONLY!***
9.9.22 to 9.18.22!
Inspired from the MyRhythm App, here's a fun game you can play with some of your older kids to help reinforce rhythms, independence, steady beat, and more!
In Rhythm Latitudes, students will see two rectangles stacked on top of each other. In each rectangle (now known as a beat), there are two circles inside (denoted as eighth notes).
Top Rectangle
· If the first circle is illuminated green on the top rectangle, the students will play using their LEFT HAND either an instrument (maybe a tambourine, drum, rhythm stick, whatever you wish) or their hand to pat their lap
· If two circles are illuminated green on the top rectangle, the students will play using their LEFT HAND either an instrument (maybe a tambourine, drum, rhythm stick, whatever you wish) or their hand to pat their lap like two eighth notes
Bottom Rectangle
· If the first circle is illuminated green on the bottom rectangle, the students will play using their RIGHT HAND either an instrument (maybe a tambourine, drum, rhythm stick, whatever you wish) or their hand to pat their lap
· If two circles are illuminated green on the bottom rectangle, the students will play using their RIGHT HAND either an instrument (maybe a tambourine, drum, rhythm stick, whatever you wish) or their hand to pat their lap like two eighth notes
You will receive 4 levels of mastery with this (4 beats, 6 beats, offbeats, and rests) and accompanying mp3 groove background tracks (or you can play it with some of your favorite pop music).
Procedure:
· Teach the first pages of Left Hand rhythms on top, Right Hand rhythms on bottom
· Review included practice rhythms
· Then count off the kids and go!
· If they master it, move onto the next slide until completed (or until time runs out)
Bones, Imagine Dragons - CUP RHYTHM ARRANGEMENT!
By Jason Litt
Cup rhythms are terrific for your students of all ages! Inexpensive plastic cups from the dollar store, Target, or others make excellent substitutes for percussion instruments and in unison played together, solidifies steady beat, rhythm acuity, and gets everyone playing as an ensemble!
In this arrangement of Imagine Dragons' hit from 2022, the newly released "Bones"!
students will read each corresponding colored section along with the form identifier for the amount of times played.
Discuss form with the students and teach them (by rote) the rhythms on the powerpoint with the corresponding repeats. Then, apply it your class set of cups (to be done on the ground, in their seat, or however)!
Notation is as follows:
Here's the track so you can play along...
By Jason Litt
In this rhythm reading exercise for Boomwhackers, up to 5 boomwhacker colors will appear on the screen (an assortment of notes from the octave, red, orange, yellow, lime, green, purple, and pink)
Each color has a different rhythm and the color will be assigned to that rhythm and repeat as many times as necessary.
When you advance the slide, the rhythms and colors change around, giving everyone an opportunity to play a different rhythm and at a different time during the game.
You can play this a few ways
Included are instrumental accompaniment tracks but feel free to use your own! There are 16 different variations of rhythms and Boomwhackers colors in this resource
Have a great time with this!
Body Percussion Warmups (40 exercises!)
By Jason Litt
No need to have drums, recorders, or even auxiliary instruments for this one! If you don't have access, are traveling to rooms, or want to give a change to your curriculum try "Body Percussion Warmups"!
There are 10 warmups in each level with CLAPS, SNAPS, STOMPS, and SNAPS, all indicated on the powerpoint slide. Count your kids off with a few prep beats and watch them go!
Also terrific for reading in some of the younger grades who are not familiar with standard notation and need a warmup to reading using these icons.
Use the included background tracks (90bpm to 110bpm) or put on your favorite music so the kids can jam along!
Here are the 4 levels:
One "Minor" Imposter ("Among Us" theme chord quality identification)
By Jason Litt
A game that will keep your students entertained, engaged, and competitively charged with identifying chord quality, here's One "Minor" Imposter inspired by "Among Us"!
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IN ONE MINOR IMPOSTER, YOU WILL LISTEN TO 2, 3, 4 EVEN 5 CREWMATES PLAY MAJOR CHORDS ONE BY ONE. ONE OF THE MAJOR CHORDS IS ACTUALLY NOT THE MAJOR CHORD PERFORMED!
YOUR TASK IS TO DECIDE WHICH CREWMATE IS THE IMPOSTER BY SELECTING THE CREWMATE WHO PLAYED THE MINOR CHORD INSTEAD OF THE MAJOR CHORD
HERE WILL BE ONLY ONE CREWMATE WHO IS THE IMPOSTER
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In each example is a piano/guitar/harpsichord mix with different background percussion tempos to keep the kids engaged. Each crewmate, lined up on the powerpoint (1, 2, 3, etc) will be representative of the musical example played.
Included in this resource are
Have a terrific time with this while your kids study chord quality!
GAME ON! - A rhythm-building gaming resource
By Jason Litt
Want a great way to entice some of your boys in your general music class? Try GAME ON!, a gaming themed rhythm challenge that will suit all of your students, especially some of those gamers out there!
In “GAME ON!”, students will see a popular game or game series for multiple consoles (Xbox, PlayStation, etc)
They will then use rhythm cards provided in their “bank” of cards to build out the name of the game in a rhythm they feel best fits the name. There will be a series of one beat spaces to give the students a clue on which cards fit in which beats – be very specific as only a few cards will be chosen out of the bank
Advance the slide and find out the students’ rhythm and see if it matches the rhythm on the screen.
You can use this an assessment for all students or even see if they can identify it in a certain amount of time (10 seconds, 15 seconds, etc). Even try a boys vs girls or team vs team to see who can get it the fastest!
Included are 12 game titles and a printout of triplets, quarters, and eighth note pair cards for your students.
Have a great time with this and GAME ON!
Among Rhythm ("Among Us" themed Rhythm Practice)
By Jason Litt
A wild request from a Facebook group, here's Among Rhythm, a game where students will perform rhythm "tasks" before advancing through the game to the end.
Students will play this as the "Crewmates" and view a rhythm. Teachers will ask the students to perform the rhythm (spoken, clapped, or performed) and then advance the slide to the next task
There are 20 different tasks with Quarter Notes, Eighth Notes, Quarter Rests, Half Notes, and Dynamics (also reading rhythms up and down!)
You can play this with mysterious music in the background to set an ambient game mood.
Enjoy!
Common Sense (Identifying Errors in Common Meter)
By Jason Litt
"4 beats in a measure with the quarter note getting the beat", the time old concept we ingrain in our students' mind! Assess your students by letting them identify inaccuracies in a measure of music with "Common Sense"
Students will view examples of a measure of Common Time (4/4) and find the measure that has too many or not enough beats to equal common time!
After the students select the correct measure, advance the slide to find out the answer. You can then trigger a discussion of what made it inaccurate (too many beats, not enough beats, etc)
The latter half of the lesson shows you one measure of music with a [ ? ] box. Students will have to select (from a multiple choice selection of answers) which answer would best fit in the box to complete a measure of 4/4