*Make a Marching Band
Celebrate a special occasion or just have fun by forming a marching band. Each person in the marching band should have one instrument. It can be something that is blown into, shaken or banged. If you already have some instruments in the house, gather those together. Maracas, castanets, rattles, tambourines, drums, recorders, flutes or other wind instruments work well while marching. You can also use wrist or ankle bracelets that jangle as "wearable" sound-makers. If you don't have instruments, you can use everyday household objects to make a collection. Here are some ideas for instruments you can make at home, or think up your own creative ways to make instruments.
SHAKERS
Create a shaker from an empty oatmeal container, coffee can, empty pill bottle, wooden tea container, spice jar and/or plastic juice bottle. Fill halfway with household items that make a noise. You can also make a shaker by stapling together and filling two paper plates.
RHYTHM MAKERS
Use chopsticks or two wooden or metal spoons to bang together to create rhythm. Bang together two pot lids, or one pot lid and a chopstick or spoon. You can also rub or bang together wooden blocks.
You can find ways to make simple musical instruments online at: www.nancymusic.com/
This site has easy to follow instructions for making sand blocks, an African tambourine and jingle bracelets. http://www.enchantedlearning.com
This illustrated site offers ways to make a rattle, paper plate maracas, and a rainstick.
You may also wish to purchase traditional instruments and/or those from other countries and cultures. They can enhance musical experiences by introducing different sounds and help children learn about other cultures and the universality of the enjoyment of music.
When each person has his or instrument, the band is ready to march around the home or neighborhood. The group can simply walk around with each person playing his or instrument to no particular tune, or someone can sing a song that people keep time to, or you can play a CD or sing one of the following marches and coordinate the rhythm to the beat:
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| Make a Marching Band PDF | 956.21 KB |
