Instrumental Activity Book - Frere Jacques

The "Frere Jacques" instrumental activity book presents a delightful way to engage children with music through a familiar tune. The song "Frere Jacques" is segmented into four distinct phrases, making it an ideal piece for instrumental practice. In this activity, children are arranged in a circle and divided into four groups, with each group assigned a different category of instruments such as tappers, shakers, scrapers, and bells. Each group is responsible for playing their instruments in time with their specific line of the song. For instance, the scrapers might play along with the "Frere Jacques" line, while the shakers accompany "Dormez vous?" The bells could chime in for "Sonnez les matines," and the tappers would take the "Ding dang dong" part. This structured approach allows children to participate in an ensemble, contributing to the overall melody while focusing on rhythm and timing.

To further enhance the musical experience and challenge the children, the activity book suggests extension tasks. One such activity is to hum the melody of "Frere Jacques" while playing their instrumental parts, combining vocal and instrumental skills. Another advanced task encourages children to internalise the melody by thinking it as they play their instruments, promoting cognitive musical skills. These extension activities not only add depth to the learning experience but also help children to develop a more comprehensive understanding of musical structure and performance.