Instrumental Activity Book - Follow the Pattern of the Drum

The "Follow the Pattern of the Drum" activity is an engaging way for children to learn and interact with different 4-beat rhythm patterns using a drum. The game begins with the instructor playing a chosen rhythm pattern on the drum, which the children then mimic using their own instruments. The rule is simple: when the drumming stops, the children stop. This pattern is repeated with various rhythms to help children become comfortable with the beat. As an extension to the activity, once the children are familiar with several patterns, they are encouraged to take the lead and conduct the game themselves, fostering their confidence and leadership skills in music.

Another variant of the activity, "Follow the Pattern of the Drum with Body Percussion," involves children using their bodies as instruments. The instructor plays a 4-beat pattern on the drum incorporating rhythm elements like Ta, Te-Te, and a rest. Children respond by tapping their knees for Te-Te, clapping for Ta, and presenting their hands outwardly to signify the rest beat. In "Chosen Actions on Chosen Beats," children count to eight while clapping and perform specific actions on selected beats, such as clapping on beat 3 and clicking on beat 7. They can use claves to create new patterns, tapping them or the floor on different beats while counting aloud. The activity progresses to "Chosen Actions on Chosen Beats with Thinking Voices," where children internalise the counting and focus on playing the instruments at the correct times without vocalising the count. Finally, the extension introduces a canon element, where the class is divided into two groups and one group starts the rhythm while the other follows two beats later, challenging them to maintain the rhythm and timing.