Digital @ The Arts Unit Creative Classes

Body beats

Use Chrome Music Lab Rhythm to explore rhythm using body percussion

Student music resource developed by The Arts Unit

Year 3 to Year 6 music

3 beat rhythm patterns

In this lesson we will be using the 3 beat metre. Make sure you are on the page with the animated monkeys!

You will notice there are only 3 vertical lines in this pattern.

Can you name the instruments the monkeys are playing?

Body percussion - triangle - clap hands, high timpani - tap chest, low timpani - slap knees.

We will complete activities line by line and then try putting it all together!

You might like to try practising the rhythm patterns first before trying with the computer.

Clapping patterns

Copy the pattern into the Chrome Music Lab Rhythm grid by clicking on the dots on the top line to create the grey triangles which are played by the triangle.

Once you have copied the pattern push play and copy the pattern by clapping your hands in time to the rhythm.

Pattern 1

3 beat pattern - clap and clap and clap and

Pattern 2

3 beat pattern - clap clap clap and clap and

Now it is your turn.

Create your own clapping pattern by clicking on dots on the top line only.

Share your pattern with your classmates and see if they can follow it.

Tap your chest

Copy the pattern into the grid by clicking on the dots on the middle line to create the yellow circles which are played by the high timpani.

Once you have copied the pattern push play and copy the pattern by tapping your chest in time to the rhythm.

Pattern 1

3 beat pattern - tap and tap and and and

Pattern 2

Now it is your turn.

Create your own chest tapping pattern by clicking on dots on the middle line only.

Share your pattern with your classmates and see if they can follow it.

Slap your knees

Copy the pattern into the Chrome Music Lab Rhythm grid by clicking on the dots on the bottom line to create the red circles which are played by the low timpani.

Once you have copied the pattern push play and copy the pattern by slapping your knees in time to the rhythm.

Pattern 1

Pattern 2

Now it is your turn.

Create your own knee slapping pattern by clicking on dots on the bottom line only.

Share your pattern with your classmates and see if they can follow it.

Putting it all together!

Lets put it all together.

Copy these patterns.

Pattern 1

Pattern 2

Here is a tricky one! Watch out the rhythm is much faster!

Pattern 3

Now it is your turn to create some mixed patterns.

How tricky can you be?

Share your patterns with your classmates and see if they can follow it.

Challenge

In this challenge we will be using the video 'In the Hall of the Mountain King - Percussion/Movement'. This piece is in a 4 beat metre.

Watch it through once to have an understanding of the music.

Once you have watched the video, follow the instructions below to see if you can follow the music using body percussion.

Note: You can change the playback speed of the music in the settings bar on the Youtube video to go slower when you are first learning.

In the Hall of the Mountain King - Percussion/Movement

Duration: 02:56

Using the body percussion symbols challenge yourself to keep the rhythm to the video 'In the Hall of the Mountain King - Percussion/Movement'.

Before you start, let's get familiar with how the patterns are displayed.

Copy the following 2 phrases from the start of the video.

Once you are confident at remembering the symbols and the body percussion they represent you are ready to take on the video challenge.

Good luck! We can't wait to see how you go!