Rhythm Pipes

One of the problems we have as a small village primary school, is that we have few percussion instruments. To solve this, I have bought lengths of white pipe from a DIY store and cut them into drum stick length.

To help children develop rhythmical awareness, I play a popular piece of music they will know. I either get them to copy my rhythm, which I play on a set of sticks, or hold up graphic notation and conduct them.

For younger children, I use picture. So, a picture of a bee would be one note, tadpole 2 half notes, butterfly, 1/3 notes and caterpillar 1/4 notes. I then introduce more formal graphic notation in lower KS2.