This is a piece of music I have managed to get year 3 pupils of all abilities to perform within one 40-minute session from top to bottom (twice - getting pupils to rotate on to a different instrument too). All rhythms have words to go with them to help. Any rhythms in red (other than the Ganza rhythm) are for the teacher to play and then anything in green (other than the Agogo part) is for the rest of the class to play back. Anything in Blue (other than the Tamborim part) is to be shouted. Enjoy!
For more Samba pieces see my book 'Samba KS2 to KS3'.
Fonts used: Amatic SC and Century Gothic (see Font Pack to download)
This is just the book from the full Samba series I have been working on for the past 2 years made up of rhythms and a line of progression I have used with year 3, 4 and 5 pupils. The full series comes with Audio, Powerpoints and more (COMING SOON).
There are 8 pieces included with call & responses, breaks and rhythms as well as songs to use in conjunction with teaching Samba. Also included, especially suited to non-specialists or even just those struggling to communicate rhythm effectively, 3 different methods for teaching rhythm to KS2 and KS3 pupils.
Any feedback on this book would be massively helpful to me before I embark on one for snare drum/drum kit, tuned percussion and ukulele.
A free (reduced) version of the book is also available.
I have organised these rhythms to fit with;
1. Samba instruments
2. Instruments from different families
3. Fruits
Obviously people say words in different ways and with different parts of the word accented but as long as you follow the grid itself it works out.
I use this to introduce the boomwhackers to primary and secondary pupils. There is 2+ lessons worth of material covering scale, chords, melody and rhythm. 3 songs are used throughout the lessons and everything is colour-coded to match the Boomwhackers.
Songs are from The Sound of Music, The Ramones and Journey.
Having had issues with Powerpoints being the same on every computer, I’ve moved to PDFs (as all school computers should realistically have Adobe). Saves installing fonts and having pieces missing from the presentation. Works just like a Powerpoint just in a different program.
This 35 page Samba book covers how to teach, learn and lead Samba. From reading music notation (rhythm) to piecing together your first performance. Each piece has a different theme and gives you the freedom to make your own version.
10 Samba Pieces
10 Songs for Samba
10 Warm-up Ideas
10 Call & Responses
10 Breaks
5 Audio Examples
5 Ready-Made Lessons [PDF]
5 Music Games
4 Pages of alternative rhythms
3 Pages of Grid Method rhythms
3 Templates for making your own
1 Print-out Poster [rhythm circle]
NOTE: Make sure you install all the fonts after unzipping the fonts.zip folder to ensure that all Powerpoints look as intended/created. If you have any issues with any files (or would like the PowerPoint versions) then please contact me through Sticks, Keys & Frets: Teaching Resources on Facebook.
This is a 5 week scheme I’m using for Summer. Rhythms are all dinosaur themed and I have adapted ‘Walk the Dinosaur’ used in Ice Age 3 to fit with Samba and to introduce more Singing in to Samba Lessons. Some rhythms are quite complicated but have found that exposure helps a lot of pupils as well as allowing those that are more capable to expand their reading abilities. Most will rely on their listening skills.
Included:
Powerpoints for 5 weeks
Lesson Plans for 5 weeks
Audio for 'Walk The Dinosaur’
Font for Powerpoints
Fonts used: Jurassic Park and Century Gothic
I have done this with KS2 (years 3 + 4) on glockenspiel and it has gone down really well. I have used something similar with year 8 pupils (also including opportunities for ukulele, drums, guitar, bass and composition) but this is a good starting point for pupils before they get to high school. Progress is set out over 4 lessons, looking at the 12 bar blues, chords (broken) / walking bass lines, Blues melodies, flat/sharp notes and improvisation. There is a song that I came up with that pupils love to sing that works nicely with getting them to improvise in between too. Those that excel can also be pushed using the 'Blues Bass & Melodies' sheet to help expand their vocabulary for improvisation.
Font: Century Gothic
I have put together a book of all Major, Minor, Major 7, Minor 7 and Dominant 7 chords for Ukulele, Guitar & Keyboard. Root notes and chromatic notes for Bass Guitar are also included. All chords (apart from keyboard) are presented on an updated version of the normal grid/charts used practically everywhere online. I have found that this is easier for pupils to understand as they look more like the instrument than the normal black & white grids. However, it is easy to transfer from this updated version to the traditional look. When I do a song sheet for a song on ukulele I can quickly copy and paste the chords I need from here. Likewise, when I am doing a song sheet in the style of Musical Futures I can copy and paste chords for each instrument then all I need to do is all the lyrics and maybe a snazzy title and picture.
Everything is of high quality in case you were thinking of printing them to place around your room or print as a booklet for pupils to refer to as and when needed.
Tip: if pupils still struggle reading the grids then suggest that they rotate them left 90 degrees so that they lay the same way as you would then see them when looking down at the instrument (providing that you hold the neck of the instrument in your left hand).
The 5 pieces included here are:
1. Snow White - Heigh Ho
2. Lion King - In The Jungle
3. Bare Necessities - Jungle Book
4. Do You Want To Build A Snowman? - Frozen
5. Under The Sea - The Little Mermaid
I use these alongside games, singing the songs, using solfege (do-re-mi) as well as teach pupils to read notation so that by the time they get to ‘Under The Sea’ they can work out the colours needed.
Also included is a Powerpoint file which has the pieces broken down in to chunks (chords and melody).
NOTE: Make sure to install the fonts included to ensure the ppt. file looks as created.
Simply open like a PowerPoint presentation, have a go through it yourself first so you can see what actions are triggered when and how.
#1 Rhythm Shoot-Out - Pupils hear a rhythm, the first to shout 'BANG!' and give the correct answer gets a point. If they guess wrong, the other person gets a chance to guess.
#2 What's Behind The Door - Students have to play the rhythm "What's behind the door?" first then the rhythm they are presented with on screen.
#3 Music Monopoly - 4 teams navigate a maze to collect points by answering questions, playing rhythms and taking chances. Print out Characters on final slide.
#4 Musical Stairs - Teams have to follow the beat of a rhythm and tell you what beat you were on when you stop. Guide rhythm to follow.
NOTE: make sure to install the fonts in the .zip file otherwise the games won't look as intended and created.
A collection of gradually hardening beats, drum fills, combinations, linear playing, etc. for pupils to combine in their own pays, play along to their favourite songs, etc.
1. A Sailor Went to Sea - pupils love this one, playing the C chord on the words sea/see. Helps them remember the chord name really well too.
2. Little Ukulele - great for getting pupils to learn the 2 fingered chord F, however, I teach them Am first.
I have backing tracks for both, let me know if you need them.
CONTENT:
7 weeks of lessons for a medium ability KS2 class, though it could even be used as entry level for KS3. Powerpoints include a handful of games, warm ups, rhythms, breaks, hand signs, etc. I usually deliver these lessons in around 30-40minutes but I still try to spend time improving timing and playing to a pulse even by the end of the year. I use both the Apito whistle and the animations available in Powerpoint to have 4 Apito whistles appear on the screen to add a visual element (a wireless presenter is handy).
MAKE SURE YOU INSTAL THE FONTS
NOTES:
The rests on the Surdo part are meant to be played with a bare hand. Ganza shakers are usually encouraged to make a < shape going up, back to the chest, down, back up to the chest (repeat). For the Tamborims I tend to get them to try an 'on/off' pattern similar to the Agogos adding + for closed on beat 1 + 3 and o for open on beats 2+4. I normally tell Agogo players to put their hand out as if they are shaking someone's hand but in this case the handle of the Agogo. From there I get them to make sure they are keeping close to the instrument and playing using their wrist. I said this goes for all other instruments too.
For more, see my KS2-KS3 Samba book.
I use this for various things...
a) to display to help pupils struggling to read rhythms
b) to help pupils remember the names of Samba instruments
c) to get pupils picking 4 to make up their own rhythms
d) for games such as forbidden rhythms
This mini-scheme could be used with KS2-3 and includes a handful of pentatonic melodies to piece together as a class or in small groups, handy information about the pentatonic scale and some singing to go with the mini-project.
This is the 6th of 6 volumes looking at music in the pop charts, tailored to suit keyboard, ukulele, bass, singing and drums. All charts have been standardised for ease and comes complete with print-out displays for the chords.
James Arthur - You Deserve Better
Ed Sheeran - Perfect
Zed / Maren Morris / Grey - The Middle
Justin Bieber - Sorry
Shawn Mendes - Nothing Holding Me Back
Available in a bundle including all 6 sets as well as from volumes 1 to 3 and volumes 4 to 6.
Also look out for ROCK ANTHEMS vol 1 coming soon…
This is the 2nd of 6 volumes looking at music in the pop charts, tailored to suit keyboard, ukulele, bass, singing and drums. All charts have been standardised for ease and comes complete with print-out displays for the chords.
Camilla Cabello - Havana
Jess Glynne - These Days
George Ezra - Paradise
Justin Timberlake - Say Something
Jax Jones - Introduction
This is the 1 of 6 volumes looking at music in the pop charts, tailored to suit keyboard, ukulele, bass, singing and drums. All charts have been standardised for ease and comes complete with print-out displays for the chords.
Justin Timberlake - Can’t Stop The Feeling
Katy Perry - Chained to the Rhythm
Shawn Mendes - Stitches
Ella Eyre - Came Here For Love
Portugal, The Man - Feel It Still