Rhythm Band

Here is a rhythm band idea.  Play a song that you can feel a steady beat.  I like to use Lyle Lovett's "Long Tall Texan."  

Keep a steady beat by counting 1, 2, 3, 4 over and over again.  How about playing with a friend?  Use the chart below to play along.  Wait?  What if you don't have a tambourine, sticks, triangle or drums at home?  What could you use?  See below for ideas.

• I think the tambourine is tricky, you want to find a metallic shaky ringing sound.  You could put washers, nuts, bolts or screws in a plastic Easter egg!
• For sticks use two wooden spoons and hit them together.
• To get a metallic ringing sound, like a triangle, try hitting silverware together.
• Drums are fun!  You could use a box with the wooden spoon as a mallet, the bottom of a pan or even an empty ice cream bucket.

To make your own homemade instruments, there are several websites to check out.  Here are two to get you started!  Red Tricycle Homemade instruments and Nancy's Homemade instruments.