These games or warm-up activities are in many respects presented in the spirit of the two earlier lessons ‘Musical Games with Infants’.

The essence of these activities is that the children have fun keeping to the strict rules of a game, be that a rhythm pattern, a speech pattern, a melody, a gesture, a response. The rules become more sophisticated depending on the musical capabilities of the class.

Clapping Games:
Working with Rhythm.

These games are an enjoyable way for children to become familiar with the idea of phrase length and alternating rhythm patterns. Children are also reading rhythm.
If the teacher is teaching certain note-values (e.g. syncopation on two crochet beats), then these can be integrated into the game. The teacher can clap patterns at random or have an organised plan before doing the game.
This game is based on the idea of 4 beats in a bar. 6 different rhythm patterns are written on the Board, 4 of them having the new syncopation in different ways.

Preparation:

• Put up four to six different rhythm patterns on the Board, one directly under the other.
• Number them.
• Put some of the newly introduced syncopated rhythm into some of the rhythms.

• Teacher claps a pattern (one of those on the Board) – Children imitate.
• Teacher claps a different pattern – children imitate.
• Teacher makes it more difficult by asking the children to remember a sequence of patterns (they may refer to the Board for these).
• A child is then asked to lead the game.

Preparation:

• Organise a space in which children can move about freely.
• Have about 4 different instruments that contrast with one another.
• Example A:- (2 opposites) A pair of Indian Bells. A Cymbal or a Gong or a large saucepan lid. (these instruments have metallic qualities but the sound of the little Indian or Hand Bells is in a higher pitch).
• Example B:- A Woodblock. A Glockenspiel or Xylophone (again two very different sounds).

• Teacher appoints a child to play each of the (four) different instruments.
• Children listen to the sound they make.
• Teacher invites comments on the difference between the first two (the Indian bells have a high, twinkly sort of sound, whereas a Gong has a much deeper and fatter sound).
• Similarly with the next two (the Woodblock has a short, static sort of sound, whereas the Glockenspiel, when played with quick sideways movement, has a moving, floating effect).
• Teacher explains the rules for this game, that the children can move in certain ways depending on which instrument they hear,

• The four instrumental players are ‘in charge’, so they have to be able to give each other signals for who goes next.
• Game begins with one instrument sounding continuously, while the class respond with corresponding movement.
• Another instrument takes over and the class change movement accordingly.