Grade 3 Music Musical Instruments – Dance Notes
Dance
Subject: Music • Topic: Musical Instruments • Subtopic: Dance
What is dance? 🕺💃
Dance is moving the body to music. People of all ages dance at celebrations, school events and in our communities. Dance often follows the rhythm (beat) that musical instruments make.
How musical instruments help dance 🎶
- Instruments make the beat so dancers know when to move. (The beat is the steady pulse.)
- Different instruments set the speed: slow or fast. This is called tempo.
- Percussion (drums, shakers) give strong rhythms dancers can follow.
Kenyan instruments used for dance 🪘🥁🎵
🥁 Ngoma (Drum)
A big drum used across Kenya. It gives a strong beat for dancers.
🎸 Nyatiti (Lyre)
A string instrument from western Kenya. It plays melodies that singers and dancers enjoy.
🎻 Orutu (One-string fiddle)
A small string instrument that makes lively sounds for dancing.
🪘 Kayamba (Shaker)
A flat shaker made from reeds or tin. It makes a steady sound to keep the rhythm.
🪈 Chivoti (Flute)
A simple flute that plays the tune while dancers move.
🎹 Marimba / Xylophone
Wooden keys that make pretty melodies for joyful dances.
Simple music words to know
- Beat: the steady pulse (like a clock).
- Rhythm: pattern of long and short sounds.
- Tempo: how fast or slow the music goes.
- Melody: the tune you can hum.
Fun activities to try (home or class)
Activity 1 — Clap the beat
Teacher or parent plays a drum or claps slowly. Count out loud: 1 2 3 4.
Try this pattern:
1️⃣ 👏 2️⃣ 👣 3️⃣ 👏 4️⃣ 👣
(Clap on 1 and 3, stamp on 2 and 4.)
Activity 2 — Make a shaker
- Find a small plastic bottle. Put rice or dried beans inside (a little).
- Close the lid tightly and decorate the bottle with paper or tape.
- Shake on the beat while friends clap or dance.
Activity 3 — Simple 4-step dance
Follow the beat and do these moves slowly, then faster:
- Step right (1), step left (2).
- Step forward (3), step back (4).
- Add hands up on the 1 and clap on the 3.
Respect and safety
- Ask before you use an instrument that belongs to someone else.
- Keep a safe space when dancing — no running into others.
- Respect cultural dances and ask to learn from elders or teachers.