Grade 1 Music Performing Songs โ Musical instruments Notes
Performing Songs โ Musical instruments
Hello children! ๐ถ Instruments help us sing and play together. Here are simple instruments you can use at school, at home or at a village gathering in Kenya.
๐ฅ
Drum โ Ngoma
Keeps the beat. Hit gently with hands. Use slow or fast beats.
How to hold: Sit the drum on your lap or on the floor. Hands flat, play in the middle.๐ธ
Guitar
Makes chords and melody. Good for songs and singing.
How to hold: Sit and rest guitar on your leg. Strum with finger or pick.๐ช / ๐ช
Shaker โ Rattle
Makes a soft shaking sound. Great for keeping time.
How to use: Shake gently with one hand. Pass to a friend for a turn.๐ช๐ถ
Xylophone / Marimba
Plays simple tunes. You hit bars with a stick.
How to play: Use soft mallets. Tap gently for clear notes.๐ต
Whistle / Recorder
Makes high sounds for melody. Good for short tunes.
How to use: Blow softly. Cover holes to change notes.Using instruments when performing songs
- Listen to the teacher or leader. Try to copy the beat or tune. ๐
- Keep a steady beat. Count 1โ2โ3โ4 and tap once each count. ๐ฅ
- Play softly when many children sing. Too loud can drown the voices. โบ๏ธ
- Take turns. Share instruments. Say โmy turnโ and โyour turn.โ ๐ค
- Sing and play together. Instruments help the song sound happy and strong. ๐ค + ๐ถ
Simple patterns for children
- Drum: Slow beat โ bum (1), bum (2), bum (3), bum (4).
- Shaker: Shake on each count โ shake, shake, shake, shake.
- Xylophone: Play one note on count 1, another on count 3.
- Recorder: Play a short sound at the end of each line of the song.
Fun games and practice activities
- Echo Play: Teacher plays a short beat. Children copy it. Repeat. ๐โก๏ธ๐
- Pass the Shaker: Play while music goes around. When music stops, the child holding it plays a short sound. ๐ถ๐
- Follow the Leader: One child leads a pattern. Others follow with instruments. ๐งโ๐ซ
- Sing with a Beat: Everyone claps the beat while one child plays a simple tune. ๐๐ต
Short song idea (call and response)
Leader: Jambo, hello!
Children: Jambo, hello! ๐ถ
Use a drum for beat: bum - bum - bum - bum. Shakers on โhello!โ
Care and safety
- Do not hit instruments too hard. They can break. ๐ฎ
- Keep instruments clean. Wipe with a cloth. ๐งผ
- Share and be gentle. Let everyone have a turn. ๐ค
- Ask a teacher for help if an instrument is heavy or new. ๐ฉโ๐ซ
Have fun! Practice a little every day. Music brings friends together. ๐ฐ๐ช๐ต
Tip: Use simple local songs and dances (ngoma) to learn instruments. Ask family elders about special songs from your community.