It's Drumming Month!

We'll be doing all sorts of drumming activities in music this month.

This week we read Max Found Two Sticks, by Brian Pinkney (Aladdin, 1997). In the story, Max explores different kinds of instruments for tapping.

We talked about all the different things Max drummed on, and what they sounded like.

As you read the book, be sure to watch for how Max responds to each person's question, and the only word Max actually utters.



Then we pulled out our "claves" (music sticks) and tapped along to Hap Palmer's "Tap Your Sticks" from his album Rhythms on Parade (you can download this on itunes, or off amazon). ("Woodpecker" is another fun Hap Palmer drumming song).


Then, we spread out several different kinds of things like boxes, milk jugs, pans, tinfoil, etc. around the room and took turns tapping along to music on each "instrument", just like Max.

You can pick up your own sticks (like Max), or use pencils, spoons, chopsticks, dowels, etc. and tap around the house. See how many different kinds of sounds you can find!


Watch for more drumming activities each week this month!