My students need drums and a glockenspiel. Using real drums instead of buckets and playing with mallets would immensely benefit my students and their musical experiences.
Imagine a half hour of your day filled with fantastic rhythms, singing, and playing instruments. Imagine learning about other cultures and the way they make music. Now the reality: your drum is only a plastic bucket. This year could be the year that changes, and students can actually MAKE MUSIC.
My students absolutely love music.
They appreciate all types and genres. They love playing instruments and singing. A majority of the 4th - 6th grade students signed up for Chorus, Orchestra, or Band this year. Unfortunately, we live in an area that is financially depressed. Many students and families go without. 100% of the population at my school receives free lunch, as well as free breakfast. The crime rate in our area is very high, and sadly, these kids have witnessed and experienced an extreme amount of trauma.
My Project
The djembes and a glockenspiel would be a fantastic addition to my classroom. Students would have the opportunity to play on real instruments, as well as more fully experience music from other cultures. In addition to using these drums during regular music classes, I would be able to form a drumming ensemble that students of all ages would be able to join, This drumming ensemble would give students a safe environment and productive activity for them to do after school. Furthermore, drumming ensemble would be a great way to motivate students that may have difficulty coming to school, behaving in school, and paying attention in class.
The glockenspiel would allow students to have the opportunity to play melodies on mallet instruments and have students experience the higher timbre of a soprano instrument. It would also allow students more of a chance to play a mallet instrument during class.
At this moment, students are playing buckets instead of drums.
Unfortunately, using proper technique would hurt their hands. The rims of the buckets are tough, and the center of the bucket has plastic that protrudes. Djembes would allow students to be able to drum safely & with proper technique. Drumming with the proper technique would not only benefit their hands, but it would make them better musicians.
Playing mallet instruments would help with music literacy and be beneficial to musicianship
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