The Kodály method of music education teaches literacy through games, so that students experience the musical concepts rather than just study them.
Clapping Games
A Sailor Went to Sea (Ideal for two or more people, but could work with one as well)
Lyrics:
A sailor went to sea sea sea
To see what he could see see see
But all that he could see see see
Was the bottom of the deep blue sea sea sea
A sailor went to knee, knee, knee
To see what he could knee, knee, knee
. . .
A sailor went to chop, chop, chop
. . .
A sailor went to snap, snap, snap
. . .
A sailor went to knee, chop, snap
. . .
Create your own verse!
Directions:
A (clap hands together) sail(clap your right hand to partner's right hand)or(hands together) went(left hand to left hand) to(clap hands together) sea, sea, sea (both hands clap front, then back, then front with partner)
Repeat pattern with the rest of the verse.
Use the same clapping pattern for each verse but replace see/sea (front, back, front hands together with partner) with:
- Knee, knee, knee (tap knee 3x)
- Chop, chop, chop (chop one arm with the other hand 3x)
- Snap, snap, snap (snap 3x)
- Knee, chop, snap
- Be as creative as you want!
Here is a practice video for you:
And here is how it looks all together:
Bim Bum (One or more players)
This is a fun to follow along video with three levels. Don't be fooled by the first level, it gets a lot more challenging as the game continues! This is an easy way for you and your student(s) to have fun and experience steady beat at the same time. We always had a blast playing this in class - I hope you enjoy it!
Singing Games with Props
I understand that not every household is equipped to have a full blown music lesson, so I have included games in this section that include materials you can easily make at home!
Shanghai Chicken (2 or more players)
Materials needed: Egg shakers (at least one per pair) ***
***Make your own at home by putting dry rice in a plastic Easter eggs and seal with tape (I recommend using clear packing tape cut into smaller strips.)
Lyrics:
Shanghai chicken and it grew so tall
Hoo-day hoo-day
Took that egg a month to fall
Hoo-day hoo-day
Game directions:
First line: Tap egg shaker against leg to the beat
Second line: Toss egg to yourself on first hoo-day both times, then toss to your partner while catching your partner's egg on the second hoo-day.
Third line: Tap egg shaker against leg to the beat
Fourth line: Toss egg to yourself on first hoo-day both times, then toss to your partner while catching your partner's egg on the second hoo-day.
Hickety Picktey (ideal for three or more, but can be played with two.)
Bonus - no materials are needed for this simple and fun game!
Variation: I use numbers 1-5 for my students, but you can stick to just 1-3 - especially if you want to include some younger learners!