Look no further for lesson plans using recorder and handchimes! As music educators, we try to engage as many students as possible in our classroom with hands-on music making. Adding handchimes and non-pitched percussion with recorders is a sure-fire way to heat things up!
With ChimeWorks’ chordal lesson plans, students will learn to harmonize the melodies they sing by ringing the accompanying chords on handchimes. Non-pitched percussion can be improvised to add more rhythmic interest. You might consider doubling the melody on recorder by assigning it to some of your more accomplished students.
Do you have favorite recorder melodies? Consider adding basic chords to the score and have some of your students join in with handchimes. The handchimes will add a rich, harmonic accompaniment that will serve as an in-tune foundation for your little pipers! Consider sharing your successful lesson plans with others by submitting them here.
Here are some ChimeWorks lesson plans that will surely create some pipe dreams:
Starting a new ringing ensemble with music that includes whole notes and half notes is recommended for the first rehearsals. If you are directing a new group this year, you’ll want your music choices to include simpler rhythms in a moderate tempo so that your new ringers can focus on developing their ringing skills even if they are seasoned music readers.