Orff Instrument Exploration - How I Introduce Mallet Instruments to Kindergartners

Kindergarteners get so excited about playing Orff instruments, and I've found this to be a great introductory activity to get them started. The kids get to improvise on various mallet instruments in rotating groups of six, which I've found holds my students attention and keeps the volume level manageable. We also discuss the difference between sopranos, altos and basses as well as xylophones, metallophones and glockenspiels.

[amandalowe]

"Do you like Star Wars??"
"I sure do"
Didn't miss a beat! Gotta love teaching kinders!

[sarahgibbs]

I look up to you so much as a music teacher! Such an inspiration!

[dannycampbell]

I love that you let them play in kindergarten. Your video makes me want to let the little littles play more!!

[hannahc]

At what point in the school year do you usually do this? Do you play with smaller auxillary instruments, boomwhackers, etc before introducing the orff instruments? And do you happen to use the green bell kits as well? Would love to hear about your sequence of introducing different instruments to the little ones. Thanks for this great video! : )

[brianpetersmusic]

Nice presentation! I’m wondering if you are a percussionist because the scalar passage you played is a very common xylophone warm-up. Well done!

[karengustafson]

How long did you give each student on each instrument?

[ashleygrover]

What type of stands do you have? I'm trying to assemble a "wish list" to give my principal but- holy smokes- they're not cheap!

[mollyphelan]

What model of stands do you use? Do you like them? They're so expensive I don't want to buy any unless they're great 😅

[Borokafusion]

Why rush through like a machine assembly line? I wonder what would it take to just allow them the actually get in the zone experiment in their own time freely? Also to have the instrument child height- ergonomically speaking this looks sweet but very left brain instructional as opposed to immersive right brain experiential, which music is about for me at least…