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In my role as a faculty member for the World Music Drumming Curriculum, one of my favorite things is to see the teachers in my workshops discover the amazing options to enhance songs, stories, and more with sound effects instruments. It’s incredible to see everyone’s natural creativity come to life as they start to see that these instruments bring a new life and excitement to all of their activities. Not only do they become their students’ favorites, but they help kids with creativity, problem-solving, abstract thinking skills, and more as they start to hear all of the different, unexpected things these sounds can become once you add a little imagination to the mix. Here are just a few of my favorites, along with just a few of the ideas they might illustrate:

American Plating Slide Whistle

Up and down, high and low, sliding, slipping, and swinging back and forth are all words and phrases that take on new life with the addition of a slide whistle.

Basic Beat Sand Blocks

Looking for an illustration for the desert? How about for swishing windshield wipers? Washing clothes? Shuffling down the street? Sand blocks make all the difference!

Basic Beat Stir Xylophone

This one is one of my all-time favorites! Not only is it extremely fun to play, but it works for words about soup, stew, and porridge, wheels going around, and the perennial favorite: googly eyes!

Basic Beat Bell Tree

Nothing illustrates magic, butterflies, or pure excitement like the sound of this beautiful instrument. And, of course, for many of us it always means, “Turn the page!”

Basic Beat Kokoriko

Not only is this one a great way to enforce bilateral movement, but it sounds like shoes clacking on the street, an old fashioned motor coming to life, and the clattering of dishes.

Remo Thunder Tube

A study in the science of sound, the Thunder Tube of course is a must-have for the sounds of a storm, but you might not have thought about how it can roar like a lion or tiger, or be the sound of a jet airplane.

As you think about your favorite songs, books, and poems, consider a few of these to add to yours and your students’ repertoires. I’m guessing you will discover for yourself just how “effect-ive” they really are! Happy Sound Illustrating!

 

Melissa Blum

Melissa Blum

Melissa Blum is our Senior Vice President. She has over 25 years of teaching experience at the pre-K, elementary, middle school, and adult levels. Melissa has been on the World Music Drumming Faculty since 2009, creating and teaching the Drumming Up the Fun! summer workshop for teachers of children ages 3-8.

Melissa regularly presents sessions at state and regional conferences as well as professional development days for elementary music teachers. She has facilitated World Music Drumming ensembles as a team-building exercise at a variety of corporate and community events for children and adults.