Boomwhackers in the Elementary Music Classroom: Teaching Tips, Play-Alongs, and Ideas
Your students are excited to play Boomwhackers—but how do you turn that excitement into listening, teamwork, and music making? From establishing a rest position to choosing play-alongs, here are some of my favorite tips and resources to help you get started.
Recently, I joined Eric Young and Dr. Mary Birkner for “Fun with Classroom Instruments: Bring Your Instrument and Play Along!” Sponsored by MusicFirst Elementary, this webinar explored resources and teaching ideas for barred instruments, ukuleles, Boomwhackers, and recorders.
My favorite part? Teachers could take away ideas to use with any curriculum or teaching approach. We showcased MusicFirst Elementary’s resources, but the teaching tips, classroom stories, and suggestions could be brought into many elementary music classrooms.
Below are the Boomwhacker tips and resources I shared, along with some things I have learned from using them with my students.
Why Do I Love Using Boomwhackers?
Students can begin making music right away.
Whether students are new to your classroom or have been making music with you for years, Boomwhackers offer an approachable way to join in. A simple pattern can get everyone listening and playing together.
You can build your collection over time.
When planning a class set, compare prices and think about the pitches you need for the activities you want to teach. Octave caps are also an option to consider when exploring lower sounds.
Students can see the connection between size and pitch.
I love weaving science into music class! Comparing longer and shorter Boomwhackers gives students a way to explore the relationship between an instrument’s length and its sound. This can be a wonderful connection for students who love science.
Playing together gives students a reason to listen to one another.
Each student’s note contributes to the music. Students practice watching, waiting, and playing at the right time while hearing how their part fits into the whole.
Different play-along formats offer different learning opportunities.
When I first saw vertical Boomwhacker play-alongs, I wondered how they would fit into my teaching. Traditional notation moves from left to right, so why use a different format?
After using both, I found value in each. Horizontal play-alongs can support following musical patterns from left to right, especially when notation is included. Vertical play-alongs can help students notice which pitches sound together and hear chord changes. The game-like presentation is also something many of my students enjoy!
Looking for Your Next Boomwhacker Play-Along?
Here are the resources I shared during the webinar. Explore them to find a starting point that fits your students, your available pitches, and your musical goals.
Want to try one of these ideas in your next class? Choose a short play-along, practice your playing and rest positions, and give students a chance to explain the directions before you begin.
If you would like to explore the resources we demonstrated during the webinar, try MusicFirst Elementary and take a look at its Boomwhacker materials.
What is your students’ favorite Boomwhacker play-along? Share it in the comments—I’m always happy to find another one to try!