Lunar New Year Steady Beat Play-Along (2026 Edition)
The Lunar New Year will be celebrated on February 17 this year, marking the beginning of a new cycle in the lunar calendar. It is the Year of the Horse, a symbol often associated with energy, freedom, speed, and independence. Over the years, I have created a variety of steady beat and boomwhacker/xylophone melody play-along videos that have been enjoyable for many. These resources aim to enhance musical skills while celebrating the rich traditions of this festive occasion.
STEADY BEAT
I created a steady-beat play-along for my preschool and kindergarten musicians. In this video, they will clap their hands, tap their feet, tap their knees, and march in place. The song is Gong Xi, one of my favorite songs our school’s 老师 Lǎoshī taught me many years ago. I hope that you can use this in your classroom. The manipulatives can be found on my Buy Me a Coffee Page (https://buymeacoffee.com/elmusedtech).
NEED A BOOMWHACKER PLAY-ALONG FOR GONG XI?
No problem! Gong Xi Boomwhackers and Xylophone Play Along Slow and Fast (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dW05796vpec) - I created this play-along because my students know the song well. The Lǎoshī (老师) that worked at our school taught the students this song and they loved it so much that we sing it every year. This play-along is played twice. The first time is a slow tempo to practice and the second time is the recorded tempo. I used Flat.io to create the notation to help with playing the song. This song ends with a slide of Happy Chinese New Year because, at the time that I created this, the students at our school studied Mandarin.
Gong Xi Adapted Play Along (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLaVyM4k2qs) - This is one I used in my hybrid teaching scenario so those in class could use the xylophones and those at home could use the playxylo.com app. It is a very simple manipulative for younger players. We first performed the rhythm patterns separately. They appear on the screen as separate rhythm patterns. We did talk about the four-beat patterns, but we have not introduced the meter yet.
Find Me Here!
That Music Podcast: A Podcast for Elementary Music Teachers:
Does Technology Belong in Elementary Music? Tools That Make Teaching Easier with Amy Burns
TMEA Wednesday, February 11, 2026 3:00 PM CC214A
Design Creative Resources for Your Music Classroom
Join me to learn about various ways to create resources and manipulatives from print to digital to video for your music classes!
Need ideas for Upper Elementary? Join us February 14-16!
Music Tech for Grades 3-5 with Amy M. Burns
Have you been looking for ideas for your upper elementary music lessons that keep your students engaged? The Music Room Meet-Up was created to help you engage your upper elementary students. We kick off on February 14, with 3 days of presentations, filled with songs and ideas for your Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Grade students! Get all the details and grab your free ticket!
Grab your free ticket here: https://aileensmusicroom.com/the-music-room-meet-up-february-2026/#sec1
NJMEA: February 19-21
Join me at NJMEA for three sessions involving movement, recorders/boomwhackers/ukuleles/barred instruments, and technology! Our elementary academy features Bill Henry from Mr. Henry's World!