Grade 1 and 2 Xylophone/Metallophone

 Grade 1 and 2 Xylophone/Metallophone

The Grade 1's and 2's recently had their first Xylophone/Metallophone (Orff instruments) lesson of the year.  They enjoyed playing a chord to the beat during the song 'Falling Leaves'.  

We focussed on gently playing the beat, playing on the middle of the key with our mallets (the bellybutton of the key) and holding our mallets like a turtle.

We are using  a new poster to help with playing the Orff instruments:

We have always talked about 'Bicycle Hands' while holding our mallets  - however they are responding well to thinking about a turtle.  Turtles have long necks and short tails so we need to keep our hands with an open grasp closer to the end of the mallet (by the tail).