Bucket Drumming Karate - Ninja Level

This is a fun way to establish rhythms with older students from 5th through 12th grade, giving kids a way to not only advance their learning aurally but visually and kinetically all at once! These ten rhythms are more advanced and definitely for the student who has had some musical training, as it includes mixed eighth and sixteenth note rhythms, as well as some basic snare drumming techniques (paradiddles – my favorite!) and syncopated rhythms to read. Students should be challenged but excited about the harder levels, and they should be played slowly at first, on the lap (but warn about using the sticks softly so as not to leave marks from music class!), reading the rhythm and then the L and R hands to establish the beat and get students used to the movements required to be successful as they read the rhythms. Once students have done this a few times in a group, allow for individual practice before bringing students back together.

When working through the levels, it always is best to start slow, and establish the beat prior to playing. It has been my experience that bucket drumming also works very well for introducing students to solo and small ensemble playing, as kids are eager to show off their bucket drumming skills! Have students self-evaluate who has the rhythm correctly and provide the example while the rest tap the rhythm on their lap at the same time, and mix it up, row by row, team against team! Once the unit is finished, with younger students I like to ask each student to come to the front of the room to receive a certificate – I bow to them, they bow to me, and I give them the certificate. It’s a hoot! Enjoy! I have to say this is one of my favorite units to teach, and I love watching my students become bucket drumming karate ninjas!

P.S. It’s pronounced “Kyoo”, something like an extended “Q”. Also if you haven't purchased one of my bucket drumming karate bundles, please be aware that the X marks the stick click!