INSTRUMENTS IN PRIMARY SINGING TIME: PRIMARY MUSIC LEADERS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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Learn FAQ's & Advice about Instruments with LDS Primary Songs in Primary Singing Time from Primary Music Leaders

🎵Which instruments do music leaders like to use best and which do you get the most use out of?

🎵How many instruments do I need? Do I need enough for all the kids or do I have them take turns? Or is it different for each instrument?

🎵How often should I use the instruments? 

🎵How do you keep things reverent and not crazy?

🎵How do I come up with the different patterns for the songs?

🎵Is there anyone who has used instruments and did NOT like it?

PLUS CHECK OUT THIS ARTICLE FOR TIPS OR ORGANIZING INSTRUMENTS & PRIMARY MUSIC MATERIALS

WHICH INSTRUMENTS DO MUSIC LEADERS LIKE BEST?

Most common answer: I have and use a little bit of everything! 

Dance Scarves - this link is the biggest set of scarves I could find for the least amount of money.

40 pcs - It's a decent deal). 

Ribbon Wands

Egg shakers - on the cheap: buy plastic eggs and fill with a bit of rice & hot glue shut; link is to the biggest set (40 pcs) for the cheapest price I could find. It's a pretty good deal). 

Paper plates - purchase from dollar store or Walmart

Pool noodle pieces - purchase from dollar store then cut up (4-5 pcs per noodle)

Rhythm sticks - cheaper than any other option here - Walmart 50 pk dowels only $1.12!!!!

Hand bells - several companies make handbells. You can get 10% off an 8-note set from Merry Bells with code ldssp10off.

Plastic cups - purchase at dollar store or Walmart

Others Items That Have Been Used By Primary Music Leaders:

Finger Cymbals - largest set for cheapest price (12 pairs)

Drums (almost anything can be used as a drum)

Egg cartons

Finger Lights

Elastic Headbands - learn more about this in the Rhythms & Ostinatos ebook article HERE.

Kazoos

Flags

Figures on sticks - Let kids conduct, move the stick figures, tap the beat or rhythm, etc. with the figure as they sing. 

*Instrument links will take you to Amazon; As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases.

How many instruments do I need? Do I need enough for all the kids or do I have them take turns? Or is it different for each instrument?

Most common answer: Most have enough instruments for all the kids; no difference for each instrument - but if you can't afford that or it's not possible, you can have kids use instruments and items interchangeably - ex: ribbon wands and dance scarves can be used in the same ways; ex: use egg shakers as rhythms sticks (tap together). 

How often should I use the instruments?

This really is up to each individual music leader. You can use as many instruments/items you'd like each week. Just make sure you change up the pace (contrast in tempo/activities/learning styles, etc.) every 5 - 7 minutes. 

Other Primary Music Leaders Answers: 

--I use one prop a Sunday, about 3 Sundays a month. 

--I rotate between everything, meaning we use them once every few months or so but I use something every week. One week might be scarves, the next eggs, next sticks, next jingle bells, next ribbons, etc. Keeps things fresh.

How do you keep things reverent and not crazy?

First, SET EXPECTATIONS AHEAD OF TIME AND PRACTICE.

How do you pass out/collect instruments? Suggestion: Make a bag of instruments for each primary class, put the bags under each primary teacher's chair and let them pass out and collect items.

Use "FREEZE" if you need to re-set or get attention quickly - or just throw in a few for fun randomly. ;) 

Give the kids some free but controlled instrument playing time. As a music teacher in elementary school, I always gave the kids 10 seconds of "free play" time with their item. As soon as all the kids had their instruments, I told them they had 10 seconds to free play appropriately with their item then when I called freeze, they stop (otherwise they might lose it). This works great because the kids get to "do what they want" with their item and then when we use them within the context of the song, crazy free playing and not paying attention doesn't happen. I do this every time I use instruments. It works great! 

I LOOOOVE this suggestion by SarahLynn Robertson Zavoral: 

Have the kids keep the beat as they sing as you pass out the instruments. 

This prevents power struggles and is more child-friendly. 

How do I come up with the different patterns for the songs?

Make up your own or use online resources:

--Primary Music Leader Squad (PMLS) fb group

--Fb primary music leader group

--Sharla Dance website & yt channel (teachingprimarymusic)

--LDS Primary Printables website

and the AMAZING RESOURCE,

--Rhythms & Ostinatos ebook, which has over 100 pages of rhythm activities for LDS Primary songs - (70% off - - only $9.99 vs. $29.99 - only available with purchase of The Big Book of Primary Singing Time Ideas)  - see picture below.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE RHYTHMS & OSTINATOS

EBOOK IN THE POST HERE.

Is there anyone who has used instruments and did NOT like it?

Involving kids in active song-related activities keeps the kids engaged, entertained, and solidified and reinforces memory. 

Whatever activity you do, make the SONG & SINGING the main focus. 

Sometimes it's ok "just to sing" too. ;) 

MORE SUGGESTIONS FROM PRIMARY MUSIC LEADERS

WHERE TO PUT THE INSTRUMENTS IDEAS

*In backpacks hanging on the chairs

*Under the chairs

*Each class teacher has a bag of instruments for their class

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CHECK OUT THESE OTHER RELATED ARTICLES:

The BEST Primary Music Singing Time INSTRUMENTS

Primary Music Singing Time KITS ON A BUDGET

Primary Singing Time ORGANIZATION

Instruments in Primary Singing Time- FAQ's

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INSTRUMENT RULES

Amy's suggestion: Try to make most of your rules "DO'S" instead of "DON'TS"

Ex: Resting position when not playing vs. Don't play when you aren't suppose to.

Thanks to: Charlene Nelson

We talk about the rules for using different instruments: piano, drum, violin, piano (it's my chance to tell them to not bang on the church pianos) and our voice. Then I explain the rules for using our Primary instruments:

Your voice is your primary instrument. If you can't use both your voice and your instrument at the same time, then we'll just go with the voice.

* Only use as directed and WHEN directed

* No touching other people's instruments

* Not touching other people with your instruments

You get one mistake. On the second mistake there will be a time-out for the instrument. On the third mistake, you will have a 2-week ban.

I set the "instruments" (ribbon wands, egg shakers, clappers, etc) under their chairs before Primary begins and they know not to touch them until it's time. They are very good at obeying. Out of 60 Primary children, I have only had to give one time out to one child. (Maybe it's because I have perfected the Mean Mom look. 😄)

RESTING POSITION - LOVE IT!

Thanks to: Chantel Bailey Smith

I do it just like band—resting position is on the knee. They know that. It gets a bit loud as they are initially passed out, but as soon as I say resting position, they are silent. They know that if they are using it as a toy, it will be taken away. It only had to happen once. If we have time, there’s a minute or so for free playing before turning them back in. But they know resting position.

RULES FOR HANDBELLS

Thanks to: Melinda Alexander

I’ve only done bells but these are the rules I stole from somebody here (in the fb primary music leader group) and they work great! I think you could easily modify them to whatever instrument you’re using.

1. Touch only the handle

2. Play only when it’s your turn

3. Touch the bell to your heart while waiting

4. Sing while you ring

Get 10% off Merry Bells with code: ldspp10off

Thanks to: Melanie Baer

I don't hand them out until I've gone through the song once showing them the pattern to use. (Teachers help me pass out so it's quicker.) I also have rules they need to follow or it gets

taken away:

* Keep in lap until I tell them it's time to play

* Follow my pattern

* Sing with me

* Don't put in your mouth

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