1 Introduction to Bucket Drumming.

This is a video introduction to bucket drumming.

2 Find something at home to use for drumsticks.

Find something at home to use for drumsticks. You could use two wooden spoons, pencils, dowels, or metal spoons.

3 Find something to use for a bucket.

You could use a 5 gallon bucket, ice cream bucket or even a cardboard box.

4 How to hold drumsticks

To hold drumsticks, (or wooden spoons) pinch the stick between your thumb and the knuckle of your pointer finger. Loosely wrap the other three fingers around the stick.

Don’t use a fist grip. Don’t use a pointer grip.

5 Exercise 1 and 2

Exercise 1: Tap each stick on the top of the bucket 8 times with each hand. Repeat 4x

Exercise 2: Tap each stick on the top of the bucket 4 times with each hand. Repeat 4x

R= right hand L=left hand

Try these exercises with the music in the next step, or the following videos.

Repeat the exercises until the music stops.

6 Play Exercise 1 and 2 with music.

Play Exercise 1 and 2 with music.

7 Play Exercise 1 with the video.

Exercise 1: Tap each stick on the top of the bucket 8 times with each hand. Repeat 4x

R= right hand L=left hand

8 Play Exercise 2 with the video.

Exercise 2: Tap each stick on the top of the bucket 4 times with each hand. Repeat 4x

R= right hand L=left hand

9 Exercise 3 and 4

Exercise 3: Practice alternating hands. Repeat 4x

Notice that you start each measure with the right hand.

Exercise 4: Practice a rhythm with 8th notes. Repeat 4x

Continue to start each measure with the right hand.

Try these exercises with the music or videos in the next few steps. Repeat each exercise 4x.

Repeat each exercise as needed until the music ends.

10 Play Exercise 3 and 4 with music.

Play Exercise 3 and 4 with the music.

Repeat each exercise 4x.

Repeat each exercise as needed until the music ends.

11 Play Exercise 3 with the video.

Exercise 3: Practice alternating hands. Repeat 4x

Notice that you start each measure with the right hand.

12 Play Exercise 4 with the video.

Exercise 4: Practice a rhythm with 8th notes. Repeat 4x

Continue to start each measure with the right hand.

13 Play your buckets along with the rhythm patterns.

Play your buckets along with the rhythm patterns.

14 Create your own pattern.

Create your own pattern or patterns.

Remember to start each measure with the right hand.

Try out your pattern with the music in the next step, or with the video in the following step.

15 Play the patterns you've created with the music.

Play the patterns you've created with the music.

Repeat each pattern 4x.

If you can remember exercises 1-2-3-4 play them with the music too!

16 Create your own pattern along with the video.

Create your own pattern or patterns.

Remember to start each measure with the right hand.

17 Try the exercises and your patterns with a song you know.

This link takes you to the Kidzbop recording of Old Town Road.

Try the exercises and your patterns with this song or with a song you like.

18 Assessment Suggestions

Assessment may not be required for your school or district.

Your teacher may ask you to email the bucket patterns that you created.

19 Music IS Literacy

Parents, Teachers and Administration:

Music education is important for children.

Whether in class or at home, keep our children singing, playing, moving, listening and creating music!