When our oldest daughter was a toddler her little hands would shake like leaves when she was excited about anything. Grandparents at the door, puppies licking her face, Dora on the television; there wasn’t much that wouldn’t get her hands moving.
These days she’s not so little and, as much as I wish they would, her hands don’t shake like they once did. But even though she’s gained control over her extremities, her 11-year-old self can’t compete with the excitement of December.
Yes, on more than one occasion this month, her shaking hands have returned.
And this is a good reminder to us all, and especially piano teachers, that older kids have pent-up excitement, just as their smaller counterparts do. This means, that during December, tweens and teens are going to need to burn some excited energy before they can concentrate on piano lessons.
So today we’re sharing the perfect, energy-burning rhythm activity that will help your tweens and teens concentrate when it’s time to hit the keys.
A Holiday Rhythm Workout For Teen and Tween Piano Players
If you are familiar with our “Sessions Books” (Amadeus Anthems, Beethoven Sessions, etc.), then you know that Trevor and I love to turn, twist and transform classical piano repertoire into motivating pop music. This week we got the urge to have a little fun with a classic Christmas tune and turn it into a holiday rhythm workout.
Good King Wenceslas is getting a 21st-century makeover in today’s Lap Tap Clap piano piece. With this activity, your teens can reinforce their rhythm skills while performing the body percussion accompaniment as you play the Good King Wenceslas pop piano solo. Then, once they’ve had their turn controlling the beat, your teens can hit the keys while you provide the rhythm track.
Today’s activity is based on our WunderKeys Rhythm Rep books. Our first release, WunderKeys Level 3 Rhythm Rep – Lap Tap Clap Revolution has been a huge hit and provides a great teen rhythm workout, in addition to a pumpin’ pop piano solos. Heads up: Next Week WunderKeys Level 2 Rhythm Rep – Lap Tap Clap Activation will also be available on Amazon.
Click here or on the image below to download the Good King Wenceslas Christmas Rhythm Repertoire.
Louise says
I do not see an explanation for what to do with the eighth note rhythm.
Mary says
Hi Louise, you still follow the lap, tap or clap according to the way the stem faces, but change the rhythm accordingly. So stem down means lap, whether it’s crotchet, quaver, semiquaver etc. Stem up is clap whatever rhythm you see, and the Star on stem is use your knuckle. This body percussion is very popular. Thanks Andrea and Trevor for another great resource! Mary
Sylvia Kelly says
I believe it is a general rhythm example at the top of the page. All notes with stems up would be clapped and down stems on the lap, regardless of note value.
My interpretation amyway.