Knowledge Base
Welcome to the Percussion Play online knowledge base, which hosts a collection of articles and features surrounding the benefits of music and outdoor musical instruments to help you find the information you need right now.
With interest in outdoor musical instruments growing internationally, Percussion Play aims to help its customers stay up to speed through its guides, best practice advice, resources, blog, and social media sites. Be sure to keep checking in as the library grows.
Welcome to Bite-Size Beats - a series of articles that explore the application of outdoor musical play within early years education settings.
These articles are designed to share ways to easily incorporate music into your provision with simple, fun activities, plus more in-depth information exploring the benefits of outdoor musical play.
With eight articles in the series, we aim to bring fresh ideas that can be used to support your curriculum, introduce the concept of using outdoor musical instruments and enthuse our readers with the possibilities of music in the open air.
If you feel that outdoor music would be of benefit to your school or early years setting, we hope you find the following useful:
Outdoor Musical Instruments Help in The Race to Prevent Nature-Deficit Disorder
Including Music in Continuous Provision
Making Play Limitless – Music in Open-Ended Play
Using Musical Instruments to Improve Core Stability
Teaching Children About the World Through Music
The Expression of Emotion Through Music
Storytime / Drama / Performance / Active Listening & Rhythm
Let’s Explore The Magical Pentatonic Scale For Early Years
Outdoor Musical Instruments Help in The Race to Prevent Nature-Deficit Disorder
The worry about children spending too much time indoors has become so great that it has been given its own term - ‘Nature Deficit Disorder’ or NDD. Although it's not a recognized medical condition, concerns about its effects on young people’s well-being are attracting widespread attention.
There is too much at stake to accept the situation as an inevitable consequence of modernity, and it's the joint responsibility of parents, educators, and urban planners to help this ‘indoor generation’ easily and safely spend more time outside and reconnect with the natural world - wherever they are located. Watching a class of children playing outdoor instruments proves that, when given the opportunity, life outdoors is still something children benefit significantly from and, more importantly, enjoy.
Including Music in Continuous Provision
Written by Kate Mannerings
Kate joined the Percussion Play team, having come from a background in Early Years education. She has written articles intended to support practitioners in early years settings. Here she has shared her ideas and thoughts on how musical instruments can be made available as continuous provision without the need to issue ear defenders!
With the benefits of music within continuous provision being so numerous, it would be a shame not to include the resources in our everyday environment. With the proper demonstration, clever positioning of instruments, and the opportunity for children to revisit the skills they have learned, musical discovery play can be fun and harmonious.
Making Play Limitless – Music in Open Ended Play
Written by Kate Mannerings
Kate joined the Percussion Play team having come from a background in Early Years education. She has written a series of articles intended to support practitioners within early years settings. Here she has shared her ideas and thoughts on how musical play has endless scope for improvisation and learning through play.
Using Musical Instruments to Improve Core Stability
Written by Kate Mannerings
Kate joined the Percussion Play team, having come from a background in Early Years education. Intended to support practitioners within early years settings, she has shared her ideas and thoughts on how outdoor musical instruments can be used to aid the development of physical skills, as well as to support communication, encourage expression and build self-esteem.
It’s that time of year again. You’re faced with a new cohort filled with unknown personalities, abilities, and skills. Where do you start? And more importantly, are they ready?
Outdoor music can be a valuable tool to aid the development of physical skills, as well as being proven to support communication, encourage expression, and build self-esteem.
Teaching Children About the World Through Music
It is essential to begin teaching children diversity throughout their early childhood to promote socialization, tolerance, respect, care, and openness. Music, as a crucial element of culture, is an excellent place to begin early discussions about diversity and inclusion.
The Expression of Emotion Through Music
Occasionally it can be hard to express our emotions verbally; we find ourselves unable to find the ‘right’ words to say how we feel. This can be particularly difficult for children and young people. Music can allow children to express themselves, unleash their creativity, be inspired and uplifted, relax, and relieve stress and tension.
Storytime / Drama / Performance / Active Listening & Rhythm
During elementary school, facilitating fun, memorable, and joyful learning is key to bringing out the best in every child’s school experience.
We explore how it can open up new worlds of imagination, listening, and joyful learning and opportunities to grow phonological skills more easily for students by incorporating music into literacy classes.
Let’s Explore The Magical Pentatonic Scale For Early Years
Music plays a unique role in promoting fun, interactive activities that help infants develop language, motor skills, and cognitive abilities. When approached correctly, music time should encourage them to take risks and make mistakes, while quietly fostering self-confidence, spontaneity, creativity, and originality.
The pentatonic scale is excellent for improvised ensembles; you can play around and never hit anything inordinately dissonant. The word pentatonic comes from the Greek word ‘Pente,’ meaning five (think pentagon or pentathlon), and tonic, meaning tone; put them together, and you get five tones or notes. Simply put, the pentatonic scale consists of five notes within one octave; that's why it is sometimes referred to as a five-tone or five-note scale. The notes in the pentatonic scale naturally sound good in any order because there are no dissonant intervals between them.
Providing musical experiences for family audiences is a valuable way to advance a thriving museum’s mission, expand its audience, and strengthen its place within the community
Making music brings people together like nothing else, and offering quality musical opportunities - on real instruments – for spontaneous music-making provides a gateway to the performing arts and an engaging family learning experience.
Melodies in Bloom: The Enchanting Fusion of Music and Pollinator Gardens for Community and Nature
Discover the combination of outdoor musical instruments and pollinator gardens, creating a unique blend that enhances community spaces and supports the environment. Learn how these elements engage the senses, bring communities together, protect pollinators, and provide education on sustainability. Embrace the benefits of integrating music with nature for a profound environmental connection
Positive Effects of Family Bonding Through Playing Music Together
Great family connections and having fun together can have an incredibly positive impact on the development of our children - socially, emotionally, and cognitively. More than that, it can also be profoundly helpful for our relationships with each other - children and adults alike. What better way, then, to spend some good old-fashioned fun and creative quality time with the whole family than by playing music altogether?
6 Ways Outdoor Musical Instruments Can Harmonize your Camp, Ignite Creativity and Unite Guests
Integrating outdoor musical instruments into the summer camp experience offers a harmonious blend of education, inclusivity, and enjoyment. These instruments not only provide a unique platform for musical exploration and environmental education but also cultivate a host of social and cognitive benefits. As campers gather around to strike, slap, and play these instruments under the canopy of nature, they're not just making music—they're forging connections, building character, and creating memories that resonate long after the summer has faded.
'Pocket Music Parks' are Keeping the Arts Alive Some Cities
Many people do not have regular access to musical instruments. Therefore, it's an exciting opportunity to introduce music-making using real instruments in the public spaces where they live, work, and commute. Everyday locations can be transformed into inclusive, inspiring, and musically creative environments that are accessible to all community members.
Music Solutions & Tips For Your Outdoor Music Area
In this article, we will explore seven simple and affordable ways to include musical instruments in your outdoor space. The goal is to make the environment more inclusive and musically enriched. These suggestions are aimed at improving the attractiveness and usefulness of any outdoor setting, providing an enjoyable and harmonious experience for all.
With the Future of Music Education Under Threat - Could Libraries Be the New Champions of Music?
In recent years, we have collaborated with various innovative libraries, regardless of size and location, that have used their outdoor areas to develop inspiring music gardens and courtyards. These spaces aim to ensure equal access to music participation within their communities.
With the future of music education and the arts under threat, libraries may hold the key to securing their long-term availability and becoming the new music champions for the young and the young at heart.
Unlocking Joy: The Power of Outdoor Musical Adventures for Seniors
Enhance the ambiance of senior living facilities by incorporating outdoor musical instruments into their outdoor spaces, a unique and innovative approach that goes beyond traditional recreational activities. This creative strategy promotes physical activity among seniors, encouraging a healthier lifestyle and significantly improving their overall well-being. By engaging in musical play, seniors can experience an uplift in mood and increase social interaction, leading to a more vibrant and cohesive community. Outdoor musical instruments in senior living settings are an excellent way to combine the therapeutic effects of music and nature, making it a trending topic in discussions about improving the quality of life for the elderly. Discover the benefits of implementing these musical elements and how they transform senior living experiences.
The Healing Power of Music: Musical Memorial Gardens and Tributes for Loved Ones
Discover the beauty of honoring loved ones with musical memorials. Our selection of outdoor musical instruments offers a heartfelt way to pay tribute to individuals with a love for music and the outdoors. From custom engravings to diverse styles and tones, find the perfect memorial gift that resonates with their unique spirit. Celebrate the life and passions of your loved ones with a lasting legacy that harmonizes with nature.
Healing Through Rhythm and Sound
Music therapists and therapy programs are increasingly using drums and rhythm to promote healing and self-expression. Drumming can be very therapeutic, helping individuals connect with their inner selves and providing a fun way to relax and rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul. Recent research indicates that drumming accelerates physical healing, boosts the immune system, and promotes feelings of well-being.
Study results demonstrate that drumming is a valuable treatment for a wide range of conditions including stress, fatigue, anxiety, hypertension, asthma, chronic pain, arthritis, dementia, mental illness, migraines, cancer, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, stroke, paralysis, emotional disorders, ADHD, people with learning difficulties, a wide range of physical disabilities, as well as for recovering addicts, older people, troubled adolescents, and prisoners.
Striking a Chord: Engaging Children with Unique Learning Needs Through Outdoor Musical Play
Outdoor musical instruments in the playground provide a non-threatening and fun outlet for creative and emotional expression. Many essential life skills can be learned through the medium of music. Music can profoundly affect anyone, but the benefits of exposing a child with disabilities to music can be huge. Outdoor musical instruments help create genuinely inclusive play spaces and play opportunities for children who may not usually have access to all equipment.
A Brief Guide On How To Create The Perfect Music Park or Trail
Outdoor music projects often start with a vision of a person or a small group of people who passionately believe that music is something absolutely everyone in their local community should have the opportunity to access and enjoy. Thinking of taking the plunge? This guide has been written to assist anyone tasked with delivering an inclusive music project for their community and help you bring your project ideas to life.
A music park or musical trail will provide a place for individuals, families, or groups of friends to stroll, unwind and create music together in a fun and carefree way. They’re a great way to encourage more people to get involved in music-making and provide an interactive sculpture for visitors to enjoy a family-friendly experience. By following our guide, design an inclusive playground that will promote enriching play experiences for all.
How the Playground Standards impact Musical Play Equipment & Inclusive Playgrounds
The play equipment industry is constantly changing - with new products, materials, and components being introduced to the market every year. New designs are helping to change our approach to how children play, with play professionals and manufacturers continuing to push the envelope in play equipment design. Conjointly, playground safety has significantly improved over the past 25 years through considerable improvements in the creation of playground equipment and the introduction of industry standards.
The changes in playground standards seem to go some way in recognizing the diverse and current trends in play equipment design, thinking beyond the typical climber, slide, and swing. With a welcome advance in helping communities succeed in creating inclusive play environments, the standards now recognize new equipment that children of all abilities can easily play on and love - such as musical instruments.