Clap, Stomp, Groove!

This fun and funky call-and-response rhythm piece is ideal for teaching rhythm while also developing listening skills and coordination. The framework is set up for the teacher to demonstrate a body percussion rhythm, and then for the students to repeat the rhythm. Every spot on the recording where the teacher demonstrates the rhythm has only a hi-hat cymbal keeping the tempo and no other instruments playing so that it's easy for the students to hear what is being demonstrated.

We have three versions of the recording to give you multiple ways you can use this song. The first (track 9) is a full performance track with both the teacher and student parts included to match the rhythms that are notated in the printed music. You can use this version if you want something for your students to follow while they learn or perform their part.

The second version (track 26) has only the teacher part demonstrated, and the student stomps and claps have been removed. You can use this version if you want to use the rhythms as written in the music, and you want students to perform their responses without assistance.

The third version (which can be found with the online extras) excludes all of the claps and stomps. You can use this version if you want to make up your own rhythms for the students to follow, thus making it more challenging – or easier. The rhythms that we provided are essentially a one measure rhythm that repeats over two measures. Feel free to perform a non-repeating two measure rhythm to make it more invigorating. You can also add other body percussion in addition to the stomps and claps, like snapping and patsching (patting hands on the thighs). You could even incorporate rhythm sticks, if you wish.

Be as creative as you want when using this piece. For example, take turns having a student perform the teacher part for the other students to follow. Have fun coming up with tricky rhythms. You could also have a student (or group of students) perform the teacher part at a concert, and then ask the parents and school faculty members to perform the student/response section as an audience participation moment of your concert.

There is a body percussion part included in this issue on page 49. But for your convenience, we are also including it at our web site so you can download and print as many as you need.