DIY Music Rocks

Teaching music theory to my beginner piano students can sometimes be frustrating, as some of the concepts get a bit abstract.  So sometimes we have to skip the paper and pencil and do some hands-on work.  These DIY music rocks are going to be great for exploring music theory with my piano students.  However, I made them originally for my boys.  Although only four and two, they both already have quite a substantial amount of musical knowledge.  For instance, J loves to use the words Allegro and Largo when talking about fast and slow even if it's in reference to cutting meat at suppertime (e.g., "Mom, I'm cutting Allegro!").  So I figured that they would both enjoy learning some more music theory with these music rocks.

They really rock.  Ha!  You didn't seriously think I would pass up the chance to do a pun, did you?!

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To make your own music rocks, you'll need:

• Rocks
• black acrylic paint
• Mod Podge

I hand painted some eighth notes, eighth rests, quarter notes, quarter rests, half notes, and half rests (or hats as K likes to call them!).  I did two of each symbol.  Once the paint was dry, I covered them with a coat of Mod Podge.

There are lots of ways to play with these music rocks.  Some ideas include:

1. Playing a matching game.  Match the same symbols together (e.g., quarter note and quarter note).
2. Playing a count matching game.  Match the note and rest that have the same note value (e.g., half note and half rest).
3. Compose a rhythm and clap it.
4. Practice note naming on the grand staff using the note rocks (skip the rests for this part).
5. Compose a tune on the grand staff and play it on the piano (see picture below).  I guess you could call the tune "rock music."

J liked to line them up.  He was convinced some of them looked like letters so here he is trying to spell some words.

What other theory games can you think for these music rocks?

Looking for more music activities?  Check out all of my other music activities here or browse my Music Activities board on Pinterest.