53: Bucket Drumming for Beginners: Ideas, Benefits, and How to Get Started in your Homeschool

Discover the engaging world of bucket drumming in homeschool music education with host Gena Mayo in this enlightening episode of the Music in Our Homeschool podcast. Learn how this budget-friendly approach to teaching rhythm can transform your homeschool music lessons without breaking the bank.

In Episode 53: Bucket Drumming, Mayo shares valuable insights on implementing percussion education using simple five-gallon buckets that cost as little as $2 or may even be available for free from local stores. This accessible method offers an excellent alternative to expensive traditional drum sets and costly private lessons.

The episode explores fascinating research from Northwestern University linking rhythmic proficiency to enhanced language skills and cognitive development. Listeners will learn about the numerous health benefits of drumming, including stress reduction, immune system boosting, and improved social connections.

Key topics covered include:

• Essential rhythm education for beginners
• DIY bucket drumming materials and setup
• Cost-effective alternatives to traditional percussion instruments
• Scientific benefits of rhythm training
• Practical teaching techniques and resources
• Online learning platforms for structured lessons
• Creative composition activities for students

Mayo also introduces valuable resources like bucketdrumming.net and her own Bucket Drumming Printable Activities, available through Teachers Pay Teachers. Plus, listeners can access a complete 15-minute bucket drumming lesson through the Music in Our Homeschool Plus membership's premium level.

Whether you're a seasoned homeschool educator or just beginning your music education journey, this episode provides practical tips, scientific insights, and affordable solutions for incorporating rhythm training into your curriculum. Perfect for homeschooling families seeking engaging, cost-effective ways to enhance their music education program through hands-on percussion activities.

Find all links to resources mentioned in this episode here: https://musicinourhomeschool.com/bucket-drumming-for-beginners-ideas-benefits-and-how-to-get-started-e53/

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Transcript

Bucket Drumming (E53)

[00:00:00] Welcome to the Music in Our Homeschool podcast, I'm Gena Mayo, and today we're talking about one of the most engaging and budget friendly ways to teach rhythm in your homeschool, bucket drumming. Whether you're looking for bucket drumming ideas to spice up your homeschool music lessons, or searching for an easy way to introduce percussion to your kids, this episode is packed with practical tips. No drum set required. Let's get started with Bucket Drumming for Beginners.  

Why is rhythm essential for beginning music education? Rhythm is at the core of all music. It's what gives notes their energy, movement, and structure. Unfortunately, many students miss out on developing a strong rhythmic foundation, often due to affordability or lack of opportunity.

Traditional drum sets can cost hundreds of dollars, and private drum lessons start around 40 dollars an hour. But what if I told you there's a [00:01:00] fun, accessible, and budget friendly way to teach rhythm in your homeschool? Enter bucket drumming. 

Before we jump into the practical side of bucket drumming for beginners, did you know that there are actually incredible health benefits of drumming? Drumming has been an essential part of human culture for thousands of years. Research shows that drumming can boost your immune system, reduce stress and anxiety, and and increase social connections with others.

Drumming can even support cognitive development. A groundbreaking study from Northwestern University uncovered a fascinating connection between rhythmic proficiency and language skills. You can see the link to that over in the corresponding blog post. Check the show notes for the link. Researchers found that high school students who could accurately tap along to a steady beat demonstrated more consistent neural responses to speech sounds. This link between beat keeping [00:02:00] ability and the neural encoding of speech has significant implications for reading and language development. The study suggests that the synchronization between the brain's auditory and motor areas, crucial for keeping a beat, also plays a vital role in language processing.

These findings not only provide biological evidence for the relationship between rhythm and language, but also hint at the potential benefits of musical training language abilities. And I have a and I have several podcast episodes about this. So I will link those in the show notes as well. 

Now let's head to what is bucket drumming. Bucket drumming is exactly what it sounds like. It's using an ordinary bucket as a drum. It's an affordable and accessible way to learn percussion. Music teachers and homeschoolers love it because a five gallon bucket can cost as little as $2 or you could even get them for free [00:03:00] sometimes from a grocery store, hardware store, deli, or bakery. Just check and let them know what you're doing. They might have an extra to give you. 

Drumsticks can range from seven to ten dollars a pair or you can make your own and I'll talk about that in a little bit. Buckets are lightweight, durable, and portable. Much easier to move than a drum set.

I first discovered bucket drumming through our homeschool co op a number of years ago when a couple of my kids were in the fourth through sixth grade class and their teacher taught them how to do bucket drumming. They used a simple green bucket and dowel rod sticks. To make the sticks more durable and unique, the kids wrapped their drumsticks in colorful duct tape which also helped them keep track of their own pair. And I have a tutorial video in the corresponding blog post to this podcast episode. 

Through bucket drumming, my kids learned three key skills. They learned to [00:04:00] read and play new rhythms. They learned to improvise, both alone and in groups. And they learned drumming while chanting or singing at the same time. It was such a fantastic experience that I knew I wanted to share bucket drumming with more homeschool families. 

If you are interested in structured bucket drumming lessons you can check out bucketdrumming. net. This online school created by music teacher Sammy Foster is one of the largest resources for bucket drumming education. You can get a monthly or annual subscription and get access to over 150 video tutorials including play alongs to top 40 hits, ear training lessons, sheet music, and lesson plans, and performance ideas. It's an affordable alternative to private drum lessons and a great way to add rhythm training to your homeschool if you'd like a bucket drumming plan for your students. 

However, there are some ways to [00:05:00] DIY your bucket drumming experiences. I've created a guide called Bucket Drumming Printable Activities, and it's available at my Teacher's Pay Teacher store. I also have a full 15 minute music lesson on bucket drumming inside the premium level of the Music in Our Homeschool Plus Membership.. 

What I love about this lesson and printable guide is that it encourages the students to make up their own compositions. They get flashcards that tell them to play a specific technique such as hitting the sticks together, playing eighth note or quarter note rhythms, And hitting the rim of the drum. The kids can mix and match them to compose an original song.

Bucket drumming is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to teach rhythm in your homeschool. It's fun, engaging, and packed with educational and health benefits. So why not give it a try? 

If you found this episode today helpful, please share it with other homeschooling [00:06:00] families. And don't forget to subscribe to the Music in Our Homeschool podcast for more music and fine arts education tips and resources.

Happy drumming!

Find all links to resources mentioned in this episode here: https://musicinourhomeschool.com/bucket-drumming-for-beginners-ideas-benefits-and-how-to-get-started-in-your-homeschool-e53/