Body Percussion and Movement

Your Body Is a Musical Instrument!#

Here is something amazing: you already carry a musical instrument with you everywhere you go — your own body! You do not need a trumpet or a piano to make music. You can make music with your hands, feet, mouth, and more!

This is called body percussion.

What Is Body Percussion?#

Body percussion means making sounds by hitting or moving different parts of your body. Musicians around the world use body percussion as a way to create rhythm and beat without any special instrument.

The Main Body Percussion Sounds#

Clapping — Hitting both palms together. You can clap softly (fingers of one hand on the palm of another) or loudly (full open-hand clap). Clapping is the most common body percussion!

Patting — Patting your knees, thighs, or stomach with your open palms. This makes a lower, softer sound than clapping.

Stomping — Bringing your foot down firmly on the floor. Stomping makes a deep, powerful sound. It is great for the strong beats in music.

Snapping — Snapping your fingers together. This makes a sharp, crisp clicking sound. Not everyone can snap fingers easily — that is okay! You can do a quiet clap instead.

Tapping — Tapping a finger on a hard surface like a desk or your own arm.

Rubbing — Rubbing your palms together quickly makes a swishing sound.

Vocalizations — Even sounds from your mouth count! Clicking your tongü, whistling, humming, or making "sh" or "ts" sounds.

Why Use Body Percussion?#

Body percussion is valuable because:

• It is always available — your body is always with you!
• It helps you feel rhythm in your whole body, not just your ears
• It is a great way to practice rhythms before playing an instrument
• It is used in many musical traditions around the world
• It is fun and gets your whole body involved!

Now you know you are already a musician — your instrument is you!