12 Fun Body Percussion Play Along Videos to Teach Music Rhythm Reading
Get your kids moving and engaged with these body percussion play along videos for early elementary and upper elementary music classes.
Some of the links on our site are affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.
Are you short on classroom instruments? Need to get your students engaged and moving? Body percussion play-along videos can be a lifesaver for the elementary music classroom. They are perfect rhythm activities to reinforce specific rhythm reading skills and kids LOVE them. They require no instruments or other supplies. Simply project the video and you are good to go.
Turn one on when you have a few minutes at the end of class or when your students need a change of pace. And, these simple, no-prep music activities may easily be delivered by a substitute teacher!
These FUN videos build music literacy and performance skills with easy icon notation for early elementary grades and more advanced standard notation for older students. The music elements and rhythm patterns practiced in each video are included in the descriptions below. Enjoy!
Note: Be sure to preview any activity before you use it in your classroom and set guidelines for your students. A few of these videos have “dance breaks” which give students an opportunity to improvise. Depending on the amount of space and the configuration of your classroom, you may want to provide a little more structure.
Sunday Best by Surfaces
With a moderate tempo and infectious melodies, learning and practicing a steady beat becomes a fun music activity for multiple grade levels. The positive message is a BIG bonus. Thank you to Music with Ms. Robyn for creating and sharing this body percussion play-along video.
Music Elements – Iconic Notation
- Steady beat
The Best Day Ever from Sponge Bob Square Pants
This steady beat body percussion activity was created by Music with Ms. Robyn and her third-grade students. Consider challenging your students to create their own simple body percussion to another uplifting positive song.
Music Elements – Iconic Notation
- Steady beat
We Don’t Talk About Bruno from Encanto
This simple steady beat body percussion created by Music with Mrs. Kincaid is easy enough for your early elementary students.
Music Elements – Iconic Notation
- Steady beat patterns
- Quarter rest (standard notation)
Cloudy Day by Tones and I – Easy Version
Bring some sunshine into your cloudy day! 😊 Thank you to Ms. Flatebo for creating and sharing this uplifting and energetic body percussion music activity. Practicing steady beat is anything but boring with this video.
Music Elements – Iconic Notation
- Steady beat patterns
- Quarter rest (standard notation)
Cloudy Day by Tones and I – Advanced
Need a little more challenge? Try this advanced version also by Ms. Flatebo.
Be Kind by Zak Abel
This song conveys the perfect message as your students join in with simple body percussion patterns. Thank you to Music with Ms. Robyn for creating and sharing this play along!
Music Elements – Iconic Notation
- Steady beat patterns
- Quarter/eighth notes
Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder
Thank you to Jennifer Wentworth for this fun, engaging, and attainable body percussion music activity. This classic song by Stevie Wonder was written as a tribute to the jazz legend Duke Ellington. Consider using this activity to kick off a jazz unit.
Music Elements – Iconic Notation
- Steady beat patterns
- Eighth note patterns
- Quarter rest (standard notation)
- “Dance Party” breaks
Happy by Pharrell Williams
This song will energize your classroom and put a smile on everyone’s face. The upbeat tempo makes this one a little tricky for early elementary. Thank you to Ms. Feyh’s Music Resources for creating and sharing this body percussion video.
Music Elements – Iconic Notation
- Steady beat patterns
- Eighth note patterns
- Quarter rest (standard notation)
- Dance breaks
I Just Can’t Wait to Be King from The Lion King
Thank you to Music with Mrs. Gibbs for creating and sharing this FUN body percussion play along from Disney’s The Lion King. This video includes standard music notation along with body percussion icons.
Music Elements – Standard and Iconic Notation
- Quarter note/rest
- Eighth notes
- Half notes
- Dance break
Better When I’m Dancing by Meghan Trainor
This feel-good song will put a smile on your students’ faces even on a “rainy” day. Thank you to Irene Smykowski for creating this body percussion activity and brightening the days of so many kids and teachers.
Music Elements – Iconic Notation
- Steady beat patterns
- Quarter rest (standard notation)
- Dance breaks
Try Everything by Shakira
This fun and attainable body percussion was created by ItzMusicTime. There’s a GREAT message, your kids are moving, and they are practicing music reading skills! It’s a WIN, WIN, WIN!
Music Elements – Standard and Iconic Notation
- Quarter notes/rest
- Eighth notes
- Dance breaks
Dynamite by BTS
Thank you to Mrs. Wade Music for creating and sharing this engaging activity that your elementary music students are sure to love.
Music Elements – Iconic Notation
- Quarter notes
- Quarter rest (standard notation)
- Eighth notes
- Dance breaks
Can’t Stop That Feeling by Justin Timberlake
This is another song that is guaranteed to put a smile on your kids’ faces. Thanks again to
ItzMusicTime! for notating and sharing this fun elementary music activity.
Music Elements – Iconic Notation
- Steady beat
- Quarter note/eighth notes
- Quarter rest (standard notation)
- Dance break
Bim Bum | Clapping Game Song
This catchy melody and clapping pattern are infectious and fun! But, it’s tricky to master. Visual Musical Minds does a FABULOUS job of starting slow and gradually increasing the tempo.
The first few times you try this activity practice it at the slower speed only. Stop the video and repeat it a couple of times. As your students progress try it at the faster tempos. Enjoy!
Music Elements – Iconic Notation
- Steady Beat
- Changing Tempos
Conclusion
Who needs “brain breaks” in the music classroom? Our normal elementary music lesson plan activities ARE brain breaks. Body percussion videos will have your students engaged and moving while reinforcing and practicing rhythm reading skills. And the positive messages are inspiring and motivating for students and teachers.
Play along videos can be a lifesaver if you need a long-term sub, during indoor recess days, party days, or any time you have a few extra minutes.
Bookmark and SHARE THIS POST to help other elementary music teachers find it.
P.S. If you are counting, there are actually 13 videos in this post. I have a LOT of favorites. And, thanks again to all of the talented music educators and creators who made and posted these inspiring, fun videos. 😊
Meet the Author
Terri Lloyd is a former elementary music teacher with over 25 years of experience. She holds a Bachelor of Music, a Master of Science in Education, and a Technology Certificate in Instructional Design.
She is currently active in music education through blogging, workshops, and curriculum development. She serves on the music staff at her church and volunteers for an after-school children’s program. Terri is an active musician in the community, performing in a local Big Band, pit orchestras, and various events.