Hip Hop and Vivaldi: A new Body Percussion play-along for your classroom!

Louise
Feb 3
3 min read

I don't know about you, but this Winter has felt long, cold and wet. In fact, the beautiful poem that Vivaldi used to inspire his music describes it perfectly:

“Frozen and shivering in the icy snow,

Under the battering of a terrible wind

Run stamping your feet every moment,

Teeth chattering in the cold.”

Recently, I created a YouTube video featuring a body percussion rhythm play-along to Vivaldi's Winter, set to a hip hop beat. This combination offers a fresh, accessible way for students to connect with classical music while feeling the rhythm clearly through body percussion and hip hop grooves. If you are not already using body percussion and video play-alongs, read on to discover the benefits of incorporating videos like these into your classroom repertoire!

Body Percussion Works Well in Music Education

Body percussion uses the body as an instrument—clapping hands, snapping fingers, stomping feet, and patting the chest or thighs. It requires no equipment and can be done anywhere, making it an ideal activity for classrooms.

Enhances rhythmic skills: Students develop a strong sense of timing and pulse by physically producing rhythms.
Improves coordination: Combining different body sounds challenges students to coordinate multiple limbs.
Builds listening skills: Students must listen carefully to match rhythms and stay in sync with the group.
Encourages active participation: Everyone can join in, regardless of musical background or instrument skills.
Promotes creativity: Students can experiment with creating their own rhythms and sounds.
Develops notation reading skills: Students become familiar with the patterns as they repeat them and can then use these transferable skills with other pieces of music.

Using body percussion with a familiar classical piece like Vivaldi’s Winter helps students connect with the music in a tactile and memorable way.

The Role of Hip Hop Beats in Making Classical Music Accessible

Hip hop is known for its strong, clear beats and rhythmic complexity. Adding a hip hop beat underneath Vivaldi’s Winter creates a bridge between classical and contemporary music styles.

Clarifies the beat: The steady hip hop rhythm helps students feel the pulse clearly, making it easier to follow the music.
Engages young listeners: Hip hop’s popularity among youth makes the classical piece feel more relevant and exciting.
Encourages groove and movement: The beat invites students to move naturally, reinforcing rhythm through body percussion.
Supports diverse learning styles: Combining classical melodies with hip hop rhythms appeals to auditory, kinesthetic, and social learners.

This fusion opens doors for students who might find classical music intimidating or distant, making it approachable and fun.

How to Use the Video in Your Classroom

Here are some practical tips for integrating the body percussion rhythm playalong video into your music lessons:

Start with listening: Play the video and ask students to listen for the beat and melody.
Introduce body percussion sounds: Teach the different claps, snaps, and pats used in the rhythm.
Practice sections slowly: Break the piece into manageable parts and practice each with the video.
Encourage group participation: Have students perform together, focusing on staying in time.
Add creative variations: Invite students to create their own rhythms or add movements.
Discuss the music styles: Talk about Vivaldi’s classical style and the hip hop beat, encouraging students to compare and contrast.

This step-by-step approach helps students build confidence and enjoy the learning process.

Benefits Beyond Music Skills

This activity offers more than just musical growth. It supports social, emotional, and cognitive development:

Teamwork: Students learn to listen and respond to each other, building cooperation.
Confidence: Performing rhythms boosts self-esteem and public speaking skills.
Focus and memory: Learning and recalling rhythms strengthens concentration and working memory.
Cultural awareness: Exploring hip hop alongside classical music broadens students’ cultural understanding.
Physical health: Movement and coordination promote physical fitness and body awareness.

I hope you enjoy this new video - let me know how you use body percussion in your classrooms!