Tapping Train Rhythm Game

The Tapping Train Rhythm Game is a great little listening game with a similar principle to the Music Note Whispers Game.

It’s not just about trains, but more about feeling, listening and repeating the rhythm of the music notes on their backs – all excellent skills to build musical awareness!

I find that it’s very good for quietening down the mood, because the children really have to focus and listen to the rhythm that’s being tapped on their back. And they love the sense of anticipation as they are waiting for it to be their turn.

How To Play The Tapping Train Rhythm Game

• Print & Mount the Music Note-Flashcards-1– Note-flashcards-2
• There are two sheets of cards, use the individual cards for beginners and combine several cards to make up a bar or measure for kids who already have an understanding of basic music notation.
• The children sit in a line , one behind each other, all facing the same way with a tambourine or sticks at the front of the line.
• The last child at the back of the queue takes a card from the bag, and proceeds to tap the rhythm on to the back of the child in front.
• The next child has to copy that rhythm, by tapping it on to the back of their neighbour down the line.
• This pattern continues until it reaches the child at the top of the line, who picks up the tambourine or sticks and finally taps the rhythm.
• Has it changed?  If it is by now rather different, then the teacher taps the original rhythm to let the children hear the difference.
• The child at the at the front of the line then goes to the back and the process starts again.
• Continue the rhythm game until everyone has had a go at being at the head and the back of the queue.