Woodstock Percussion Chimalong

Woodstock Percussion Chimalong

The Woodstock Percussion Chimalong chime set is an 8-note mettalophone with an alternate B flat tube, tuned to C major. This set is a winner of multiple awards and is made by the Woodstock Chime company. It is also one of my personal favorite activities.

 

I'm not the only one who loves these chimes as they are also a favorite of the kids I work with. It has been a joy to watch the expressions on the faces of individuals that struggle with everyday tasks as they pick up a mallet and play a recognizable song they know and enjoy, matching by color only. Even individuals who cannot play along by the songbook enjoy playing hand over hand or making up their own tunes.

The sound is clear and can be played softly or quite loud, depending on how hard you hit the chime tube and how you are holding the mallet. Each metal tube measures 2" in diameter x 11.25" tall.

 

This Chimalong set also comes with a songbook and songs can be played by color, number, or note. Some of the songs included are London Bridge, Old MacDonald, Jingle Bells, Row Your Boat, Happy Birthday, Take Me Out to the Ballgame, B-I-N-G-O, and The Little Drummer Boy.  You can also go to www.chimes.com and download even more songs! Go to the very bottom of that page (in the blue box) and click on DOWNLOAD MUSIC.  Over 60 additional songs! I make my own song cards using colors. Here is an example:

 

 
I have also blogged about the Mini Chimalong set. To read that post click here.
 

Try this:

• Color code the songs on index cards for those who cannot use the songbook. I add anywhere between one and four lines per card, depending on how far I have to break it down.  
• Play with two mallets. Takes coordination!
• Hold the book in one hand and play with the other to engage both hands. 
• Ask the child to look up and remember two notes (colors or numbers) at a time, then look down and play. Then work on three. 
• Color code new songs to add to the songbook.
• Point to the appropriate note in the book as the individual plays to help him keep track of where he is as he looks up and down. There are 2 mallets included and I use the stick end of one of the mallets to point with.
• Point to each chime the child must play if he cannot read the book. 
• Work on eye-hand coordination, visual memory, sequential memory, tool use, visual discrimination, number and color recognition, figure ground, manual dexterity, coordinated use of both hands, executive functioning skills, process skills, play and leisure exploration and participation 

In the box: 9 chime tubes, 2 mallets, a song book

If you are interested in purchasing this item or in just learning more about it, click on the image below to go to Amazon.com.