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From The Montessori Music Room: A Fun Chinese New Year's Listening Game With A Brass Gong!

ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL INSTRUMENTS OF CHINA ALSO HAS THE MOST AMAZING SOUND AND LITTLE CHILDREN LISTEN WITH AWE TO THE CHINESE GONG!

 Photo by the artists at Dollar Photo Club 

The sound of a Chinese brass gong is so impressive, it stops everyone and brings an aura of magic to the moment! 

These days, our Montessori music classes have been exploring the musical culture of China, and celebrating the Chinese New Year is a wonderful way to make it all have meaning. You can read about our Chinese New Year celebration with ribbon dancing at my past post here. 



Photo by the artists at Dollar Photo Club

During my Orff-Schulwerk training many years ago, I took home a large brass gong and I have used it so often in my music lessons. 



Photo by the artists at Dollar Photo Club

Over the years, we've used the gong for musical drama play, for introducing the end-of-the-year show in our Kindergarten groups, for exploring instruments of China (and Asia), and for a wonderful focused listening game.


Photos by the artists at Dollar Photo Club

FOCUSED LISTENING ACTIVITY: THE GONG

The children really enjoy the challenge of this Montessori style listening activity. 

First, I show the children my beautiful brass gong that was made in China. Then, I show them the mallet I use to strike the gong and I ask them to repeat the words gong and mallet. Next, I prepare them for the big sound the instrument will make when I strike it with the mallet. 

When children first hear the gong, they are usually surprised, excited, and often start making comments and sounds of their own. This is when I point out to them that the gong is still ringing! Then, they get quiet while they listen to the sound as it gradually fades away.

Photo by the artists at Dollar Photo Club

THE GAME:
For this activity you will need a true sounding brass gong.
Here's one at Amazon: Zildjian Gong.
IF YOU HAVE A LIMITED BUDGET, you can show the children a  nice big photo of a gong and then play this mp3 downloadable recording of a gong: Gong Sound Effects at Amazon.

I invite the children to play a listening game that is a tiny bit challenging! I tell the children that I will play the gong again. This time I will ask them to close their eyes. 

Photo by the artists at Dollar Photo Club

Then, I want them to raise their hands...when they don't hear the gong ring any longer. 

Photo by the artists at Dollar Photo Club

So, the idea is that they LISTEN, with eyes closed, for when the gong no longer makes the ringing sound and THEN it is time to raise their hands.

This game is designed after the first lessons with the Montessori bells. These bells are made of brass and have a strong and long ring that reminds me of the Chinese gong.
You can read more about lessons with the Montessori bells here: Montessori Services Sensorial Sounds with the Bells.


Photo by Carolyn at Magical Movement Company

Dr. Montessori wrote in her book, The Montessori Method:
"I believe that after establishing silence it would be educational to ring well-toned bells, now calm and sweet, now clear and ringing, sending their vibrations through the child's whole body. And then, besides the education of the ear, we have produced a vibratory education of the whole body, through these wisely selected sounds of the bells, giving a peace that pervades the very fibers of his being..." (p. 206)
In my opinion, listening to a beautiful Chinese brass gong is a fabulous learning experience for the child's "vibratory education of the whole body!"  

 Photo by the artists at Dollar Photo Club

I am so happy to have you visiting my Blog today. I hope your children enjoy listening to the Chinese brass gong...it's an amazing sound!

This post is part of the Link-up at Montessori Mondays, where you'll find lots of resources and great articles from Montessori bloggers from all over the world. You can check it out here: Montessori Mondays at Living Montessori Now.

My newest Lesson Plan Activity Pack (Chinese Ribbon Dancing with Children) is NOW in my TPT Store.  There is a 20% discount until Feb. 12th! 





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And, if you want some very lovely traditional Chinese music from a contemporary group of musicians, check out my favorite here: Melody of China Ensemble . Their youtube channel will get you in the mood for more and their cd s are the best! 


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