Asian Music Resources

Introduce your students to Asian music, instruments, and culture with these resources. Explore songs of different ethnic origins with our lesson plans and musical notation printables. Students will enjoy singing Asian folk songs and constructing instruments, such as a Koto and an Erhu. Whether your class is studying Chinese opera, Indian ragas, or Israeli children's songs, there are a variety of fun music activities to keep students of all ages engaged in learning!

References & Worksheets Chinese Music Introduce your class to the musical styles, vocal music, instruments, and tradition of the Han Chinese culture. Making Instruments Make a Tunable Drum Learn to construct a tunable drum from a plastic soda bottle. Making an Erhu This two-stringed instrument originated in China, has influenced modern bowed instruments, and can be made using a can. Making a Koto Learn to construct an Asian zither – a musical instrument &ndash with wood, screw eyes, and twine. Musical Notation Music for Fuhng Yang Wha Gu (Flower Drum Song) Notation and words for Fuhng Yang Wha Gu, a famous Chinese folk song. Chinese Percussion Ensembles Use these percussion ensembles with the lesson on Chinese Percussion Music. Han Chinese Music Scales Use these Chinese seven-tone and pentatonic scales with the Chinese Music reference sheet. Israeli Songs Use these beat and rhythm displays for Israeli songs with the Israeli Children's Songs lesson plan.

Lesson Plans Israeli Children's Songs Have students in grades 1-3 sing and compare Israeli and American songs. Calypso, Calypso and Silver Moon Boat Students will sing folk songs from different ethnic origins, using stylistically appropriate articulation. Chinese Opera Introduce your class to the artistic characters, vocal music, and instruments of Chinese opera. Indian Ragas Explore Indian ragas and learn the differences between an Indian raga and the Western scale. Chinese Percussion Music Teach students about Chinese percussion instruments and ensemble performances. Use this music lesson to celebrate Asian History Month and the Chinese New Year. Related Resources Music Resources for Teachers Bring some music into your classroom with lessons and printables! Celebrate Music in Our Schools Month in March, or enjoy music on a regular basis with your students. Multicultural Music Resources Introduce your students to music from around the world with these multicultural lessons and printables. Use these resources to explore musical traditions, make native instruments, and sing folk songs. Chinese New Year Teacher Resources Celebrate the Chinese New Year with the printables, lessons, and references for grades K-12. Familiarize students with holiday traditions, the Chinese calendar, and the significance of this occasion. Asian-Pacific-American History – Teacher Resources Celebrate Asian-Pacific-American History Month (May) with our teaching resources. Explore the art, food, music, and writing of these great cultures with your students.

Provided in partnership with MENC