- Definition
These are instruments you hit, shake, or scrape that make a sound but don't play a specific musical note, like a drum or a tambourine.
A snare drum makes a sharp 'rat-a-tat' sound without a specific musical note, so it's used for rhythm.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Think of it like clapping your hands — you make a sound to keep a beat, but you can't play a melody with it.
Ask your child: Which instruments in a song are for rhythm, not for the tune?
Common mix-up: Kids may think all instruments are supposed to play a tune. Non-pitched instruments are essential for creating the rhythm and energy in a piece of music.
Examples
- Cymbals create a 'crash' sound to add excitement, but they don't play a melody.
- Shaking a tambourine adds a jingling rhythm.
- Tapping a wood block makes a 'clack' sound that helps keep the beat.
non-pitched percussion instruments is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
