Getting in the Groove: Book & Online Audio

Sipes built a curriculum that actually works in real classrooms with real teachers who may have never picked up a drumstick. The inclusion of recorded examples for every rhythm and style means you're not guessing at authenticity or struggling to demonstrate unfamiliar techniques. The balance between West African, Taiko, and other global traditions keeps students engaged while the reproducible assessments let you document their growth without adding preparation time to your week.

Rhythmic, intentional, and grounded in traditions that students recognize as alive and contemporary. The book invites exploration rather than perfection, building confidence through step-by-step progressions and the steady presence of recorded examples that make every pattern clear.

General music teachers working with students in grades 5 through 8 who want to introduce world drumming traditions without assuming prior percussion experience or access to specialized training. The curriculum is explicitly designed to reach all learners, including those who benefit from multisensory approaches and inclusive classroom structures.

• Play the audio examples multiple times before introducing a rhythm verbally. Students absorb the groove through listening first, then translate it to their instruments.
• Start with body percussion or hand drumming before moving to mallets or sticks. This removes equipment barriers and lets students focus purely on rhythmic feel.
• Encourage students to listen for the cultural context in each recorded example. Understanding where a rhythm comes from deepens engagement and respect for the music.
• Use the reproducible worksheets to track individual progress rather than as one-size-fits-all assessments. Students with different learning profiles will show mastery in different ways.

Integrate this curriculum into your general music classes during units focused on world music or rhythm foundations. The 72-page scope works well as a semester-long module, or you can extract individual lessons to complement other repertoire and units throughout the year.

• Performing rhythmic patterns from West African and Taiko drumming traditions
• Creating original rhythms through guided improvisation
• Listening and responding to percussion across cultures
• Reading rhythm notation with increasing complexity
• Collaborative ensemble drumming in group settings