Singing Up the Scale on Fingers | Musical Play

Using our bodies to teach musical concepts helps children to make sense of what they are learning in the most effective way.

Singing a 5 note scale on fingers is something you can do with babies right up to older children.

We turn this into pitch games and get children copying patterns (such a singing 5-3 pointing to the corresponding fingers).

Understanding pitch in relation to their bodies gives children a deep sense of understanding that they carry with them. We’ve worked with children as young as 18 months who can sing up this wee scale using their fingers, and teachers who have never been exposed to this who struggle to.

Starting early and nurturing this innate musicality is key.