Choose a small music activity that fits the learner
A useful first music activity gives a child one thing to notice and one thing to try. The prepared Hearhood starter programme separates ages 5–7, 8–10, 11–13 and 14–17, with eight pathways at each level. These are proposed teaching bands, not a test of a child’s ability or permission to use the service.
Take an activity pack to your next session
Choose one activity, use the prompts and keep a note on paper. Each pack includes rhythm, melody and songwriting. The age bands are flexible starting points and do not change app eligibility. No child account is needed for the offline activities.
- Ages 5-7: copy, choose and play: three offline activities and a practice record.
- Ages 8-10: change one thing: three offline activities and a practice record.
- Ages 11-13: compare two versions: three offline activities and a practice record.
- Ages 14-17: make a choice and explain it: three offline activities and a practice record.
Follow a flexible four-week plan
These plans connect the offline tasks in the activity packs. Repeat, simplify or change the pace rather than treating a week as a deadline.
- Ages 5-7: four-week plan.
- Ages 8-10: four-week plan.
- Ages 11-13: four-week plan.
- Ages 14-17: four-week plan.
Ages 5–7: notice, copy and play
A grown-up reads the short explanation and helps with the controls. Begin with three notes, a steady clap, an invented lyric line or noticing when a bass part disappears. Aim for one small activity and stop when attention or comfort changes. The draft time of three to five minutes is an estimate, not a requirement.
An offline version can be as simple as clapping a steady pulse while a grown-up speaks a made-up phrase. Sound in the screen activities is optional.
Ages 8–10: change one thing
Try two chords, add a snare pattern or lower a tune. Ask “What changed?” before asking for a finished song. These drafts introduce simple cause and effect over an estimated five to eight minutes, with setup help when needed.
Use invented names and situations for lyrics. A song activity does not need a school name, home address or other private details.
Ages 11–13: compare two versions
Keep one version, change one musical choice and describe the difference. Try a different bass height, a quieter bass level or a repeated lyric hook. The proposed eight to twelve minutes leave room to explain a decision. Eligibility still depends on service rules; an 11–13 label does not mean all ages in that band can have an account.
Ages 14–17: make and explain a choice
Use a short musical goal: make room for a voice, shape a hook or explain why matching tempo alone does not align two tracks. The draft ten to fifteen minutes are a guide for planning. Encourage a short reason for each decision rather than treating a quiz completion as proof of skill.
Pick a pathway, not a promise
The eight pathways cover keyboard/piano ideas, guitar ideas, bass ideas, drums/rhythm, voice preparation, songwriting, production and DJing. Current screen controls teach notes, chords, pattern, balance and listening decisions. They do not teach safe physical technique for every instrument.
Real instrument lessons need clear demonstrations of setup and movement, accessible alternatives and teaching review. Voice preparation here uses pretend input controls; it does not open a microphone or assess singing.
How the programme is informed
Listening, performing and composing are connected strands in England’s music programmes of study. This programme uses those broad strands as a reference for progression. It is not accredited, aligned to every national curriculum or yet tested with children.
An adult should check current access rules before opening an app activity with a child. Offline activities remain an option while children’s service access is unresolved.