Back to Therapy Materials
STEPS Program
Build the song one part at a time. Begin with the rhythm, then listen as new musical elements are gradually added until the complete song comes together.
Song:
Old MacDonald
How STEPS Works
STEPS breaks a familiar song into musical layers and introduces them gradually, allowing each part to be heard before the complete song comes together. Beginning with a simple rhythmic foundation and adding melody, harmony, vocals, and other elements one at a time can help children focus on the patterns within the music without having to process everything at once.
Moving through the song step by step is designed to support rhythm awareness, listening, anticipation, and recognition of how musical parts fit together. Repeating a step as needed gives children time to become familiar with each layer before another is introduced, gradually building toward listening and participating with the complete song.
Step 1
Begin with the rhythmic foundation of the song. Listen for the steady beat and repeating drum pattern that will remain familiar as new musical layers are introduced.
Try This: Tap, clap, or move along with the beat. Repeat the track until the rhythm begins to feel familiar.
Step 2
Now the lead melody is added while the drum pattern from Step 1 continues underneath. Listen for the new melody while keeping track of the familiar rhythm.
Step 3
A harmony part is now added to the rhythm and lead melody. Notice how the music begins to sound fuller while the parts introduced in the earlier steps remain the same.
Try This: Listen for each layer separately. Can you still recognize the drums and lead while hearing the new harmony?
Step 4
The voice and lyrics are introduced while the rhythm, melody, and harmony continue underneath. Listen for how the familiar words fit within the musical patterns you have already heard.
Try This: Follow along with the words, sing along if comfortable, or continue keeping the beat while listening to the voice.
Step 5 - Full Song
All of the musical elements are now brought together in the complete version of Old MacDonald. Listen for the rhythm, melody, harmony, and vocals you became familiar with throughout the earlier steps.
Try This: Listen, sing, tap, clap, or move along with the complete song. See how many of the individual musical layers you can recognize now that they are playing together.
Keep Building With STEPS
Repeating the sequence can help reinforce familiarity with the rhythm, melody, and other musical layers introduced throughout the activity. Return to any individual step as needed, or move through the full sequence again to continue practicing how the parts of the song fit together.