Looking for a quick way to add some variety to rhythm practice or music warm-ups?
Random wheel pickers can be a really fun tool to use in music class activities. Instead of choosing the activity yourself, let two wheels decide: one for the rhythm and one for how students perform it.
This simple setup adds an element of surprise and turns routine rhythm drills into engaging music classroom games that get everyone involved.
Here’s how to set up two wheels side-by-side and start using them with your students.
How to Set Up Two Random Wheel Pickers Side-by-Side
One spinner is fun. But two? That’s where things get really interesting.
With two wheels spinning side by side, one wheel can choose the rhythm and the other can decide how students perform it. The result is a simple activity that keeps everyone involved and adds an element of surprise to rhythm practice.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Two custom wheels saved ahead of time (for example, rhythm patterns and body percussion)
- The Tab Resize Chrome extension (or a similar tool) to display both wheels at once
- A browser like Chrome so you can easily open multiple tabs
Once everything is set up, both wheels can spin together: one choosing the rhythm, the other choosing how it will be performed.
To set it up:
- Open your first rhythm wheel in a browser tab.
- Press Ctrl+T (or Cmd+T on Mac) to open a new tab.
- Go to Wheel of Names and open your second saved wheel (for example, body percussion).
- Use the Tab Resize extension to display both wheels side by side.
- Click each wheel to spin them together.
Now students can perform rhythms using body percussion or whatever combinations the wheels choose.
5 Random Wheel Games for Music Class
Once the two wheels are set up, there are lots of ways to use them in class. One wheel can choose what students play, while the other wheel decides how they perform it.
Here are a few combinations to try:
Rhythm + Body Percussion
Spin one wheel for the rhythm and the other for a body percussion sound (clap, snap, pat, stomp). Students perform the rhythm using whatever action the wheel selects.
Dynamics Challenge
Create a dynamics wheel with options like piano, mezzo forte, forte, and more. Spin the rhythm wheel first, then spin the dynamics wheel so students perform the rhythm at the chosen volume level.
Name That Symbol
Add common music symbols to a wheel. For example, treble clef, repeat sign, fermata, or crescendo. Spin the wheel and ask students to identify the symbol or explain what it means.
Instrument Technique Wheel
This works well for band or orchestra classes. Create a wheel with different techniques such as staccato, legato, accent, or tonguing patterns. Students play a rhythm using the technique the wheel selects.
Scale Selector
Add scale names to one wheel and spin it before a scales warm-up. Students then play or improvise using whichever scale the wheel lands on.
Mix and match different wheels to create new combinations and keep activities feeling fresh.
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Want More Ready-to-Use Music Tech Activities?
Activities like this are just one small example of how simple technology can make rhythm practice and warm-ups more engaging in the music classroom.
Inside the Midnight Music Community, you’ll find many more ready-to-use music tech activities, lesson ideas, step-by-step training, and classroom resources designed to make it easier to bring technology into your teaching.
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2 Comments
This is such a cool idea for music class! I never thought of using Wheel of Names for rhythm games. It’s awesome how you can get so creative with digital tools. Speaking of creative digital fun, my kids are always buzzing about the ink game on Roblox, too!
I’m glad you like it!