The importance of music manipulatives is that it provides students with a tool in which they can physically touch. This gives them the visual and kinesthetic sense of how certain concepts work. When thinking of manipulatives the mind automatically wonders to math! There are many examples of hands-on materials that give students a way of deepening their understanding through touch. However, music manipulatives serve the same purpose but with musical concepts! An example of a music manipulative that provides concrete learning is the image shown to the right that introduces the basic knowledge of a staff. The manipulative is targeted towards primary grades as it is the beginning lessons on using a staff in music. This is a magnet board that can portray the set of five horizontal lines to clearly communicate a musical notation. An educator can use stars or any figurative object to place either within, above or below the staff to determine the notation of notes for different pitches. Previous knowledge would have to be taught to understand pitch of musical notes. The educator can easily demonstrate that the higher the star goes on the staff, the higher the pitch and the lower the object the deeper the pitch. 

This manipulative can be turned into a game with the whole class as one student can direct the pitch of the room by placing the figured onto the staff. The board is very tactile and can be a great way to interact and excite young students to participate.