We Play Nice Together: The Perfect Ensemble for Your Classroom

At Panyard, we believe music should be inclusive, joyful, and accessible to everyone—especially young learners. That’s why we’ve curated a collection of instruments that complement each other beautifully, both in tone and in the classroom experience.

Whether you're building a school music program from scratch or expanding your existing one, our trio of classroom favorites—the Jumbie Jam Steel Drum, Octopus Ukulele, and SLAP Percussion instruments—make it easy to create harmony. And the best part? We Play Nice Together.

Jumbie Jam: Steel Pans That Spark Curiosity

When students first hear the vibrant tone of a Jumbie Jam, their faces light up. Designed with educators in mind, this beginner steel pan brings a taste of the Caribbean into your classroom with high-quality sound, durable construction, and intuitive layout. It’s the perfect gateway into melody, rhythm, and global music traditions.

With our colorful classroom packs and curriculum-aligned songbooks—including holiday favorites and beginner-friendly charts—Jumbie Jam makes it easy to teach music literacy and ensemble skills. From solo practice to group performances, this steel drum delivers smiles with every strike.

Octopus Ukuleles: Playful, Reliable, and Classroom-Ready

The Octopus Ukulele is more than just an awesome addition to your classroom—it’s a serious instrument built for student success. With Aquila Nylgut strings, durable construction, and playful finishes, our ukes are designed to withstand the real world of elementary and middle school music rooms.

Whether you’re introducing chord progressions, songwriting, or accompanying vocals, Octopus ukes bring music theory to life in a fun and tactile way. Available in soprano and concert sizes, and now with low-G and re-entrant notation songbooks, they make the perfect complement to steel pans and percussion.

SLAP Percussion: Everyone’s Got Rhythm

No band is complete without rhythm—and that’s where SLAP Percussion shines. Designed to be played intuitively and expressively, SLAP instruments include djembes, bongos, cajons, shakers, and more. Each one features easy-to-understand graphics that show students where to strike, helping them build technique and confidence right away.

These instruments are made for movement, exploration, and collaboration—whether students are building grooves in a drum circle or adding energy to a class performance. With SLAP, rhythm becomes approachable and fun, even for first-time players.

The Sound of Something Bigger

Individually, these instruments are powerful. Together, they create something truly special. A classroom ensemble that blends melody, harmony, and rhythm—accessible to all skill levels, adaptable for all ages. And most importantly: enjoyable.

We Play Nice Together isn’t just a tagline. It’s our promise to educators. Our instruments are designed to integrate seamlessly into your curriculum, build musical confidence, and support joyful learning experiences.

Let’s Build Your Dream Music Program

From school-wide assemblies to cozy classroom circles, Panyard’s family of instruments is here to support your teaching goals and inspire your students. Our team is ready to help you choose the right products, bundle classroom packs, or find funding options to make it all happen.

Ready to make some noise?
Shop Jumbie Jams, Octopus Ukuleles, and SLAP Percussion bundles for the classroom—and see why thousands of educators trust Panyard to bring music to life.