Posted by C on April 06, 2008 at 10:49:21:
In Reply to: Looking for a fun activity to do with a beginning band posted by Middle on April 04, 2008 at 22:54:58:
Play the "Forbidden Rhythm" game. Pick a 4-beat rhythm pattern (particularly one that is in one of the pieces they're working on, and even better one that they find challenging or are having trouble with) and designate that pattern as "forbidden." Have the kids perform it first, either clapping it or playing it, so they are familiar with it. Then, proceed to clap or play several other 4 beat rhythm patterns, and the students echo clap or echo play each one, EXCEPT the forbidden rhythm. Make sure to include rhythms that are very similar, but not EXACTLY the forbidden pattern. Anyone who accidentally plays/claps this one is "out." You can either play until all but one have been elimiated... but I like to let the students back in the game after a few turns (particularly after we've had a turn where NOBODY got out), my students don't seem to care about who ultimately wins, they just like the challenge of playing the game. This is really great as it develops rhythmic aural discrimination. If they know the pattern well enough to identify it when they hear it among several other similar rhythms, that will help them to learn to play it more accurately. You could do the same thing with a melody pattern as well.
: I'm going to guest conduct a beginning band rehearsal in a couple weeks. I'd like to do a fun activity with them in addition to rehearsing their songs. Does anyone have any fun activities they've done in a setting like this?