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Children
all around the world love to play rhythms and sing
together. Some cultures have very highly developed
rhythms as a part of their daily lives and the children
grow up hearing and feeling these rhythms and songs.
They all start, however, with simple universal patterns
and sing the songs of their culture as they play.
Here are some rhythm games and parts that I have found
are easy, fun and stimulating for children from about
three years old up to about ten in our, non-rhythmic
based, culture.
First, though, here are a few basic principles that
make the experience of playing interlocking parts
easy for children. Start at slow tempos, give them
a steady pulse to follow, sing the rhythmic parts
with them before they play them and keep it fun!
The goal is not rhythmic perfection or complexity,
but enjoying the process of making music as an ensemble.
Begin by sitting in a circle so that each child
can see each other and has enough room to play.
Do not pass out the instruments until you have demonstrated
them; it is very hard for young children to keep
from playing instruments that are in front of them.
Explain to them about when to play and when not
to play by saying that there is a time to play and
a time to be silent. Ask them to show you their
empty hands and look you in the eyes. This will
get them focused and is a great tool for having
silence when you want it.
Clapping:
Start with clapping, which is the most universal,
basic percussion playing and will get them relaxed
and playing together. First have them listen to you
clap a slow steady pulse for about a dozen beats,
then have them join you. They will tend to speed up
out of excitement. Keep it slow and steady. After
a groove has been established start singing a song
that they all know (ask their teacher in advance).
"Itsy, Bitsy Spider", the ABC song and "Old Mac Donald's
Farm" all work very well. Sing several times through
then give them a very large, clear visual clue to
stop. A chopping motion in the air works great. Then
lead them in applause for themselves. Give the stop
cue again.
Now that the kids are warmed up and working together,
demonstrate the instruments, but bring one of each
out at a time. I like using small frame drums and
tambourines with heads (LP and CP models) small
shakers (LP makes egg shakers, Chick-itas,
small Caxixis,
small tube shakers and small Maracas) and the LP
RhythMix line. Keep the patterns and techniques
simple. Show how to get a simple tone on the hand
drum by playing with the fingers near the edge in
a straight quarter note pulse. Sing the rhythm as
you play lt, "Boom, boom, boom, boom". Singing the
pattern makes it easier to play because it becomes
entrained in the body. This gets the kids away from
becoming self-conscious. Demonstrate the shakers
in a simple back and forth motion playing eighth
notes with the down beat on the out stroke. Again,
sing the pattern, "Shake-a, shake-a, shake-a, shake-a".
You can add bells and other instruments if you have
them, but I recommend using drums and shakers for
the first time a group plays together.
Now pass out the instruments by putting them in
front of each child and making a game out of telling
them not to pick them up until you say, "Now!".
Have them pick them up. Start by singing and playing
the drum part with the drummers. Then do the same
with the shaker players. Keep it slow and relaxed.
After it gets grooving sing the songs with them
that were sung earlier. Let it go long enough to
get into a groove. Keep it going until it is time
to stop. Be aware of their ability to stay focused
and physically continue. Give them the cue to stop
and lead them in a sustained rumble of hitting and
shaking. This is a great way to release pent up
energy and gives a ceremonial closure to the program.
Give them the cue to stop. Be upbeat in your reaction
to their playing. Encourage them to play in the
future. This is just the beginning. I will build
upon this foundation in later articles. Remember:
Keep it simple, gradually add more instruments and
parts and have fun!
Jim Greiner is a nationally known touring & recording
percussionist and educator and LP clinician/drum
circle leader. He also gives clinics and workshops
in many areas of hand percussion playing from elementary
school to university levels. Jim also leads ice-breaking,
team-building drum circles and celebrations for
corporations, conferences and communities throughout
the country through his company, Hands-On! Drumming.
Visit Jim online at http://www.handsondrum.com
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