Hello Tri-State Camp Conference friends, and welcome to my online home base!
Thank you for visiting this resource page. I hope that you were able to attend the session at Tri-State, Rhythmic Creativity and Activities for Camp: Become a Better Leader and Create Programs that Engage Campers and Staff
A few of the terms that we used today are defined below:
Call & Echo– The leader plays a rhythm first and then every one plays the same rhythm back.
Call & Answer- The leader plays a rhythm first and then a different predetermined rhythm is played back.
Unison- When the group plays the same rhythm together.
Solo– when one person plays alone.
Grouping– separating groups of individuals by a designated characteristic.
Layering- building sounds one at a time on top of an existing sound or rhythm.
Orbit– When a rhythm or beat is played one participant at a time, in order, around the circle.
Wave- When one sound is played, (such as a clap), and sent around the circle one participant at a time. It is different from an Orbit, in that the Wave is usually done as fast as possible to create a chain reaction.
Below is an example script for an introductory body percussion activity:
Body Percussion Ice Breaker Activity
Begin a Call and Echo as a way to get the group into rhythm and listening to you.
Ask them to stand and explain to them,
“I am going to clap four times alone, and then I want the group to clap four times back to me”.
The group echoes.
Repeat the process.
The group echoes.
Change the sound by stomping your feet four times.
The group echoes.
Snap fingers four times.
The group echoes.
Hit hands on thighs.
The group echoes.
Work with these four different sounds creating simple rhythms for the group to echo.
The goal of this exercise is that the group begins to play together, and that they are starting to follow your instruction.
Leadership and Group Management Techniques:
I-Statements: The technique of speaking using ownership of what you say. Use a clear and direct statement. “I want you to come in the room silently and sit down.”
A statement like this is effective and direct and easier for participants to receive.
A statement that is not as effective is something like, “Hey guys, come on in, take a seat”.
Positive Narration: This is the concept of repeating the instruction several times and acknowledging the participants who are following the instruction. This gives the group several opportunities to hear the instruction as well as draws attention to the participants who have followed the instruction. It also creates a visual for others to see. It’s the idea of emphasizing positive instead of negative.
Example:
Using an I-statement—->“I want you to sit on the carpet and be silent”.
Start to acknowledge students following instruction–>
“Jeremy is sitting silently.” “Rachel is sitting and being silent.” “Now Jayden and Carly are sitting silently.”
Proximity: the concept of moving yourself physically closer to a person or group as a way to get their attention without raising your voice.
Resources
You can download the handout from the session as a pdf file by clicking here.
My friend Dave Holland has an excellent book called Body Jammin’, you can find it on Amazon here.
The instruments that we used today are called boom whackers. You can purchase them at many places. My favorite online vendor is Rhythmband.com (disclaimer: I am a Rhythmband Artist Endorsee)
Thank you again for being a part of this session. I encourage you to use your own creativity in developing ideas and ways that you can incorporate rhythm play into your repertoire of activities. From my experience, the best way to do this is to just jump in and start doing it. Have fun, and draw upon the skills, talents and ideas of the people you are working with.
If you wan to learn more about the work that I do with Path To Rhythm at summer camps, this page is a great place to start. Please contact me if I can be of help to you in any way.
I would love to stay in touch- if you put your name and email in the big red box below, you will join my monthly newsletter, where I share tips, stories, resources and information to help you and your campers live a fuller life enriched with music making.
Rock on!
Adam Issadore