Rhythm Sticks
Rhythm sticks are like drum sticks. They can be made relatively inexpensively by cutting dowels into lengths of 8 inches or so. It really is up to the players how big around or how long the sticks will be. The possibilities of what you can do with the rhythm sticks, of course, are extensive. (Small rhythm sticks, for instance, could be played on desks or tables.) However, here's one sequence:
Step 1: Create an open space on the floor and everyone sit in a circle. Pass out the rhythm sticks and instruct the participants to hold onto their sticks and not play them yet.
Step 2: Lead the class in echoes (play a simple four-count pattern and everyone echoes), answers (everyone plays a different pattern back), and all join in (everyone does exactly what the leader does while they are doing it).
Step 3: Everyone play a beat pattern together (for example, tap the floor and then tap the sticks together) and then sing a familiar song or chant with it.
Step 4: Invite the participants to explore other (safe) ways to keep the beat while singing the song. Choose various leaders to decide how to keep the beat together as a class.
Step 5: Play the rhythm of the song together as a class on the floor. The rhythm is the pattern made by each syllable of the song. Repeat the song until the class can play the rhythm together with precision. Then, play the rhythm without singing (think the song).
Step 6: Have half of the group play a beat pattern and the other half play the rhythm, all while singing. Then, leave out the singing. Switch parts.
Step 7: Create beat patterns with partners.
Step 8: Play rhythm stick games like Sarasponda (this could be the first step). Choose a new song with a small group and come up with a new beat pattern to accompany the song.
Step 1: Create an open space on the floor and everyone sit in a circle. Pass out the rhythm sticks and instruct the participants to hold onto their sticks and not play them yet.
Step 2: Lead the class in echoes (play a simple four-count pattern and everyone echoes), answers (everyone plays a different pattern back), and all join in (everyone does exactly what the leader does while they are doing it).
Step 3: Everyone play a beat pattern together (for example, tap the floor and then tap the sticks together) and then sing a familiar song or chant with it.
Step 4: Invite the participants to explore other (safe) ways to keep the beat while singing the song. Choose various leaders to decide how to keep the beat together as a class.
Step 5: Play the rhythm of the song together as a class on the floor. The rhythm is the pattern made by each syllable of the song. Repeat the song until the class can play the rhythm together with precision. Then, play the rhythm without singing (think the song).
Step 6: Have half of the group play a beat pattern and the other half play the rhythm, all while singing. Then, leave out the singing. Switch parts.
Step 7: Create beat patterns with partners.
Step 8: Play rhythm stick games like Sarasponda (this could be the first step). Choose a new song with a small group and come up with a new beat pattern to accompany the song.