Rhythm Section Progression

Rhythm Section Progression

Weeks 1-4 (no instruments)
Group stands in a circle. Leaders begin with a simple rhythm pattern using open vocal sounds “bah bum” with flowing, core-based movements, ie: arm arcs, knee-bounces, bends and sweeps, etc.. The group mirrors the sound and movement back. Everyone in the circle takes a turn leading. As weeks progress rhythms become increasingly complex
Week 1 is two beats in 2/4
Week 2 is three beats in ¾
Week 3 is in 2/4 or 4/4
Week 4 is in ¾ or 6/8

Weeks 5-8 (leader plays percussive instruments)
Group stands in a circle. One leader plays simple rhythm on drum or other instrument. Other leaders begin by responding to the played rhythm with a sound and movement for each beat. The group mirrors back the sound and movement. Each person in the group had a turn leading * children are mirrored, not redirected. As weeks progress rhythms become increasingly complex, tempo varies, and we alternate between double and triple meter.
Week 5 is in 2/4
Week 6 is in ¾
Week 7 the rhythm is continuous and the form changes from a circle to a line for “follow the leader” to the rhythm, moving around the room, alternating leaders. 2/4.
Week 8 same as week 3. ¾.

Weeks 9-12 (children play instruments)
Week 9 “Follow the Drummer”. Children are given mallets/drumsticks. Follow the leader format. With a steady rhythm in the background, the leader goes around the room playing on anything and everything he/she can in cadence. Children stop at each location in the room and attempt to copy what the leader just did.
Week 10 “Fast Slow Fast Stop”
Week 11 “Pow-Wow Druminators” variation #1: split the group in two and have each group circle around a big drum. Using hands or mallets, the groups take turns repeating a basic rhythm played first by the leader.
Week 12 “Pow-Wow Druminators” variation #2: the drum is in the middle of the circle, each child approaches the drum and beats out a simple rhythm, the group repeats their rhythm using “bah-bum”