PLAYGROUND BREAKDOWN

Found Sound Zone:

-Assorted household items and materials found in the environment are used to create rhythmic patterns.

Car Parts:

Miscellaneous car parts are used to make beats

Road Hazard:

Random street signs and related traffic items are used to create rhythmic patterns.

Africa [West]:

Remo drums representing the various countries in W. Africa are used to play traditional rhythms together.

South America [Brasil]:

Remo drums represent the various instruments used to play traditional Samba patterns together.

Caribbean [Cuba]:

Remo drums representing the countries in the Caribbean play traditional rhumba together.

North America [1st Nations]:

Remo drums representing the various tribes of the land play traditional rhythms together.

Asia [India]:

Remo drums representing the various countries on the Asian continent play traditional rhythms together.

Europe:

Assortment of Orchestral percussion instruments

Australia:

Aboriginal instruments from Australia and traditional Maori percussion instruments

*categories are subject to change

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

After students have arrived, the facilitator will give an overview of the program and a brief lecture about the role, history, and significance of Drumming. (The 5 W’s & 1 H will also be covered at this time.)

Participants are given the tour of the Percussion Playground. Once the tour is completed, then all participants are brought together for a group drum circle. Participants are asked to choose an instrument to represent their voice. The instruments range in sizes, tones, and colors.

Students are instructed with the basic technique of striking the drum to produce the natural tone(s) of the drum and are led through a “Call & Response” warm-up rhythmic exercise. Students are divided into smaller groups. Each group is given a different rhythmic part to play together. After a moment to work things out, all parts are assembled and played together. The session culminates with a rhythm circle that encourages each participant to express themselves as a soloist in a group setting.

Other Topics Covered

1. Western music notation uses the value of notes to assist with determining the components of the rhythm.

• Sub-division of counts (Whole, Half, Quarter, Eighth, Sixteenth, Thirty-Second)

2. A clave is a rhythmic motif.

• Examples are 3-2 Son clave, 6-8 African clave, 4-4 Western clave

3. The meter of a song is often used to help convey the Rhythm.

• common examples: 4/4, 6/8, 3/4, 2/4, 12/8, 5/8, 7/8, 10/8)

• x/y= no. of beats per measure/value of each beat

Field Trip Curriculum

Who makes rhythm? All living creatures and many inanimate objects

Activity: Participants name things that make rhythm

What is Rhythm? The beat. One of the 3 components that make up music (melody & harmony).

Where is rhythm found? In all living creatures, nature, mechanical machinery.

• Examples (the heartbeat, the ocean’s currents, a running engine, an earthquake)

Activity: Participants give an example of rhythm.

Why do we need rhythm? It provides a pulse which enables life or it’s the catalyst for movement in an inanimate object.

• Example (The heartbeat is the rhythm of life.)

When is rhythm used? Constantly & Continually

• Example (The rotation of the earth around the sun & the rotation of the moon around the earth)

How is rhythm made? Two opposing forces or sounds are juxtaposed together.

• Example (High & Low tones-“Hello”)

Activity: Participants demonstrate an example of a type of rhythm. (Clap, Walk, Skip, Speak)

Sample Session Schedule:  

Monday - Friday 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Arrival time 10:00 a.m.; Depart time 1:45 p.m.

10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. - Introductions/Overview

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - Playground tour/Video

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Drum Circle

*12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Lunch

1:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. - Clean-Up/Bathroom Break

1:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. - Playground (Free Play)

*Students have the option to eat lunch on the premises if negotiated in advance.
Lunch is 30 minutes. (cost extra; must bring food & beverages).
*No food or drink is provided by HOD unless in case of emergency.

Sessions are held outside in a semi-shaded space. Sessions are limited to 25 participants maximum at the St. Elmo Village [SEV] venue. For larger groups, the Lula Washington Dance Theatre [LWDT] venue is recommended. In the case of rain, there is an indoor option available at LWDT.

HOD provides participants with Remo world percussion instruments.

House of Drum (The Shed @ LWDT)

3773 Crenshaw Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA, 90016
United States

To inquire about program availability and pricing, please submit this form and someone will contact you by email shortly. Thank you.

PROGRAM DURATION OPTIONS:

6 weeks - (number of days per week TBD)

12 weeks - (number of days per week TBD)

18 weeks - (number of days per week TBD)

36 weeks - (number of days per week TBD)