Table of Contents List of Grooves
Maker Music
Grooves
Watermelon Quartet
About:
Purpose of this lesson:
This involves keeping time either antiphonally within in a group or between partners.
'Watermelon' works as a good way to teach the feel of 'sixteenth' notes.
Prerequisites:
Marco Polo-
Stepping A Watermelon Square
Directions:
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Level 1. Have the whole group can step this pattern and say the syllables "Wa - ter - mel - lon".
Glitches:
- Students use the wrong foot.
- Have students wear colored wrist or ankle bands
- Students can't move to the rhythm
- For young children and some less coordinated older students continuous
shifting of weight is difficult. To counter this. Go twice as slow as a
walking tempo.
Step with the right foot. PAUSE.
Step with the left foot. PAUSE.
Step with left foot. PAUSE.
Step with the right foot. PAUSE.
Level 2. Have everyone continue doing the step together but have half of the group say, "Wa - ter" then have the other half of the group say "Mel - lon".
Switch parts.
Glitches:
- Students say the part of the other group.
- Have a strong section leader with each group that is visible and audible to each section. "Do what 'A' does. Do what 'B' does."
Needs Met:
Growth- Increase Mastery of a rhythm-
Neuroscience and Psycho-physiology Basis:
[]Metaphor to Explore:
How to stay relaxed while doing something difficult
Extensions:
Teach everyone line 1.
Teacher everyone line 3
Have half the group sing line 1.
Have half the group sing line 3.
Split group into 4 sections
Give each section a line.
Have them emphasize the word 'Watermelon'strong>. and de-emphasize the other words.
The cool part of this piece is hearing the "watermelon" travel around the
room.
Glitches:
- Students get lost
- Pick a strong section leader for each section. Have them visible and audible
to the rest of their section.
Needs Met:
Growth- Increase Mastery of a rhythm-
Neuroscience and Psycho-physiology Basis:
[]Metaphor to Explore:
Belonging to a group that can have its part and positively relate to other groups.
Extensions:
[] Watermelon Quartet