Count Down or Count Off
Why this is important
In music, beginning a piece on time with a shared pulse is essential. This ability to synchronize not only enhances musical skills but also fosters collaboration and connection among the children. When they learn to play or sing in unison, they develop a sense of belonging and teamwork.
Students who don't know how to synchronize will generally feel apart and outside the group. This experience is generally lonely and disempowering.
This exercise helps student to orient themselves
Students learn to give clear organizing signals to bring a group together. By doing this a student can know him herself as more capable
Directions for the Exercise: Rocket Metaphor
To make this exercise fun and engaging, we use a rocket metaphor.
Launch Pad: Imagine we are all on a launch pad.
Countdown with Pulse: We will count down together with a steady pulse:
"4", "3", "2", "1", "GO".
Note: as we count down, there is a slight increase in excitement with each count. We feel we are moving toward some thing.
Why count down versus counting up?
In european based music musicians typically count up. They count up the number of beats in a measure. 1,2,3,4. This requires musicians to know the basic beat and measures structure.
In Group Drumming culture, a group often doesn't know what number you are counting towards- 1,2,3 go. 1,2,3,4 go.
By counting down to 0, whatever number you start from, you are still counting down to '0'! You can start a countdown from 10, from 5, from 4 from 3 and you are still aiming for '0'
Level 1 Embody the Blast Off
The "Go" is the blast off. That is where the event starts.
1. Place hands on laps. The Lap is the launch pad, the hands are the rocket. The hands 'launch' up over the head.
2. Sitting on a seat, Students launch their body from sitting to standing. Note students feel the switch from more passive to active. They also get more full bodied coordination and exercise.
3. Students squat on the floor like frogs. They launch in to jumping as high as possible. This increases their full bodied coordination, balance and strength.
Level 2 Shape the Blast off witht he hands into drumming movements
Blast off into a note or a 'boom'. Begin with imaginal drums and drum sticks. Count down then hit an imaginary drum in front of you with both hands. Just one note. And back to the launch pad.
Blast off into a 'rumble'. End together with a finale note or 'boom'.
Blast of into a "Wa" "ter" "mel" "on" beat. Followed by an ending "Boom". These are four distinct beats played with alternating hands. The boom is played with both hands.
Level 3 Play on Actual Drums
Next, add the drums.
Count down to a 'Boom'.
Countdown to a 'Rumble' ending with 'Boom'
Countdown to a 'Watermelon' ending with a 'Boom'.
Level 4 Each student leads the Count Down
Blast Off: On "GO," we all launch into our music together! - blast off into wiggling- playing a note on your lap
- jump in the air
- blast off into a watermelon handshake
Exercises:
With a long jump rope or long pool noodles:
students are on a paricular color rhythm square,
a rope is swung in front of them, 4 3 2 1, the rope is swung high and student have to run under it and run to their matching colored rhythm square.
as students mature, they can swing the rope. This game not only helps student to understand the moment of transitioning from stillness to motion, but also give good full body exercise, And helps them to aim at a target- their landing pad.
This exciting approach not only captures children's imaginations but also reinforces the importance of synchronization in a playful way.