Reading and Performing Notation: Days 2 and 3

Students were introduced to the half note, half rest, and sixteenth notes on days two and three, identifying their values and expressing them through performance on speech, body percussion, and drums. After analyzing patterns that included quarter notes, quarter rests, eighth note pairs, half notes, half rests, and sixteenth notes, students practiced performing the rhythms using speech and body percussion (clapping and patting). Students practiced reading and performing in unison until the patterns were mastered, at which time the performances were transferred to the drums. Next, we split the class into two groups and practiced reading and performing the patterns in two parts creating a polyrhythmic setting. By the end of day three, all classes were able to perform their rhythm patterns in two parts, reading from notation, maintaining a steady beat, with 90% accuracy or better! The video below highlights activities from both days.

#drums #performance #notation