Drum Circle: Performance Task

Try out the following rhythmic exercises as a class then in groups of 5-8:

• tapping a pulse
• passing the pulse round the circle
• echo patterns
• call-and-response
• rhythmic clapping, and so on.

Now begin a steady pulse which the whole group can also tap, clap or play.

Moving around the circle, each person gets a turn breaking off from the pulse and playing an alternate rhythmic pattern against the pulse. See if you can ‘create’ an interesting rhythm against the class ostinato.

REHEARSAL: Once comfortable, try using body percussion, percussion instruments or African drums (such as djembe, dundun, donno, talking drum, and so on).

Once the groups are assured in playing their rhythmic parts, they can add either (or both) of the following new creative ideas to their group rhythmic compositions:

• Add a simple, improvised melody part on guitar, keyboard or tuned percussion
• Create a series of simply sung call-and-response patterns using words of their own choosing

PERFORM: Each group to perform their final piece and record each group, if possible.

Reflection Activity

• What was the effect of the combination of all the different rhythmic ideas from the whole class?
• In your group creations, what was the effect of combining rhythmic ideas with melodic ideas?
• Could the idea of melody and accompaniment be heard clearly in your piece?