Ideas for music workshops

ONE-TWO RHYTHM GAME

This exercise is developed from a John Stevens exercise as published in “Search & Reflect”

Aim of the game is to start a group working together rhythmically, with 2 beats; ‘one’ & ‘two’

Step by step guide:

Stage 1:

  1. Workshop leader explains that only the numbers ‘one’ and ‘two’ are to be used
  2. The workshop leader starts by saying ‘one’
  3. moving clockwise the next participant says ‘two’
  4. the next participant says ‘one’
  5. then ‘two’
  6. and so on until everyone has said their number

Stage 2:

  1. Explain that the gap between the first ‘one’ and ‘two’ sets the tempo
  2. Get the group to repeat stages 2 – 6 but concentrating on keeping the gap the same

Stage 3:

  1. This time around repeat stages 2 – 6, however once the participant has said their number they keep saying it
  2. By the time it gets around to the end everyone in the group should be saying either ‘one’ or ‘two’
  3. Try doing this again but rather than coming in one at a time (as per stages 1 – 6) try getting the group to come in straight away

Stage 4:

This is the harder bit

  1. There is now a space for ‘one’ and a space for ‘two’ by this point everyone in the group should be saying one or the other.
  2. Start the group going
  3. Get them to change the number they are saying
  4. This involves doing two things:
  5. The easy one is saying the other number
  6. The harder is saying it at a different time

To demonstrate this say the Bold/underlined words out loud, the others under your breath:

Original:

OnetwoonetwoOnetwoonetwoOnetwoonetwo

Changing beat:

OnetwoonetwoOnetwoonetwoOnetwoonetwo

______

Game Theory Record Label

Group 1 choose, A or B

Group 2 choose, C or D

A / B
C / -2, -2 / +4, -4
D / -4, +4 / +2, +2

Profit/loss is based on combined outcome. I.e. What one group chooses effects the outcome of the other.

Assigning values/context:

Group 1 = Vocalists

A = Ballad B= Rap

Group 2 = Producers

C = SoulD = Rock

A
Ballad / B
Rap
C
Soul / -2, -2 / +4, -4
D
Rock / -4, +4 / +2, +2

So:

Soul/Ballad: everyone losses £2m

Rock Ballad: Producers loose £4m, Vocalists gain £4m

Soul/Rap: Producers gain £4m, vocalists loose £4m

Rock/Rap: everyone wins £2m

Playing the game:

  • Aim of the game is to make as much money as possible
  • Divide into two groups
  • Play 10 rounds
  • Let the group make ‘blind’ choices rounds 1 – 5
  • Rounds 6 – 10 groups can see other groups choice, but have to reveal at the same time
  • Can add in ‘double or nothing’ rounds or similar to keep entertainment
  • Can insist on groups making their decisions non-verbally
  • Play a second round, this time they can discuss with each other what’s going on
  • Has behavior changed?

Ideas:

  • Choose genres/musical styles that are relevant to the young people, it’s easy to customize the framework in that way
  • For a more complex game have three teams, thus nine possibilities, this will last longer ad take longer to figure out what’s going on
  • Discuss with the group what influenced their choices, did it change? Why?

Resources:

List of musical Genres:

Game Theory ideas:

Resources - Programmes:

Free software that can be used, and is useful for running music workshops:

Audacity

Record and edit sound

Virtual DJ

Virtual DJingsoftware, effectively runs the same as two sets of record decks, but with MP3s on a laptop. Intuitive and easy to use

Garage Band (Free on Apple Macs)

Semi Pro level recording, editing with MID and sampling capabilities

Software to buy:

Garage Band

(as above) £10 on older Macs

Propellerhead Reason

Very powerful usable software synth and recording stystem, not cheap but very usable

Thoughts on Group Work

Make sure your activities are appropriate to the group and to the group size.

For example with music group size can be a very important factor, here are some suggested activities dependant on group size:

Large Groups (10+)

Large scale percussion work is very good for large groups.

Samba bands can operate with up to 30 or 40 people (in carnival in Rio bands will often have 500+ players!) however doesn’t work so well for small groups.

African drumming also works well for large groups – up to 25/30 people

Choir work can be used to work with large groups, it doesn’t have to be traditional choir, but can be large vocal arrangements of modern tracks

Medium Sized Groups (5 – 10)

Choir groups also work at this size, as does African Drumming, however Samba tends to need more participants to work

Groups this size are perfect for forming into bands, crews or live groups.

Bands/Rock band work can work well with this size. Participants can take on different roles in the group, this can be particularly effective if working with a mixed ability group where some have musical experience.

Instruments that may be used can include: 2 or 3 guitars, Bass, Drums, Vocals, Backing, vocals, Keyboards, percussion, synths.

With bands and groups this size here are different ways of working which can include; learning cover songs, writing songs (could be issue based), on concentrating on technical development of instruments.

Groups this size can form into a crew where they may perform as several DJs and MCs.

Small Groups and Individuals

Music Tech works best in smaller groups, as hunching round a computer in larger groups is less exciting.

Singer songwriter work, either as learning and performing on an instrument, or with the leader plying whilst others write lyrics and sing/rap

Specific instrumental tuition is also possible with small groups, however may not provide the interest for some young people.

Comments from other participants on the “Barnstorming” Day

Good ideas for introducing music and rhythm that can be developed in a PRU environment. Basic rhythm sessions are good to encourage focus, introduce rythms and to get the group responding to each other and useful also for eye contact and body language. Game theory would be interesting to introduce with young people who may enjoy working out the patterns and combinations.