2ND AND 3RD
2nd AND 3rd GRADES *MOVEMENT AND FUN*
BODY PERCUSSION
Hi everyone!
What is body percussion?
Body percussion is an awesome way to warm up and a useful tool for creating music with your body! It is incredibly accessible as the human body is your instrument! It is also valuable for internalizing fundamental musical concepts including rhythm, beat and tempo. Percussion sounds are produced when a player hits, scrapes, rubs or shakes an instrument to produce vibrations. The same techniques can be applied to the human body. Additionally, the body has other unique possibilities including the use of inhaled or exhaled air
and vocal sounds.
Some historical and cultural info on body percussion:
Body percussion has been around for a long time, having some of its roots in Ancient Africa - 'Close to the African heart, The Gumboot is essentially the music of Africa, involving the use of the gumboots as a drum kit. Originally performed in the diamond mines of South Africa, black diamond mine workers were not allowed to talk, so they stomped their gumboots as a form of enjoyment and communication. This form of music later evolved into a dance form which honored their struggles.'
There are many countries around the world that have integrated body percussion in the expression of their culture traditions such as:
Indonesia:
Saman dancers use their hands to add on to the rhythm of their dance.
Ethiopia: Armpit dance. South African Diamond Mine dance
United States:
African American culture have a dance called Juba dance that combines stomping and clapping.
Beatbox: A form of body percussion that uses the mouth and throat to make sounds and rhythm
BENEFITS:
-It is accessible.
-It is a form of creative expression
It can be performed on its own, with others or with a musical accompaniment
Rhythm Regulates the Brain
Focuses attention
Taps into the Power of Presence
Improves Concentration
Releases Stress
Helps Improve Social Skills
Develops Community
Provides a Safe Space for Creative Expression
Its a whole lot of FUN
2 FUN FACTS
Traditionally the four main body percussion sounds (in order from lowest pitch to highest in pitch) are: stomp (stamping), patsch (patting the thighs with hands), clapping, clicking. There are many other possibilities such as: hitting the chest, whistling, slapping or flicking the cheeks with an open mouth, clicking with the tongue against the roof of the mouth, grunting and hitting the buttocks. Variations of sound are possible through changing the playing technique. For example, clapping the hands in various positions will affect factors such as pitch and resonance.
LINKS FOR PRACTICES:
- Body Songs : Challenge #1 – Tupac Mantilla – www.tupacmantilla.com www.percuaction.com - Global Music Campus: https://global-music-campus.net/what-we-do/body-percussion- tutorials/#tutorial1 - Body Percussion by Latin Groove Kids - https://www.google.com/search?q=Latin+Groove+kids&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en- us&client=safari
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