Coordination
and Creativity
Challenges
Introduction
Metre and time signatures describe how many beats are in a bar of music. It is mathematical.
The first beat in each bar is usually strong and clear.
In duple time, there are a total of 2 beats in every bar of music.
In triple time, there are a total of 3 beats in every bar of music.
In quadruple time, there are a total of 4 beats in every bar of music.
In compound duple time, there are 2 beats in each bar. However, each beat is a dotted crotchet in length.
Tempo in music can be fast, slow or anywhere in between. Pieces of music may include long, slow notes in one layer while featuring shorter, faster notes in another layer. This variety in duration creates contrast and interest within the texture of the music.
Activity 2
Task 1
Listen to a piece of music. Tap your foot to the beat. Does the tempo of the beat change at all?
Listening suggestions for beat tapping:
Zorba the Greek (4:21)
Marimba Beats with the Hillcrest College Marimba Band (4:15)
La Valse d'Amélie (2:38)
DR PLONK - official trailer (1:29).
Task 2
Watch 'Duration challenge' (0:07) and experiment with duration by performing 3 different rhythms at the same time.
Tap your foot to keep a steady beat or heartbeat.
Clap your hands twice for every foot tap. Your clapping will be faster than your foot taps.
Click your tongue on every second foot tap. Your clicking will be slower than your foot taps and much slower than your claps.
Task 3
Invent your own way to represent the duration challenge on paper or screen.
Here is one way to draw your experimentation.
Task 4
Watch the STOMP and Cup Games videos for inspiration.
Then:
compose your own body percussion trio or junk percussion trio to rehearse with 2 others.
notate or draw it so others understand and remember your rhythmic ideas in rehearsal.