Study Guide

The Get Rhythm!® drum circle experience is an INteractive event for teachers AND students. Everyone will receive a drum upon entering the drum circle. The guest artist and facilitator, John Scalici, will rhythmically call everyone to order as the program begins.
Mr. Scalici will give a brief overview of the history of drums and drumming and it’s many uses in various cultures around the world, primarily W. Africa.
The students are then led through the basic sounds of the djembe and ashiko drums and how they are used to “speak”.
Students will learn rhythms just as ancient cultures have done–by connecting syllables and language to rhythm.
By creating beats based on simple phrases from the english language,  participants will then be led through “call and response” style rhythms utilizing the primary sounds of the drum.
Lastly, students will create a “village” rhythm. Before the rhythm begins, students are encouraged to come up with a special meaning to this “village” rhythm, just as ancient cultures have created rhythms to serve specific purposes for their villages.

Everyone plays a part in the music.  The previously learned skills are put into action as students witness first hand the amazing power of rhythm and it’s ability to bring the group into a unified beat.

Glossary of Terms:

DJEMBE:
Created by the Malinke ethnic group and traces its heritage to the caste of blacksmiths that occupied the former Mali Empire by at least the 12th century and its shape to the mortar used to pound millet. Carved from a single piece of wood with goat or antelope skin stretched across the open top, the three primary notes it produces cover a large sonic spectrum making it both a solo and accompaniment instrument. Although fast becoming one of the most popular percussion instruments in the world, the
djembe originates from the present day countries of Guinea, Mali, Ivory Coast, and Burkina Faso.
ASHIKO:
Ashiko is a Yoruba word that means drum. It’s name refers to long straight-sided drums originally carved from a single piece of wood, and headed using tacks or pegs.

Pre and Post Visit Ideas

1) Have students view Mr. Scalici’s website
www.GetRhythmPrograms.com and prepare a question for him to answer during the Q and A portion of the program.
Have students conduct a research project and write a report on cultures who use drumming. What types of drums are used? What are they made of? Are they used in rites of passage? Initiation?
Have students create a ceremonial drum for their classroom. it can be made from a coffee can, water jug from Home Depot, or a cardboard box. Have each student add a decoration to the drum. The class should keep the drum in a special designated location. Have students create their own rhythms for special occasions which happen in class, such as everyone doing well in reading, math, or science.

How Teachers and Students Benefit from Get Rhythm!®

Teachers:
– Learn about rhythms, drums and percussive instruments from around the world within their respective cultural and historical contexts.

–Gain ideas and resource materials for use in introducing Get Rhythm!® content into classroom curriculums.

Students:
–Learn about different countries and cultures (basic geography, social history, cultural and musical traditions.

–Gain awareness of how music reflects life conditions and experiences.

– Increase their understanding of different cultural traditions and belief systems and of how diverse cultures influence one another.

–Learn names of and sounds made by different drums and other percussive instruments.

–Learn about rhythms and musical styles from different cultures.

– Learn to play and create rhythms.

– Develop listening skills and music appreciation.

– Have fun listening to and making music.