Music Making: Random Instruments and Found Objects

Dance with Wooden Sandals / Cuban Children

Dover High School Students and Members of the Steel Drum

Acapella Tap Dance

Music with Objects

The students were introduced to the videos above in order to illustrate how music can be created with our feet, with our hands, with steel pan instrurments originally made out of 55 - gallon oil drums, and finally with random objects. 

Then, we began to create rhythmic clapping as a group using the Cuban rumba concept of the Claves. That was just the warm up before we began to use percussive instruments and flutes to create other interesting sounds that included the participation of the whole class. 

Finally, we started using voices to create harmonies.  Every student proposed a vowel sound that was layered by the sounds of the other students in class.  The vowel was elongated into a phrase of three vowels, before it became the content of a larger and more complete cacophony of sounds.

 Music Making: Random Instruments and Found Objects

The underlaying concept of the class is to have students realize how to use the arts without much experience about the arts making process in a scenario where there are limited resources. Every class, the students are introduced to innovative ways to facilitate a learning environment using the arts in whichever way possible. 

At the end of the class the students reflect on the exercises they have experienced in an attempt to make sense of it, create their own knowledge and own it.  Bellow, there are some examples of the ideas the students were able to summarize.

Sami Shinder

This experience was insightful as it opened up the world of music and how different instruments work together to create an overall rhythm. So many different types and categories of instrument can be incorporated into an orchestra of any type so it was interesting to actually see this hands on rather than at a performance. It was a very enjoyable exercise that teaches students how to work together and focus in order to create something great. On a personal note, this activity was especially appreciated and enjoyed as it allowed me to forget about the stress of the upcoming week and just take a mental creative break to ultimately brighten up my day. Furthermore, the exercise which included singing was also eye opening to the complexities that must come with being in a choir as it is hard to not get distracted by the other people singing around you. However, once all put together it is a strong powerful rhythm that would capture the ears of any audience. I think you objective for today was to show us how many variables can go into orchestras and choirs but how every person plays an important role to creating the sound. This exercise encourages participation, teamwork and patience in order to create the perfect collection of sound. If I were teaching this class, I would maybe record the final rhythm with everything together and then play it on the board towards the end of the class to further emphasize how well it all works when everyone is trying and enjoying themselves. 

Rae Rozovsky

Today I came to class feeling tired and not in a great mood. This quickly changed once class began. I had so much fun playing with the instruments and interacting with the class. I no longer felt lethargic and was in a happy mood. I can easily see how bringing music to children is a great way to break up the day filled with sitting and lectures. The music allows us to tap into our creative sides and relax for a bit. It was okay to make mistakes and mess up, as long as you kept trying and had fun. This is an important lesson for young students to learn growing up in such a high stress society. 

The singing part of class was very interesting. I enjoyed the instruments more, but if you do not have instruments in class this is a great exercise for students. It is another fun way to let go and be creative. It allows students to laugh and enjoy themselves without requiring any materials, so easily done in any teaching setting. 

The objective was to remind us how it felt to be kids and be creative. By actually doing what we discussed, we can see how students would react in a real life situation. If I were to change anything, I would have students move around out of their social circles to allow them to have some fun with different students in class. 

Alexandra Gange

           

Today was a great class. I was on the loudest drum and thought it was so fun to lead to best of the class. The use of unique instruments made this class especially interesting. My friend was on the rainstick next to me and there were other unique instruments all around that allowed for a cool beat that aren’t exactly like typical school bands. I found it great that the beat started small but as people joined in it added more excitement and energy to the beat. I think it could be interesting to break into smaller groups and make different beats - each group having on of the drum percussion pieces, one flute, one object up for imagination, maybe even one vocal. The beats made by each group would be very different and it could be rewarding to see how people use surrounding objects other than instruments. 

The vocal part of the class was interesting. Everyone got to pick their own sound using vowels and it ended up being the same meet but different sounds. This would be a fun exercise for kids and uses zero materials- only participation. It reminded me of music groups like the ones in Pitch Perfect that strictly make music based on their voices and bodies. 

I think your objective was participation, collaboration and the ability to create with minimal resources. Not all students are granted the ability to have computer and supplies as accessibly as we do at UM. You were showing the ways to create with a few instruments, our bodies and our voices. In order to be successful we needed to participate and be present as well as collaborate with the ones around us to make a cohesive sound. 

What I would do differently is after making group music I would give students the opportunity to make it themselves in smaller groups to express creative. 
Overall I thought this class was really enjoyable. I avoided my phone because participation was essential in this activity.

Marisa Petrillo

Today in class we used various different types of instruments to make music. This exercise was especially fun and interesting because it allowed us to be working with our hands individually while also collaborating as a class working toward a common goal and creating something together. The music made was amazonian-like and the sounds from each instrument were very distinct. I like exercises such as this because it is a beneficial learning experience while also being a fun break from your average curriculums. 

We did a second exercise using our voices to make music by pronouncing certain vowels of our choice. It was hard for some of the class to freely participate during this exercise because of the notion they they might sound or look silly while doing it.

I think the objective of today’s class was to focus on being comfortable with your creativity and your creative spirit and comfortable expressing it to and in front of people you don’t know very well, so you are then able to help and teach others to do the same.

Something I may change when using this lesson is to not restrict the voice lesson to vowels, to introduce more range to the music. Other than that I think the exercise was thorough and effective based on my ideal objective.

Melanie Gershman

This music experience showed me how to get students involved and engaged with classroom activities while learning how to cooperate with others and create a rhythm. By having everyone listen to the percussion instruments, they had to put their focus on the task at hand and not be distracted with technological devices while also having fun. Having instruments that required students to use their hands kept them busy instead of texting. While people may have felt silly at first engaging in the activity, once they saw others participating it made them more inclined to perform as well. We learned ways to harmonize with instruments as well as with our voices. It shows how it is important to listen to others in order to keep the beat. Students were able to become creative and have a sense of control in their learning by deciding what vowel to sound out while harmonizing with the class. It was able to tell those who felt embarrassed during this exercise by the people who would not give their sound during the entire task.

Your objective for this class was to show us a way to listen and cooperate with each other to create sounds and harmonies. In order to prevent others from not participating, I would have split the group up away from their friends to prevent the side conversations.

Amanda Kuperman 

I really enjoyed class today. I never played a musical instrument growing up aside what I was required to play in third grade, the recorder. I had two sticks (I’m unsure what they’re called) and I found playing the instrument very stress relieving. At first, the class couldn’t agree on a rhythm. However with time, instruments seemed to compliment one another. It was interesting to me to hear the different sounds each instrument made, each one was unique. I also found it interesting that some instruments were simple classroom materials. I’ve always known that music can be made from anything. It was fun to see that in action! I like this method of self expression as well and the various personalities that came across through the instruments.

At first singing was uncomfortable. However when we were asked to just say a vowel, it became easier. Everyone seemed to build off one another’s harmony. This is a very useful tool for teaching children to learn how to work together. I liked how we started with a vowel and build up to a phrase.

I think your objective was to teach music in a classroom that may not have expensive instruments readily available. Additionally, another objective was to learn how to work together. I would have the class pick lyrics from their favorite song and bring it to class. I’d have each student pick two words and then have everyone sing their words together.