Recently, I attended an Orff workshop and heard the name Keith Terry. (Visit his body percussion group CROSSPULSE) I've never heard his name before but was intrigued by his idea RHYTHMIC BLOCK so I spent some time looking it up (and try doing it). Basically, he systemetically divides body percussion sequence into sets of 3, 5, 7 & 9. The combination is simple yet it creates amazing effects and provides much room for variation and improvisation. Here's a video of the very basic of Rhythm Block:
Here's another interesting video of Keith Terry playing along with himeself. You would here one of the part say words like "takita" and "takadimi," these words are actually rhythmic syllables used in Indian music counting.
Although I am quite clumpsy and not very good at body percussion, I do think it is important to incorporating it into music lessons. Music is dead if it is detached from the body. Western musicians aim at mastering reading skills and technical virtuosity. We run into a bottle neck phase when we have a deirable level of technical skills but lacks the ability to connect our mind and body to music. I've seen violinist practicing on a trampoline so that she can feel the weight of music working through the body; music becomes much more fluid and expressive. Therefore, I believe if children are taught to move to rhythm, they will naturally be expressive when they play an instrument because music lives not only on their little fingers but it flows through their body. It is evident in children from Africa and India where music and movement are inseparable.
Finally, I'd like to share a solo performance by Keith Terry.
For teachers, and parents:
