Free Percussion Workshop - Rhythm & Movement! Saturday 26th July 2014!

Percussion Workshop - Rhythm & Movement

Facilitated by Matthew Richards
Saturday 26th July 1 pm - 2.15 pm at the Unitarian Chapel, Brunswick Square, Bristol, BS2 8PE.
Price - FREE!

Hello! My name's Matthew Richards. I'm a 29 year old musician and teacher from Bristol. I have always been interested in how music can be used as a tool to foster communication and interaction between children. Music can transcend the barriers that divide us socially and culturally. Music is a language spoken by all, making it an inclusive and unifying experience. It binds us together and can bring forth attributes in a person that were previously latent.

I am devising a series of workshops that are designed for children between the ages of four and ten. (Some of the workshops will be designed specifically for children on the autistic spectrum or with learning difficulties; more information on those coming soon.) The primary focus is using the fundamental principles of music - i.e. melody, harmony and rhythm - to encourage children to become more aware of themselves and how they relate to others.

The next workshop, 'Rhythm and Movement' is percussion based. The aim is to engage children in acting out internal rhythms (heartbeat, breathing) and external rhythms (in music) using percussion, movement, self-expression and teamwork. The workshop will contain several games, exercises and the making of percussion instruments using pasta, lentils and empty containers. Each game and exercise is designed to inspire positive interaction and communication, as well as sparking the imagination.

The structure of the workshop is as follows:

- Stick Stick Shoe Floor
- Internal Rhythms?
Drum Circle – Keep the Beat
Making Your Own Percussion
Simon Say’s Shake!
  (Break - Drink & Biscuits)
Emotion Rhythms
Animal Rhythms
Motion Rhythms
Drum Improvisation

The workshop requires 12 children. Parents please contact me if you have a child (or children) who want to join in! Email - dfaband@live.co.uk or you can phone/text on 07920407490. Visit my blog - http://matthewwilliamrichards.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/percussion-workshop-rhythm-movement.html

Matthew Richards

Banging On About It! - 10th May Percussion Workshop

                                                                                 

Group Drumming!

So, yesterday (Saturday 10th May) i facilitated another percussion workshop for children aged four to eight, and it was a blinding success!

A huge thank you to all the children and parents who came, you were all so enthusiastic and engaged. The rhythmic games went without a hitch, the concentration and involvement level in the room was high, and the energy was buzzing!


                                 

Angry Drumming!

My personal highlights were:

'Emotion rhythms', which had children interpreting different emotions on their drums!



'Animal rhythms' which encouraged children to 'drum' the sounds of various animals! Galloping horses, flying birds and hopping kangaroos!

The kids even came up with their own brilliant suggestions for both games!

Making percussion, making mess!

Simon say's shake it up high!

The Simon say's call and response game went down a treat, as did the group drumming. The kids even got to make a huge, unhindered mess making their own percussion using various kinds of lentils and pasta!

I would like to extend my thanks to Sally Edwards, for once again helping with the session and for bringing some of her beautiful drums.

Off the ground!

Thank you once again everyone, especially YOU, the children, for being so fantastic!

Matthew Richards