Tuesday, August 7, 2012

24/7: Body Music

In honor of the seventh of this month (see also Twenty-For Seven: 7/7/12), here is a list of body percussion options and several other musical activities you can facilitate for free anytime, anywhere, and with most anybody:

1)   Hand clapping
2)   Fingertips clapping against palm
3)   Thigh slapping
4)   Butt slapping
5)   Chest thumping
6)   Toe tapping
7)   Foot stamping
8)   Finger snapping... and knuckle cracking
9)   Hand rubbing
10) Jeans rubbing (done on side of legs)
11) Whistling
12) Beatboxing vocal percussion and miscellaneous vocal effects
13) Rap/Spoken word freestyling or a cappella singing
14) High-fiving, and clapping games, i.e., Mary Mack, Slide, Pat-a-Cake, etc.
15) Environmental sound orchestras, i.e., basketball bouncing, card shuffling, cup games, etc.
16) Tabletop hand drumming
17) Rhythmic breathing, whereas exaggerating quick breaths in and out are audible and invigorating, counting four “beats” of slow, natural exhalations will be more personal and relaxaing
18) Footsteps while walking to music, or any rhythmic exercises
19) Tap dancing, or any audible dance movements 
20) Air guitar, drums, keyboard, saxophone, etc.,

Alright, so you may prefer having a portable stereo to provide recorded music or a guitar to perform live music while groups exercise, dance, or go on world tours with their new air bands, but I contest that boomboxes are easy to transport and minimize additional equipment needed, that the cell phone available in your pocket can probably play music and will sound louder if you simply place it in a bowl, and c’mon! - you can beatbox, rap, sing, or establish a body percussion groove inherent to the activity! There are also always name games, drama therapy, games of charades, storytelling, "I'm going Camping..." poetry, circle games, "Big Booty" or other quick and easy games, 20 questions, and endless possible discussions about music, musicians, culture or society, self, life, memories, special interests, hobbies, dreams or goals, and plans of action.

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