This game is fun for many different settings and can easily be adapted to suit different capabilities! We provide a bracket style tournament game and colorful rhythm flashcards that can be used in groups for a fun challenge or adapted for individual.
Instructions
- Introduce rhythm flash cards and teach reading rhythms as necessary
- At this time you’ll want to pass out instruments: drums, shakers, etc.
- We suggest using anything percussive without melodic instruments
- Demonstrate reading and playing rhythms for the client(s) and have them read rhythms together as a group if applicable
- At this time you’ll want to pass out instruments: drums, shakers, etc.
- Adapt for group or individual
- Group: Create teams
- Have teams choose team names and fill out the bracket (there is a downloadable and printable bracket available below!)
- Each team should receive different rhythms for each round of the tournament
- For two teams facing off: Have them read the same rhythm to see who plays it correctly or read two different rhythms until someone gets theirs correct and moves forward in the bracket.
- Ensure that each team moves up the bracket appropriately until there are only two teams remaining
- Individual: Explain that the game will be seeing how many rhythms they can read correctly and that will be their final score.
- In each session, they can try again to see if they can raise their overall score
- Group: Create teams
- Winner(s) can earn a prize:
- Choose a song to sing next in the session
- Choose the next session experience
- Have something small they can win such as a piece of candy, a winner’s certificate, etc. depending on what would be appropriate for your client(s)
Adaptations
- Use Canva or similar image editing program to create your own rhythms or song cards to add variety
- Try this with telehealth! You can display the rhythm cards via screen sharing
