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Echo Patterns, How to Begin

I have seen teachers start way too hard, causing frustration by the students and the teacher. As one of my teachers said K.I.S.S.  (Keep it Simple Silly!) I make a big deal about waiting until I have my turn. I use my body and cowbell to indicate when its my turn (looking like I’m trying to turn around) and when it is their turn to echo (leaning towrads them).   I begin with playing on each beat while saying 1, 2, 3, 4. If that is successful, I do again with a louder voice, then a softer voice, then with no voice at all, just playing the 4 beats.

Repeat the same process with saying and playing just 3 beats and thinking the 4th beat is quiet. 1, 2, 3.

Next, try 1, 2, 3&, 4……with the same process.

End by going back to  1. 2. 3. 4

Songs of the Sea book, Lynn Kleiner, has a song called We are Gathered and it includes fish rhythms for echo playing. Have the students make up their own!

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