Activity: Musical band
Knowing ourselves: Create instruments and make musical sounds together
Activity overview
Energy level: 4/5
Literacy level: 1/5
Complexity level: 3/5
Time: 30 minutes
Purpose: Use imagination and art to make instruments out of supplies and materials found around the safe space; Play music together as a group to have fun together and collaborate.
Objectives
Adolescents will be able to:
- Use innovative ideas to make and play instruments in a group.
- Build a positive environment through collaborating on a music project.
Competency domains
- Creativity and innovation
- Cooperation and teamwork
Works well for
Adolescents who are still getting to know each other.
Phase
Knowing ourselves
Before
No activities required before this one.
After
No activities required after this one.
Preparation
None needed.
Activity steps
Step 1
Explanation and discussion: Participants will create musical instruments to play. They can use all of the materials available and they can look for material such as rocks and sticks from nearby outside.
Step 2
Present the available materials.
Step 3
Explain:
- A drum can be made by taping or gluing paper to the top of a cup, or by turning a can upside down and tapping sticks or rocks on it.
- Gluing straws together can create sound when you blow air through them.
- Placing tiny rocks in a cup and gluing or taping paper to seal the lid can make sound when you shake it.
Step 4
Give participants time to create their instruments. They can do this individually or in groups.
Step 5
Facilitator says: “Every adolescent creates a unique sound with their object.”
Step 6
Facilitator says: “As a group, you will become one ‘instrument’ that I can ‘play’ as the conductor by pointing to you. So, if I point at you, make the noise at the same time that I point to you.”
Step 7
Facilitator says: “One person will start by creating a unique rhythm or sound pattern. Others join in one at a time to create a unique song as a group.”
Step 8
Facilitator says: ”All of us have things that we are able to do, not just in the future but right now. I have written this at the top of the marker board because what we can do represents our hopes and our potential. What are some ways to finish this sentence?” (Adolescents should volunteer their answers.)
Facilitator says: ”Next, as a group, create the loudest sound you can. Then create the quietest sound you can.”
Step 9
When everyone has created an instrument, invite them all to play their music together. Help them to create ‘songs’ together by cueing different groups to make sounds with their instruments in different sequences or patterns. Give adolescent participants a chance to take turns being ‘music director’ if they seem ready to do so.
Step 10
Share and Take away: Ask: “What was it like to play music together?”
Step 11
Let participants take their instruments home if they would like to do so.
Do and don't
Do
- Let participants be creative.
- Help participants construct their instruments.
- Use available materials from the surrounding area.
- Provide positive feedback on instruments.
- Stay calm - this activity can get noisy!
Don't
- Tell participants how to make their instruments.
- Criticize instruments.
- Tell participants they cannot play their instruments.
Adaptation
Use materials outside of those in the supply kit, if available.
Environment
Indoor or outdoor space
Supplies
- Flipchart paper
- Markers
- Cups
- Small rocks
- Paper
- Straws (if available)
- Glue or tape
- Rubber bands (if available)
- Scissors
- Sticks
- Cans (if available)
Improvise
Adolescents can create songs together with their instruments or try to play a song everyone knows. Create a “sound track,” or a song that can accompany a story (just as music accompanies a movie or television show). Decide which ‘instruments’ represent certain feelings or ideas, then have them become the sound track to a silent role play.
Continue
Encourage participants to use music and songs in activities, including opening and closing circles.
Highlights
Use imagination and art to make instruments out of supplies and materials found around the safe space; Play music together as a group to have fun together and collaborate. Works well for adolescents who are still getting to know each other.
