Cup Rhythms: Part 1
Lesson 3
This is the third lesson of the cup intro series. The aim of this session is to compose your own cup rhythm inspired by the ‘a la lata’ cup rhythm. This lesson supports you to be creative as well as further embedding your knowledge of pulse, rhythm, coordination and notation.
Preparation:
Check and watch each of the video links and check they work and you understand each task.
Lessons can be desk based or could work in a larger space.
Download a worksheet for each person or one between 2, if you prefer, and familiarise yourself with the content.
Each person will need a pen or pencil.
You’ll need one cup per person.
Activity 1 - Warm up
Pass The Cup Level 2 – 5 mins
Attempt to play pass the cup game level 2. This time you will hear 2 instructions before you follow them back.
Set the playback speed to 0.75 in the video settings.
Make sure the class are sat facing in partners or in a circle so they can pass the cup.
Remember the following instructions: pass the cup, tap the cup, turn the cup, da dum dum and da digga dum.
Follow the video and join in.
Activity 2 - Compose
Cup Compositions Level 1 - 15mins
Get the group to work in pairs.
Make sure each person/pair has a worksheet and a pen/pencil.
Task 1 - complete a thought shower for all the different ways you can think of to make a sound or move the cup, recapping over your ideas from the last lesson.
Task 2 - try and create a symbol or simple image for each idea to support creating your own form of graphic notation.
Task 3 - follow the instructions on the worksheet to create your own rhythm, thinking about: no. of beats, the rhythm and the cup movements/sounds.
Activity - 3 - Practice
Try to play your composition – 10 mins
Try out your cup rhythm in pairs.
Remember to start off slow, one beat at a time.
Use the Kodaly rhythm names to support you.
The most important thing is to try and maintain a steady pulse.
If the rhythm is too complicated, can you simplify it? If it is too easy, how can you make it more challenging?
Here’s an example of the ‘a la lata’ rhythm using notation and cup symbols:
