Cup Rhythms: Part 1

Lesson 5

This is the last lesson in the Cup Rhythm Part 1 series. In this lesson, you will have a final chance to practice your group cup rhythm composition and the A La Lata rhythm before performing. These performances will demonstrate your ability to feel the beat, coordination skills, ability to play and read rhythms using crotchet and quaver notation, ability to play and chant in time, ensemble skills, and composition skills.

Preparation:

  • The ability to record the group.

  • The ability to play Pass the Cup Level 2 YouTube video and check it works.

  • Group cup composition worksheets from previous lesson.

  • 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 normal 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 3 - Performance 2

Cup Compositions Part 2 - 25 mins

  • Ask the group to spend a couple of minutes practicing their pattern.

  • Create a performance space in the class.

  • Ask each group to come up and perform their cup rhythm compositions. The group should try and cycle their rhythm 4 times without stopping. They should be thinking about maintaining a steady beat and coordinating their movements.

  • The rest of the class should be the audience and can think of one star (something they liked) and a wish (something they think can be developed) for the group that’s performing.

  • Following each performance ask the audience for a couple of pieces of positive feedback.

Activity 4 - Reflection

Cup Rhythms: Reflection & Review – 5 mins

  • Ask the group to chat in talking partners reflecting about the last 5 lessons on cup rhythms.

    • what were their strengths?

    • what did they find challenging?

    • what would they do different next time?

    • can they think of 3 things that they want to improve?

  • In a circle can each person share one reflection that they discussed in pairs?

Activity 2 - Performance 1

A la lata al latero - 5 min

This time you’ll attempt the rhythm as one large group sat in a circle and as the rhythm develops try speeding up.

  • Sit in a large circle and make sure everyone has a cup.

  • Make sure everyone knows which way to pass the cup first.

  • It can help to count in with a steady beat 1, 2, 3, 4.

  • You might want to chant the rhyme once and then bring in the cup rhythm the second time through.

A la lata al latero
A la hija del chocolatero
A la lima al limón
A la hija de Don Simón