Connection, Laughter, and Music

We had several new faces this week, so we began with a demonstration detailing how to play each instrument. Group members were then invited to select an instrument and we warmed up by playing together as a group in a free improvisation. After the warm up, we moved into playing different sets of structured rhythms in a call and response pattern. The group leader would play a specific rhythm and then group members would repeat it back on their various instruments. We then practiced four specific rhythms that were assigned different numbers: 1, 2, 3, and 4. The group leader would call out a number and the group would respond with the rhythmic pattern. We then leveled the exercise up once more by going around the circle where each group member would call out a number and the group would then play the specified rhythm. We laughed as we tried to keep track of each rhythm requested by each group member. We then engaged in another free improvisation where group members were encouraged to explore the different rhythmic patterns we learned in the previous exercise. The music sounded happy, joyful and energetic as all of our instruments came together. Following the improvisation, a group member requested that we play Stand By Me, as we had in a previous group. The group was on board so we first listened to the track while following along with the lyrics. We then selected a collection of instruments and sang the song as a group. Group members sang out while playing an assortment of instruments. It was wonderful to hear all of our voices and musical contributions come together for the final song of the session.