Freedom in Music

The group began with a warm up to get acquainted with the different musical instruments and options. This was followed by some more structured exercises where group members were invited to create their own rhythmic phrases that the rest of the group would repeat back in a call and response fashion.

The group then began a melodic improvisation. Since the group was smaller, this gave us the opportunity to each play a melodic instrument, the ukulele, piano, guitar, kalimba and xylophone. Each melodic instrument had the C and E notes marked with a colourful sticker. The group improvisation consisted of two different sections; in section one participants were instructed to just play the two marked notes, in section two participants could then play freely and expand to all notes on their instrument. The group toggled between the two sections, any player could raise their hand to cue other players into the following section. The group laughed as the young baby raised her hand at one point to cue players.

In the verbal discussion that followed, group members shared their preference for section two where they had full freedom to play and express how they chose. The group then created a storm improvisation, where through using instruments they created the soundscape of a storm passing through.

Participants chose to finish with music listening and song sharing, each group member shared a song of meaning with the group and discussed its importance in their life and family.