What are patterns? And where do we find them? Patterns are not just found in Math. Patterns play a very important role in music! Without patterns, music might not sound very good.
After discussing what patterns are, the kids created their own body rhythm patterns on paper. We hung one on the wall, and followed it together-not so hard, especialy with all the work we've done following rhythm patterns throughout the year. But then we added a second group following a second pattern. It's alot harder to stay on track when people are using different patterns at the same time!
The definition of music-'vocal or instrumental sounds(or both) combined in such a way as to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion.' According to this definition, music would not be the same without patterns. But, does all music use the same pattern?
Music from the Ancient World is very different from the music we are familiar with, and listen to today. We listened to some samples of music that is familiar to us, some Rend Collective worship music, of course. :) While we listened, we discussed the different patterns that we heard, and why it sounds good to us. And then we listened to some music from North Africa. The music from this part of the world has not changed too much from what it was 2000 years ago. People must enjoy it, because it's been around a very long time. And yet when I asked the kids if they enjoyed it, they shook their heads. And so we discussed the differences-instruments, vocals, but mostly the patterns, and the way the instruments and vocals are used. We aren't familiar with the patterns they use, so it's generally not enjoyable to us. But, if we grew up listening to it, and understood the patterns used, we would most likely enjoy it alot more!
Manchester, NH based fine arts program for homeschool students
