Continuous Call and Response: Rhythm Activities for Groups

Activity Summary:

This is a clapping call and response – so I will play a rhythm (the call) and you will clap it back to me (the response).  What’s different is normally I would wait in silence while you respond.  I’m not going to wait in this version.  While you’re clapping your response, I’ll be playing the new call rhythm.  So I never stop calling, and you never stop responding.

The trick is to clap to the current call while listening to the new call at the same time.  Then respond to that call while listening to the next call, and so on and so on.

Let’s try it.  We’ll start easy and as you get comfortable, we’ll ramp up the difficulty.

Ready?

• This is where the choice of playback instrument is crucial (I heart my cowbell!).  Participants must be able to clearly hear your rhythms above whatever noise they’re making, so use something on a different tonal scale than clapping (or stomping).
• Repeat the instructions and try not to do any additional explaining.  Use the rhythms you play to define the activity.  For example, if all of your call and response phrases are in one measure, then the first couple rounds should be quarter note patterns.  I’d additionally suggest repeating the first two or three rhythms several times.
• To simplify things for yourself, rotate between four rhythms.

• Try stomping, scatting, humming as responses – or anything else sound-based.
• In pairs or groups, have participants alternate leading the call.

This is a clapping call and response – so I will play a rhythm (the call) and you will clap it back to me (the response). 

What’s different is normally I would wait in silence while you respond.  I’m not going to wait in this version.  

While you’re clapping your response, I’ll be playing the new call rhythm.  So I never stop calling, and you never stop responding.

The trick is to clap to the current call while listening to the new call at the same time.  Then respond to that call while listening to the next call, and so on and so on.

Let’s try it.  We’ll start easy and as you get comfortable, we’ll ramp up the difficulty.

Ready?

• This is where the choice of playback instrument is crucial (I heart my cowbell!).  Participants must be able to clearly hear your rhythms above whatever noise they’re making, so use something on a different tonal scale than clapping (or stomping).
• Repeat the instructions and try not to do any additional explaining.  Use the rhythms you play to define the activity.  For example, if all of your call and response phrases are in one measure, then the first couple rounds should be quarter note patterns.  I’d additionally suggest repeating the first two or three rhythms several times.
• To simplify things for yourself, rotate between four rhythms.

• Try stomping, scatting, humming as responses – or anything else sound-based.
• In pairs or groups, have participants alternate leading the call.