Submitted by Steve Flynn, Fontana USD, California
Idea posted October 27, 2008
The following is a game I made to make Boomwhacker® chords, similar to an Idea Bank submission by Sue Michiels.
Again, seat children in rows of 8, diatonic scale. Teach idea of 1, 3, 5 starting with C, F, G, noting that there is a play-skip-play-skip-play pattern in C and F, extend to G chord playing 5th D on bottom. (If you are playing the same time as your neighbor, someone is wrong!) I teach a quick chord sequence 12 bar blues in C (4I, 2IV, 2I, 1V, 1IV, 2I), then announce "Here's where it gets fun!"
Ask children to stand and put the Boomwhacker® on seat behind them. Have high C player move next to low C, then have everyone move one seat to their right and pick up a Boomwhacker® (note the Boomwhacker® stays with the seat). Every student now has a different note. Students then play 12 bar blues again. Call "Boomwhacker® Switch!" and have students move again and repeat until first student is back at original C.
Then, for more fun, announce "Think fast!" Start again, call the switch on the last beat, keep the rhythm going with an 8 count, and start up again. The most time is spent on seeing that the first positioning of kids get the right chord when I show on my hand I, IV, V chords. The initial switches are used to assess that most get the idea. When they've got it, then do the quick switch.