Kalani’s World Rhythms is a world music program that supports social and emotional goals.
PROGRAM GOALS
Musical
• Expand knowledge of world drumming instruments
• Increase drumming skills and techniques
• Improve sense of pulse, timing and syncopated rhythms
• Improve arranging and performance skills
Movement
• Expand movement repertoire
• Increase ability to apply movement to music
• Improve fine and gross motor skills
• Improve coordination between self and others
Social
• Improve focus, listening and presentation skills
• Improve ability to co-create and work with others
• Increase feelings of belonging and mutual support
• Elevate awareness of cultural diversity and appreciation
• Develop pro-social values and behaviors
Why is learning World Music important?
When students engage in traditional forms of drumming and music, they gain skills and knowledge
that may not be found in more casual experiences, such as drum circles and rhythm games. These
skills and knowledge include:
• learning about the instruments, their techniques and traditional uses.
• learning how to play, combine and perform specific rhythms.
• singing traditional songs and learning about the stories and meaning behind them.
• gaining an appreciation for music of diverse cultures.
• improvising and composing music within a specific genre.
• working with their peers to learn, arrange, practice and perform.
• developing the skills and musicianship required for performing traditional music.
SONGS:
- Caribbean: Tambor & Zunzun
- Brazil: Paranaue & Baiana
- West Africa: Moribayassa & Kakilamba
SKILLS AND OBJECTIVES
After completing the World Rhythms program, both teacher and student will be able to:
• identify instruments common to Caribbean, Brazilian and West African musical traditions.
• position, hold and tune (if needed) a wide variety of world percussion drums and percussion
instruments.
• play the bass and open tones on congas and djembe.
• play the high and low tones on the bongos, cajon, agogo bell and cowbell.
• play the open and closed tones on the surdo and dundun drums.
• play basic rhythm patterns on shaker, block, rattle, maracas and claves.
• demonstrate an ability to arrange drums and percussion instruments into an ensemble.
DIGITAL CONTENT INCLUDED:
Audio Recordings
• 6 Full Performance Song Mixes (vocals, student percussion, Orff instrument parts and rhythm
bed accompaniment
• 6 Accompaniment Song Mixes (without vocals)
• 6 Percussion Ensemble Demos (each part is layered in)
Instructional Videos
• 6 Percussion Ensemble Demos (each part is layered in)
• 14 “How-to-Play” Instrument Lessons (Caxixi, Shaker, Maracas, Cowbell, Agogo, Woodblock,
Claves, Tamborim, Conga, Bongos, Djembe, Cajon, Dundun, Surdo)
• 6 “How-to-Tune” Instrument Instructions (Tamborim, Conga, Bongos, Djembe, Dundun, Surdo)
• “How-to-Teach” Instrument Rhythms with PUPS (Pulse Under Pattern Sequence)
Student Parts – Downloadable Notation
• Singer Parts
• Percussion Ensembles
• Optional Orff Parts
Note to teachers: Chord symbols are included in the full scores for an
optional ukulele/guitar connection.
Kalani’s World Rhythms is Published by Hal Leonard.
