Musical Educational Program on Ethnic Percussions with Davide Roberto
Target Audience: Primary and Secondary School
Duration: One academic year (approximately 36 sessions, 1 hour each)

Educational Objectives

• Rhythmic Education: Develop a sense of rhythm and motor coordination.

• Active Listening: Improve the ability to listen and interact within the group.

• Musical Creativity: Explore the sound possibilities of ethnic percussion and recycled materials.

• Intercultural Awareness: Learn about Afro-Mediterranean, Latin American, and Southern Italian musical traditions.

• Socialization: Promote teamwork through collective musical activities.

• Sustainability: Raise awareness about creative recycling for building musical instruments.

Program Structure

Rhythmic Sensitization

• Body percussion games to develop an internal sense of rhythm and pulse.

• Synchronized motor exercises to explore the body-music relationship.

Listening and Musical Dynamics

• Exercises to perceive sound and silence as complementary elements in music.

• Rhythmic "call and response" games to stimulate reciprocal listening.

Introduction to Ethnic Percussion

• Presentation of instruments (Cajon, Tambourine, Djembè, Congas, Pandeiro, Darbouka, etc...), their history, and cultural origins.

• Experimentation with the basic techniques of each instrument.

Exploration of Afro-Mediterranean, Latin, and Italian Rhythms

• Gradual learning of traditional rhythms from around the world:

  • Afro: Rhythms like Kuku.

  • Arab: Rhythms such as Saidi and Maqsoum.

  • Latin: Various Cuban clave rhythms and Brazilian patterns.

  • Italian: Rhythms like Tammurriata and Tarantella.

Building Percussions with Recycled Materials

• Creation of percussions using recycled materials.

• Decoration of instruments and sound experimentation with the final results.

Introduction and Development of the Drum Circle

• Initial Drum Circle activities focusing on group listening and rhythmic synchronization.

• Progression towards collective compositions and guided improvisations, fostering creativity.

Teamwork and Musical Leadership

• Activities to enhance group cohesion and foster a sense of belonging.

• Introduction to the role of the Drum Circle facilitator, with students experimenting with conducting.

Creating Original Rhythmic Compositions

• Collaborative work to design and develop short rhythmic compositions.

• Combined use of ethnic instruments, body percussion, and recycled instruments.

Final Performance and Sharing

• Preparation of a concluding musical event open to parents and teachers.

• Integration of all acquired skills: ethnic rhythms, recycled instruments, Drum Circle, and creativity.

Didactic Approaches

• Collective Workshop: Activities are always conducted in groups to encourage active participation.

• Guided Improvisation: The instructor stimulates creativity while leaving space for students' ideas.

• Experiential Learning: Learning through listening, doing, practical exercises, and shared reflections.