Percussion

The percussion workshop is implemented in at least two consecutive time blocks with the aim of increasing the competence of young people in the field of rhythm, music and playing percussion.

The aim of the activities was, through music and rhythm, to create better cooperation between young people, listening to each other and realizing the belonging and strength of the group. When this was achieved, a significant improvement in the group's mood, relaxation and ease was seen.

Percussion workshops are led by passionate musician and experienced lecturer Lukáš Koncz. In 2023, we managed to implement this workshop in 12 elementary schools, with over 450 students

Each workshop begins with an introduction of the lecturer, the activity, setting the dynamics of the group, later the lecturer presents percussion, what it is made of, where it comes from, its history and the use of these instruments in modern music. followed by a free discussion about music, playing musical instruments and the influence of music on a person. After that, we will explain and try the basic beats on the individual drums with the students, and most of them will be able to master the basic rhythm of the combination of the right and left hands. When the students have become familiar with percussion, they are divided into groups and a more complex combination of rhythms and the whole group plays together. When the students gain self-confidence and become more relaxed, a demonstration of more complex rhythms and memory work (mnemonics) follow. After the break, the group improves in the combination of more complex rhythms and practices improving the coordination of movements.

At the next meeting, the students repeated the rhythms and their combinations from the last meeting, we tried working with rhythms and with other counting, which was more demanding, especially for coordinating the work of the hands. This was followed by a free discussion and a comparison of things mastered so far with current popular music genres (hip hop, rock, pop, etc.)

At the next meeting, the students repeated the rhythms and their combinations from the last meeting, we tried working with rhythms and with other counting, which was more demanding, especially for coordinating the work of the hands. This was followed by a free discussion and a comparison of things mastered so far with current popular music genres (hip hop, rock, pop, etc.)

The students then chose the song they wanted to drum, or composed their own compositions.

During the final circle, we will recap what we went through together during the creative days, what we learned and give each other feedback.

In almost all the workshops, many students showed a great desire to create, get involved, interest and joy in themselves and their progress. It was a great joy for everyone, when the overall synchronization of the group was achieved, they felt what it's like to sound as one whole, to be part of something unique that they created themselves and to bear momentary responsibility for the result and to keep the group in rhythm.

After the workshop, a better mood, relaxation, but also tolerance and a greater connection between individuals and the group were clearly visible.

We implemented the event through the Zaježovňa project, which was supported by grants from the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic in the field of youth work, which is administered by NIVAM - the National Institute of Education and Youth.