12345678 Boomwhacker and Solfa Challenge!
One of the latest trends has been the 12345678 challenge. And the wonderful Mr. Henry produced a great body percussion challenge on his YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zJRfDYYvwE). I was inspired by this and created one that included pitches using Boomwhackers and Solfa.
Continue reading to check out what the challenge is and how to use this play-along video in the elementary music classroom!
What is the 12345678 Challenge?
The 12345678 Challenge is a rhythmic exercise meant to enhance your timing, coordination, and rhythm awareness. It entails clapping, tapping, or playing a sequence of numbers from 1 to 8 while maintaining a consistent tempo. The key challenge lies in preserving the correct timing throughout the sequence to enhance rhythmic precision and focus.
Step-by-Step Guide to Completing the 12345678 Challenge:
Establish a Steady Rhythm: Begin by setting a steady tempo using a metronome or by tapping your foot. The tempo should be slow enough to focus on accuracy yet fast enough to maintain the rhythm comfortably.
Execute the Sequence: Clap or tap the numbers 1 through 8 in sync with the beat. Assign a specific action for each number:
Clap or tap once for 1.
Clap or tap twice for 2.
Continue this pattern until reaching 8, where you'll clap or tap eight times.
Repeat the Sequence: After reaching 8, go back to 1 and redo the sequence. The objective is to uphold consistent and precise timing without deviations.
Intensify the Challenge: Once you've mastered the basic sequence, you can enhance the difficulty by:
Increasing the tempo.
Reversing the sequence (starting from 8 and counting down to 1).
Incorporating variations like altering the rhythm pattern or clapping/tapping different body parts.
Benefits of the 12345678 Challenge:
Enhanced Timing: Focusing on a steady beat enhances your internal sense of timing, a vital skill for musicians.
Improved Coordination: Coordinating movements with the beat enhances motor skills and dexterity.
Boosted Concentration: Maintaining focus on the sequence and numbers sharpens mental concentration, crucial for intricate musical performances.
Suitable for All Levels: From beginners to experienced musicians, the challenge can be tailored by adjusting the tempo or incorporating variations to match different skill levels.
12345678 87654321 Boomwhacker and Solfa Challenge!
This video contains a play-along where the song is performed slowly with boomwhackers ascending and descending. It then proceeds to perform the same challenge with Solfa, but you can still utilize your boomwhackers.
Between the ascending and descending lines, the students are challenged to perform dance poses for 8 counts. There are several visuals to assist the students with their dance poses.
The students are further challenged to perform it all again at a faster tempo.
How to Teach This Play-Along Video
I would teach this with the manipulatives in the following way that would work best with your students. Please feel free to use these strategies.
Ask the students if they know the 12345678 challenge and if they can demonstrate it for you.
Show how a major scale has 8 pitches and that makes up the scale tones of do re mi fa sol la ti do’.
Then ask how the boomwhackers relate to the scale (they are also in the tones of do re mi fa sol la ti do’ or CDEFGABC.
Open the manipulatives that show the patterns of the challenge.
Have them slowly echo-say the pattern after you. Use shh or claps (if they need to feel the rest better) for the 🤫 emoji.
Then, have them slowly echo and sing the sofa patterns after you.
Explore the patterns using the first half of the play-along video. Explain that when the statues come up, they are to choose one or make up their own for their pose. The pose will last for 8 counts and then they either pose again or read what is coming up next.
Stop the video when it increases the tempo.
Challenge the students by increasing the tempo first without the video.
Then click play and have them increase the tempo with the video.
Explore with small groups and have some perform the boomwhacker challenge at the slow and fast tempos and some explore the solfa challenge at slow and fast tempos.
Manipulatives
Use the manipulatives to assist with teaching this play-along video. They include the patterns and an example from Fin Draper, a drummer from England.
The manipulatives can be found on my Buy Me A Coffee Extras page (https://buymeacoffee.com/elmusedtech).
Enjoy this challenge with your elementary students!
Coming Soon!