Submitted by Sandy Elder, Michigan
Idea posted May 28, 2002
Question: Musical compositions... determined by the roll of a die?
Answer: I sent a "chance composition" lesson to the list last year. Here's a dice version.
MATH ADAPTATION:
Give each kid or team of kids two dice, a sheet of 12 measures of stick-notated rhythms, a paper prepared with eight blank measures, scissors, and a pencil. Cut apart rhythms. Write a number on back of each (1-12). Roll the dice. This is the rhythm that is measure 1. Write it in the blank and continue until the composition is written. Practice and perform it (clapping or on percussion).
Problem: For a true "chance operations" piece, there should be the possibility of repetition within the song and there isn't in the above. For solution, try the below:
ORIGINAL LESSON:
Give the kids a page full of little rhythm measures in stick notation (16+ rhythms), a pencil, scissors, and a paper prepared with blank measures (8 or 16). Procedure: Cut apart the rhythms and fold them into tiny pieces. Stir the pile. Pull one out. This is measure 1. Write it down in the blank. IMPORTANT: Put that rhythm back in the pile! Stir and continue...
Practice and perform.