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Plan Number: 019
Title/Lesson/Theme: African Talking Drums
Designed by: Julie Brown & Terri Riegel
Grade level/Discipline: 7th and 8th/Music and Art
Estimated Time: 7-10 thirty minute class periods
Objectives (what will be assessed?):
The student will construct a talking drum. The student will investigate the purpose of talking drums and other drums used in everyday African life. The student will relate the drum to communication devices used in their own daily life
Description/Background:
After discussion and viewing of talking drums, students will then create their own talking drum. They will discuss the history and purpose of the drums, relating it to communication devices they use.
Step by Step Procedure:
* View slide show of drums from "Art and Life in Africa" CD
* Go to the Kennedy Art Center online site for further investigation (provide a hand guide or study guide to assist the students in navigating this site)
* Class room discussion of drums and communication devices in African and American life.
* Begin construction of the drum
* Blow up two balloons that will are in the shape of a teardrop.
* Tie (or tape) the two balloons together at the knots to form a figure 8 shape.
* Around the knots, place newspaper or paper towels evenly on each side to make a concave cylindrical form. (Tape securely)
* Paper mache the form until it is approximately 3/8 to 1/2 inch thick. (This needs to be sturdy enough to sustain the pressure from sides and downward end pressure placed on it while being played.)
* Pop balloons and remove anything left inside form so that form is hollow.
* Paint the exterior of drum.
* Trace the ends of cylinder.
* Add 3/4 inch to edges of circle to create a pattern for the "skin" drumheads.
* Cut drum heads from skin-like material. (e.g.. tanned hides, naugahyde, leather, anything sturdy enough to not rip under the pressure of the strings)
* Using an awl, poke holes around the edges of the skin, placing holes evenly approximately 1" apart. Use the first skins holes to mark the holes for the second skin.
* Using a heavy cord or string of natural material, sew the heads together, approximately 3/4 of the way around. The sewing pattern should go from the underside of one skin, over the top of that, to the underside of the second. This makes an inside to outside, figure 8, pattern. (Be sure to closely observe photos of the drums and stringing pattern.) The skins should be kept far enough apart to allow the cylinder to be placed inside.
* After the heads have been sewn together 3/4 of the way around, slide the cylinder in between the skins. The skins should lie flat on the open ends of the cylinder.
* Tighten the heads down and you finish sewing through the holes.
* As the last hole is sewn, pull the string so the heads make a drumlike sound when tapped. (DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN HERE! There must be enough play for the strings to tighten down when squeezed between the arm and upper torso)
* Make the drums talk for the class!!!
* Any activities may be added at this time to enhance the meaning of communication and drums for the students.
Assignment in CD (essays, chapters):
Random - See Art Images Database, Musical Instruments CD
Studio Materials Needed:
Balloons, newspaper, masking tape, flour, water, "skin" material, natural cording, paint, awl, painting supplies
Vocabulary:
Talking drums, communication, tanning, tension, drum heads, rhythm, repetition, contrast, melodic pattern, nonverbal communication
Evaluation/Assessment tool (how will objectives be assessed?:
Written essay relating methods of communication in African and American Life.
Completion of step-by-step procedure, work ethic.
Evaluation form completed by student and teacher
Bibliography/Alternative resources:
Websites:
Submitted 7/24/98