and Temple Yards

Study Guide
TeachingILearning Sequence
Level: Grade 2 - adult
1. Demonstrate the five drum strokes of the Vietnamese drum. Recite the mnemonic,
followed by the stroke itself. Increase the number of strokes to eight or more.
Example:
Chant: cic c$c cic cac cic ciic
cic cac
(on margin of &urn skin)
2. Using classroom drums, suggest the possible ways in which such instruments can
be played to create the most variety of sounds. Substitute desks, table tops, plastic
garbage pails, oatmeal boxes and pencil drum sticks, if necessary. Encourage group
members to experiment.
Choose onomatopoeic syllables, or mnemonics, to represent the sound of the
various drum strokes discovered.
3. Listen to the recording:
In this drumming illustration, the composition is based on the 4-beat (2 weak, 2
strong) pattern in the first sequence. This is the most common in Vietnam in both folk and
art music. The rhythmic cycle is doubled to 8 beats (4 weak, 4 strong) but in equal playing
time and tempo in therest of the sequences. Each example is played with only 1 1 strong beats;
the first strong beat is omitted, leading to an emphasis on the second strong beat.
Note the additive nature of the piece, as various percussion instruments are played in
the sequences.
Follow the notation of these sequences on the next page. The last percussion piece
(about one minute in duration) is a full extension of possible rhythmic
combinations.
4. Chant the mnemonics of the drum theme and its three variations, as indicated in #3.
Following adequate practice, chant rhe mnemonic syllables along with the
recording.
5. As an extension of#2 participants may wish to compose and perform their own drum
or percussion pieces.
Choose a percussion instrument and explore its sound possibilities.
Assign mnemonic syllables to the suunds.
Create a pattern of 8 to 24 beats or more of sound.
Pegorm the piece,Jirst chanting the mnemonics then playing it.
Combine several instruments together for a polyrhythmic eflect.