My name is rap… and I’m a fun game… that helps your kids… see that they’re the same!
New participants still getting to know one another? Everyone into hip-hop and rap? What better way to break the ice than to have them write and perform an original rap about themselves?! “Hi! My Name is…” is a classic name game icebreaker that helps participants express who they are and get to know one another all while learning rhythm/flow, lyric writing and the self-confidence to perform in front of each other.
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How to…
Participants have to come up with a rap that describes who they are, what they like, etc.
Music program staff decide on the number of bars participants have to write (ie. 4, 8 or 12) depending on how much time you have
Participants individually spend 3-5 minutes writing or thinking of their lyrics
At the end of the designated lyric writing time, each participant performs their rap in front of the group
Example:
My name is Anne and I’m the Director Of New City Kids, yeah all 3 centers I love to sing, I love to play You can see me do both, any day
Optional elements to incorporate
Each participant chooses their own beat/instrumental online
Each participant creates one from scratch (using loops or beat making software)
Staff choose one backing track/beat for the whole group – see if everyone can perform their rap one right after another without missing a beat
Have participants also create choreography
Other creative elements could include:
Rap alias nicknames
Costumes
Lyric themes
Performing through a PA system on stage
Recording each rap in the studio
Create a music video
Alternative:
Have participants split up into pairs
Participants tell each other about their likes and interests
Each pair must write a rap about their partner based on the discussion
Participants perform for one another
Example:
Her name is Anne and she’s the Director Of New City Kids, yeah all 3 centers She loves to sing, She loves to play You can see her do both, any day
Five ways to clean up inappropriate language that you’ll swear by!
It’s natural for participants to want to imitate the music they listen to when they first start out recording or performing. In the context of a youth development music program however, the language and content of these songs aren’t always appropriate. This resource provides several approaches to encourage participants to expand their vocabulary and develop opportunities for growth and maturity including knowing your audience, assigning professional studio roles, rewriting lyrics, “three strikes” rule.
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Example #1 – Know Your Audience
“I talk to my students about knowing your audience and the value you get for being flexible. Most times my rappers just want to swear for shock value and because it’s easier than writing how you feel. I just take the time to have a conversation with them and explain the most versatile artists get more gigs, radio play, opportunities and at the end of the day… more dollars!” – Submitted by Corey DePina, Zumix
Ask participants – “How many cuss words can you think of using when you’re angry?”
Then open www.thesaurus.com and look up and explore the word “Angry”
It might also be helpful to also show participants www.rhymezone.com or other rhyming dictionaries
Help participants understand the limits of using typical cuss words versus other words that may expand their vocabulary, set them apart, and better explain their emotions
Example #2 – Assigning Professional Studio Roles
“Younger participants sit-in on sessions with my older teens who are assigned traditional studio roles to make our studio feel more professional. They’re responsible, trusted and naturally influence younger participants and teach them our rules and if not, I can always step in when there’s inappropriate content. I use this as a teachable moment to have open conversations and help create mindfulness.” –Submitted by Javier Lozada, Malden YMCA
Assign professional Studio Roles
Artist – Typically a vocalist (singer or rapper) recording over a pre-recorded track
Producer – Participants who are interested in using technology to create beats using virtual instruments
Engineer – Participants who are more interested in the “behind the scenes” technical aspect of recording like setting up sessions, microphones, mixing, and using effects
Clearly establish the rules of the studio including language expectations
Help older teen participants mentor younger participants on studio rules and expectations
“Love is a Battlefield” – Two teams test their knowledge of commonly used lyrics in love songs!
Music is a universal language and it’s favorite topic is love! This icebreaker activity puts your participants love of music to the test. Which team can identify the most songs that include “Love Lyrics” and which team will leave the game broken-hearted?
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How to…
Decide on the length of the game (ie. first team to “x” number of points or the team with most points after “x” number of minutes/rounds, etc.
Evenly divide a group of participants into two teams or, play off the “love” theme, divide the group into male vs. female.
At the start of each round the staff members pick a “Love Lyric” ie. a specific word that is commonly used in love songs like “Love” or “baby” (see sample list below).
The teams go back and forth and naming songs that include the round’s “Love Lyric”.
Staff members check/google the song’s lyrics to make sure it includes the round’s “Love Lyric”
If a team mistakenly identifies a song that does NOT include the round’s “Love Lyric” then the other team gets a point.
Also, if a team can’t think of a song that includes the round’s “Love Lyric” then the other team gets a point.
Tips and variations:
To keep the game moving quickly, set a time limit of 5 or 10 seconds for each team to think of a song that contains the round’s “Love Lyric”.
Have members sing the lyrics each round
Play love songs in the background while playing the game
“Last one standing” – form a circle, choose a “Love Lyric” and go around the circle naming songs until there is only one person left.
Choose different themes and/or lyrics
Write down songs that you don’t know or add them to a playlist (insight into your members’ musical interests)
Dropmix – part game, part DJ mixer, part ear-trainer… ALL fun!
Dropmix is a new game from Harmonix (the makers of “Rock Band” video game) that lets participants create unique mixes of popular songs by using playing cards connected to an iPad or iPhone. Because it’s a fun game, music programs quickly realize that it’s a great way to engage participants but others have found other creative ways to use Dropmix to teach their participants core musical concepts. Below is some feedback from program directors using Dropmix and the clever ways they incorporate it into their programs.
– “Dropmix has been engaging participants who were typically on the fringe (ie. not very active). They had a lot of fun once they tried it and now I have participants coming to my program just to play!” – Eddie Salas, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County – “Dropmix is a good quick way to get participants in the room and engage them. It really helps me to transition them to other activities once they are here.” – Dustin Cicero, A. Worley Brown Boys & Girls Club – “It has been great for getting more kids involved that would normally just “hang out”. The game makes interacting with music a fun and non-intimidating activity. It’s also perfect for getting brand new participants involved, excited, and having fun as soon as they walk in.” – Alex Delorey, Methuen YMCA – “I was skeptical at first but it has been helpful with programming because it has been a draw for some kids who wouldn’t traditionally come into the music room. It feels less intimidating to play a game than learning an instrument.” – Chris Knox, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County
Example #2 – Bracket Competition
“I have the kids listen when they play a card and try to explain what they hear changing in the music before they play a new card.” –Submitted by Chris Knox, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County
Friday bracket competition
Play every Friday and be sure to plug the game into large speakers!
Set up a simple/traditional bracket system to play multiple games/rounds
The total number of participants who want to play will determine if the bracket will be made up of solo players or you need to create groups/teams of participants.
Whether individuals or groups – the standard rules apply
Each week the winner (or group) gets a small prize
Engage large groups
Assign one or two responsible group leaders who will hold all of the cards.
The group leaders prompt participants with questions like “what type of beat should come next?” or “how can we completely change the vibe of the song?”
Group leaders get the group to discuss what they are hearing and collaboratively agree on which card to play next.
Participants debate and defend their favorite songs and create their own “Billboard” playlist
Do your participants know a lot about the latest and hottest tracks in popular music? Put theDo your participants know a lot about the latest and hottest tracks in popular music? Put their musical knowledge and opinions to the test by helping them create a collaborative weekly Top 10 playlist. Split participants into groups and have them nominate current songs or artists they think should be on the Top 10 list. When the groups come back together, they’ll have a debate to decide on a final Top 10 list for the week. ir musical knowledge and opinions to the test by helping them create a collaborative, weekly Top 10 playlist. Split participants into groups and have them nominate current songs/artists they think should be on the Top 10 list. When the groups come back together, they’ll have debate and agree on a final Top 10 list for the week.
In additional participants will:
Develop critical listening skills and identify key song elements
Be exposed to different kinds of music
Learn to respectfully engage in a group discussion and communicate their ideas
Get to know their peers and their musical tastes
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How to…
Check out current top hits on the Billboard 100 as a jumping off point to keep things current
Decide on the week’s Top 10 debate theme, for example:
Specific artist
Genre
Songs from particular decades
Split participants into small groups
Participants will come up with ideas based on the theme
Each participant should have the opportunity to speak and provide input
The group reaches a consensus and decides on their Top 10 List
Each group nominates a representative to present their Top 10 List
Small groups all get together
Each small group representative makes a case for their Top 10 List
Staff member moderates a discussion and allows participants to defend their song selections
The goal is to determine a master Top 10 List by voting on each others’ choices
Voting process
Staff posts each group’s #1-10 list on a whiteboard so everyone can see the options
Start “secret” voting with the #10 choice for each group to create one Master List. For example:
Say there were 3 groups each with songs list #1 through #10
All the participants put their heads down
Staff read each #10 song out loud and tally the participants’ votes (raise of hand) for which of the 3 songs deserves the #10
The song with the most votes lands at #10 on the master list
Repeat this process until you get to the # 1 song
The final Master List serves as the “Billboard Top 10” for that week. Each week you can start comparing where songs move up and down on the list.
A fun, weekly contest in which each kid chooses a song that expresses the “emotion of the week”
The winner is the one who finds a song that best evokes the emotion of the week, as voted by their peers! The real treasure is helping kids understand how music can be a personal window into emotions and experiences.
In addition, participants:
Learn about the building blocks that make up a song
Hone their listening skills
Get to know each other better by articulating their ideas
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How to…
Every Monday, write down the emotion of the week and display it in the room (somewhere prominent). For example, “Fear”
Participants spend the rest of the week thinking about what song makes them feel “fear.”
You can also explore these themes in your songwriting workshops through the week.
Participants write down the artist and title of the song they think best represents the week’s emotion and bring it in on Friday.
As a group, listen to each entry, and discuss whether or not it evokes the emotion of the week.
Participants should consider:
Song form
Song key
Chord changes
Instrumentation
Lyrics
Production elements
At the end of the listening session, participants vote on a winner whose song best represents the emotion of the week.
The winner gets to choose the emotion for next week.
