Recommended Websites:
ClickSchooling list member, MaryAnna, wrote,
“I tried to find a website about something we did as kids — making music by hand clapping, finger snapping, and slapping various body parts using various rhythms. (One part of it sounded like a galloping horse.) Cheerleaders did a variation of it, and some of the guys did it as recreation in the school yard — many were incredibly talented… “
Turns out the style of music she describes is called Hambone. It originated with African-American slaves who were deprived of drums and created a way to make music and dance through body percussion. Here are some websites that expound on this unique form of musical expression:
Derique
Derique is one of the consummate Hambone performers. At this PBS website you can watch a video (approximately 15 minutes) about how he got started playing Hambone and hear about his passion for passing down the African-American history of Hambone through his performances. Watch Derique perform Hambone — and see how he has combined Hambone with high-tech! If you like the sample clip, you can purchase the video from PBS. You can also download a free “educator guide.”
Then, if you are inspired to learn more, check out….
Body Percussion: Hambone
At this website, you’ll find a lesson plan for how to teach Hambone. View the 2-3 minute online video that demonstrates Hambone. Then read through the lesson plan components that offer some ideas and activity suggestions for how to encourage classroom students to try their hand at Hambone. The ideas can be tweaked for homeschool use.
Have fun!
