How to Create a Song Chain

In this activity, a group of young (or older) people will work together to create a “song chain.” In a song chain, each phrase or section of a song is written by a different musician. Each participant starts their creation where the previous one left off. This activity is similar to a Story Chain, Chain Storytelling, or “Continue the Story” activity – but with singing and instruments. For instance, responding to the prompt “Being at home makes me feel…”, Musician A will begin the song by singing a simple musical melody or phrase. Musician A will pass the song to Musician B, who will add and record a new line, and then pass the song to Musician C and so on.

Details

  • Time: 1 hour (or more if you want!)
  • Materials/Equipment:
    Yourself, a group of friends, phones or tablets to record video, any instruments
    (including your voice and found-object instruments)
  • Potential Apps to Use:
    VSCO app ($); BeeCut (Free); VivaVideo (free with watermark); any video
    conferencing platform like Zoom, FaceTime, WhatsApp Video

What you will get out of this (objectives)

  • Demonstrate rhythm, beats, tempos, pitch and dynamics
  • Demonstrate song writing, storytelling, and performance
  • Practice creating music as a team, collaboration

For the full Song Chain activity please click below to download the printer-friendly PDF!

 

 

Donating=Connecting

We can see now more than ever the importance of music to connect us during times of crisis and the ability of music to be a strong healing force. This is exactly what we do at Amani Project. Amani Project combines music, do-it-yourself instrument-making, and social-emotional learning in clubs for young people ages 8-14. Our programs exist specifically to prepare young people to be more resilient during times like these, as well as how to make sense and contextualize their emotions with what’s happening in their local communities. We need your support to continue offering our programs and resources at no cost. We know that many of you are also experiencing economic upheaval in addition to this public health crisis, but please consider donating the money you might have used to see a movie or purchase a concert ticket or to visit a museum in the next few weeks.

Monthly Donation

♥ $3 / month
♥ $5 / month
♥ $15 / month
♥ $30 / month

One-Time Donation

Don’t want to make a monthly donation, no problem! We greatly appreciate a one-time donation in any amount!

Do you have a Donor Advised Fund (DAF)?

We love Donor Advised Funds, do you have one? Since we are a nonprofit, you can easily give to us through your DAF platform by searching for us by name “Amani Project” (we are the one registered in Los Angeles) or by our Tax ID number 81-3907959. For more information about how to use your DAF to donate to us, please contact bree@amaniproject.org