Instrumental Reception Notations - Anything goes instrumental

The "Anything Goes" instrumental activity is an engaging musical game designed for children to practice improvisation and rhythmic coordination. In this exercise, children sit in a circle with two xylophones or sets of chime bars placed in the middle, enabling partners to face each other while playing. Each instrument is accompanied by a pair of beaters. As part of the game, the children chant rhythmic notations while passing a beanbag around the circle in time with the pulse of the music. When the word 'me' is reached in the chant, the child holding the beanbag selects a partner, and they both sit in front of the instruments ready to begin their improvisational journey.

The structure of the game encourages the children to take turns creating spontaneous melodies on the xylophones or chime bars. The first to play is the child who ended up with the beanbag. To add an element of structure to the improvisation, another child is given a cymbal or bell to signal the end of the instrumental play after a certain duration. The activity is designed to foster musical dialogue between partners, allowing them to respond to each other's melodies and rhythms. As the game progresses, children learn that they have the freedom to play any combination of notes, including playing multiple notes simultaneously, although it may take some time for them to fully embrace the concept of free-form improvisation. This game not only helps in developing improvisational skills but also teaches children to engage in a form of musical conversation, enhancing their listening and collaborative abilities.