| Establishing
the connections – Contact
Group Experiment: "One to the Many"
1
The group forms a half circle.
One person separates from the group and stands
in front of the half circle.
The single person keeps eyes open but
attention focused inward. The group also keeps their eyes open but places their full
attention on the single person in front of them.
The whole group breathes together for about 2
or 3 minutes.
The single person says a single word. Not a
sound and not a sentences, but a single word.
The group responds in unison by repeating the
word back to the single person.
This cycle is repeated for about 10 minutes.
Silence and focusing of attention for about 2
minutes.
Another person from the group becomes the
single one in the middle and the complete cycle is repeated until everyone has had a
chance to be the single person.
Group Experiment : "One to the Many" 1B
The experiment is the same as the previous one,
except this time the single person in the middle doesn't say a word but makes a sound. It
should be a noise that has no meaning and it should be short. Other than that, there is no
restriction on what kind ofr sound it can be. The whole groups makes the sound back in
unison (as best they can - depending on the sound this may be more or less difficult!)
Group Experiment: "One to the Many" 1C
Again, the same procedure as before. This time
the person in the middle doesn't say a single word or a noise but a complete phrase. The
phrase should be short and simple. The words should be straightforward (no "made
up" words) but the meaning of the whole phrase doesn't have to be. The group repeats
the phrase in unison.
Group Experiment: "One to the Many" 1D
Same procedure as before. This time the person
in the middle sings a short simple melody. The group repeats the melody in unison.
The melody should be at least 3 or 4 notes long but no longer than 8 or 9. It should be
long enough to be recognizable as a melody or melodic fragment but not so long that the
group will have trouble singing it back. After a few attempts and some trial and error
almost everyone will begin to recognize what melodies will work. What if you can't sing?
What if you can't make up melodies? What if you don't know what a melody is? By this
point, you should know these questions won't change the exercise in any way! But do be
aware that our "definition" of melody may include scales that are unusual or
maybe even unheard of previously by the human race! So let it rip and sing away...
Group Experiment: "One to the Many" 1E
Finally, the same process. This time the person
in the middle sings a melody with the lyrics! A short phrase sung in a very simple melodic
fashion. Nothing complicated or extreme. What could be simpler? Give it a chance.
Allow for mistakes and embarrasment. Let it start, let it continue and let it grow. It may
not happen inmediately... but it will happen.
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