creative suggestions for a music class ?

[buzby]

i am doing some work at a music school where there are courses being held for people who are unemployed - some of the class, which usually number around 15-20 people, are musicians and some not.

the school does nt have so many instruments as it is more of a place where usually people bring there own instruments for getting lessons - cello, violin etc

anyways - i have the task of filling 3 x 4 hour lessons which should consist of giving people ideas for building up tracks etc. -

we have done a couple of courses and the end product (being a short piece of recorded music) has turned out fine but the problem lies in keeping everyone busy and interested during the class.

i am using a laptop and have ableton up on a big screen but a lot of the time i am the only one doing anything as im the only one with a computer - so does anyone have any ideas for how to make people in the class more involved

the last class we went out sample collecting and i tried to get people to say what they like when we are editing sounds in ableton etc and then have built up loops for people to play along to with the end result being a bit of a jam which we record

like i said this is ok but it means a lot of the time people are sat watching whilst i am doing all the work in abe ...

any suggestions for creative/interesting work flows would be appreciated - next class is on monday

thanks

[martinkellogs]

edited

[yeahyeahwahwah]

I discovered a book called Slap Happy:

http://www.dancinghands.com/slap_happy_ ... ythms.html

Really cool rhythms, using hands, feet, and partner.

Very good for illustrating syncopation.

[buzby]

thanks guys

keep em coming