Kalani presents five world music-style rhythm arrangements that feature instruments from five main categories, bass drum, hand drum, wood, shaker/scraper, and bell. Each rhythm part is easy to learn and play for participants of any skill level. All the rhythms are demonstrated on the accompanying audio CD and performed for eight minutes each.
In the Games section, a variety of cooperative learning activities are clearly outlined in a step-by-step process-oriented format. Process includes Time span, Instruments needed, Other materials (if needed), Focus, National Standards for Music Education, Multiple Intellingences, Music Therapy applications, Preparation, Process, Extension, and Discussion. Games vary in style and focus from visual to kinesthetic, and from verbal to mathematical. Some use props, but many can be played without using instruments (either with vocal or body percussion).
As an added benefit, Kalani provides a full set of reproducible Drum Circle Music Cards. DCM Cards are graphic representations of rhythm cycles that are easy to follow and illustrate the cyclical nature of rhythm in a visual/spatial format. Each card may be rotated 90,180, or 270 degrees to produce a new rhythm. There is also a blank card so students can create their own.
Complete Instructions for building five instruments as home or school projects are also included.
The Enhanced CD is both an audio CD and multi-media CD-rom. It features video of most of the games being played in a drum circle setting, viewable from any Macintosh or Windows-based computer.