training in skill and agility, certain exercises may be practiced at increased or
reduced speeds rather than at optimum tempo.

Accompaniment

Various forms of accompaniment are suitable for rhythmic gymnastics. Among
these are the plano, phonogreph recordings, and percussion instruments such as the
drum and tom-tom. The pianc, with a skillful accompanist is the most desirable.
Satisfactory results can be cbtained, however, through the use of recording or
percussion instruments.

In the selection of music
a. Good collections of musical materials are available for the piano.
(See bibliography for suggesticns)
b. Commercial recordings are numerous and acceptable.
c.. There is a growing practice of making one's own recordings from
original material. |

In the use of accompaniment the teacher is cautioned to (1) avoid undue stress
of accent in measure and phrase, and (2) avcid using the same selection again and
again for the same moveuent.

Anyone with ordinary sense cf rhythm can use percussion instruments success-—
fully and technique can be developed tc a high degree. Excellent results are ob-
tained if the accompanist swings intc the movement as she beats the instrument.
The teacher inexperienced in percussicn technique shculd start by using a single
drum, which provides basic rhythm, but ne melody... As still develops, several
drums tuned differently may be used, as well as gongs and wosden blocks to provide
rudimentary melody. The rhythmic pattern should be varied to avoid monotony.

Conditioning!

a. Stretching and general conditioning (Objective 1).
1. Standing stride positicn bend at waist body hanging loosely from hips,
ounce trunk forward, sideward.

 

1 See appencix fer a glossary of terns.

. Standing stride, circle trunk.

Sitting, knees bent cutward, feet together, bounce down, then stretch

body from base of spine tc neck. :

4. Sitting, legs forward, knees extended, dc 3.

5. Repeat with arms in various raised positions.

6. Sitting wide stride, do 3 forward and sideward.

7. Lie on back, one leg raised vertically. Flex both knees slightly and
flex both ankles as much as possible... The sole of the raised foot
should be parallel with the ceiling. On Count 1, extend both knees and
both ankles without moving the heel that is on the floor. On Count 2,

Moo
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