ID: 657
Date: 1980s - 2006
Title: Concentration
Gender: Male and Female 
Classification: Clapping 
Rhyme: 

Concentration, concentration is the game,
Keep the rhythm, keep the rhythm going.
1,1,6,6,- 6,6,4,4, - 4,4,5,5, - 4,5,6 (out).

(Christchurch, 2006)

--

Con-CEN- tration, Con-CEN-tration,
Now begins,
Keep the rhythm moving, keep the rhythm moving,
Start now,
1,2,2,3,3,4,4,5.. 

(Auckland, 1980s; Waitakere, 2001; Nelson, 2002;  Titahi Bay, 2003; Blenheim, 2003; Timaru, 2004)

--

Con-cen-tra-tion,
Concentration, here we go,
Keep the rhythm,
Keep the rhythm to the beat,
Count down starts now,
0,1-1,2-2,3-3,4-4,5-5,6-6,7..

(Porirua, 2000)

--

Concentration, concentration, now begins,
Keep the rhythm, keep the rhythm moving on,
A-Aaron, B-Barbara,( The aim is to recall names for each letter of the alphabet, or alternatively other categories that are selected.)

(Whangarei, 1980s)

--

Concentration, concentration, concentration,
Sixty four, sixty four, sixty four,
No repeats, no repeats, no repeats,
Or hesitations, or hesitations, or hesitations,
Category, category, category,
(Enter a category e.g. food )
Pasta, pasta, pasta,
Banana, banana, banana (And so on, can either be in alphabetical order or otherwise.)

(Auckland, 2002)

--
 
Background Info: Often played in a group sitting in a circle and clapping hands on knees. Each player is allocated a number that is used in the 'calling'. The game can begin with this rhythm- establishing chant and continues until the rhythm is lost or a player makes a 'calling' error, as in sound clip. (Personal observation)

==

Bauer, 2002, Sect.70:23-24  collected a version from the Hamilton area:

Concentration, concentration, navigation,
Keep the rhythm, keep the rhythm moving,
Start now.
[X] (any name)
I'm first (then just say names in the rhythm until someone misses).

==
 
Keywords: categories. 
Location: Various NZ, 
Group size: 6 
Incidence: 10