This summer I attended a Melody Bober workshop at our local music store. It was a wonderful workshop, and among the practical ideas Melody shared was the idea for this rhythm chart. I made one on my own a couple of weeks later and have already used it numerous times in my lessons.
Side one contains easier rhythm patterns:
Side two contains harder rhythm patterns:
I made this by printing out these rhythm patterns, cutting them into 8.5″ squares and taking them to our local teacher resource center and laminating them on a 40″ wide laminating machine. I reinforced the top with a strip of posterboard glued to each side of the lamination. Then I punched two holes in the top and placed a metal ring in each hole. These rings can hang from thumbtacks I stuck in the wall at the appropriate width until I get a permanent chart hanger in place.
The primary way I’ve used the chart so far is by pulling out two rhythm instruments – one for the student and one for myself. I give a 4 beat count-in (since all the rhythms are in 4/4) and then play one of the rhythm patterns. The student has to determine which rhythm pattern I played. Then we play and count it together. The student then chooses a rhythm pattern, gives me a count-in, and plays the pattern. I have to guess which pattern he/she played. Then, we play and count it together. If the student is doing well with this, or is already more advanced, I do two or three rhythm patterns in a row and they have to determine which patterns I played in the correct order.
I’m sure there are many other uses for this chart, so I need to take some time to think of some other ideas for individual lessons and group classes. But for now we’re having a fun time just playing this simple game!
Natalie,
You are awesome! I have really enjoyed all the stuff you put on your site. I’m in TX and have taught since 97, although I am 4 yrs older than you. You’ve done so much! It’s wonderful, I can imagine myself having time to do all that if I didn’t have a 3 and 1 yr old!! Keep it up!
Jennifer (Arlington,TX)
Thanks for your kind words, Jennifer! I’m sure you do have your hands full with a couple of little ones! Thanks for the encouragement.
HI-
I did this same thing and we’ve actually created movements for each of the notes. We then count out the whole thing and do the motions that it is. For instance: quarter note is touching my shoulers, dotted half and eighth is dragging my hand down my other arm and then snapping. If the students get really good with this then I just do the motion and they have to guess the rhythm. I also do my boomwhackers with this- each students plays his note when he sees it. If he sees two half note and he’s a half note then he plays his boomwhacker.
Hi Lisa!
That’s a great idea! I’ll have to give the movements a try. I don’t have boomwhackers, but I’m sure the kiddos love that variation.
I think your site is great. At 41 I am learning to play the keyboard. This is a life long dream. I now reach the scales they are pretty hard to remember,but I still at it. Thank you very much for your emails,I look forward for them everyday.