What’s a better way to make rhythm learning fun for any ages and level of students?
Use any building blocks equivalent to Lego! I love to experiment. Even after a decade of teaching, I’m constantly trying out new things with different students and I sincerely feel that that’s the way to grow as a teacher, and for your students as well. Most importantly, it’s fun! One of the biggest barriers in learning happens when it is no longer fun. Resistance builds up and it’s harder to take ownership of knowledge.
Each student is unique, has a different view on things, headspace and approach, so something as specialized as music learning, should be catered to the individual as much as possible to maximize potential.
I started experimenting with these last year; it can be done 1:1 or in groups.
There are endless permutations on how to use building blocks as an example for learning rhythm. I’ll share a few so that any of you can takeaway and customize on your own, according to how your student responds- it’s SO interesting to see how each student responds differently when given the same framework to work with.
The key is always to observe how they respond, tap into their creativity, responses and tweak it accordingly.
We do lots of building, writing and mental training; building, analysing, breaking down, integration, understanding.
Beginner level:
- Time meters
- Beaming of notes
- Making sense of each value and their place: Especially Semiquaver, Quaver, Crotchet, Minim
- Build an object from the given rhythms
- Notation and Counting
Intermediate level:
- Compound time
- Use of rests, beaming of compound time
- Making sense of each value and their place: Especially Dotted crotchet, dotted minim
Advanced level:
- Inclusion of exercises from Intermediate level
- Using those rhythms created and play scales or improvise with it on violin (or any instrument)
- Integration of different mental training, purpose and concepts:
- Building rhythm tower in compound time.
- Dismantle it after and build something related to music.
- Then explain how those ideas came about and what it signifies.
Most of these ideas are bounced off of how my students interpreted things and gave inspiration to more of these exercises and experiments.
We need to have faith in them and the things that they come up with are often very surprising and awesome! <3
Have fun experimenting! I’d always appreciate feedback or know how it has worked for you and your students! You can comment on the IG posts here accordingly.