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Laurie Richards, Nebraska

We had some fun in one of my classes last week. This group recently started processing rhythm tracks in RR. I decided to try some syllables other than “bum bum”‘s. We used their names.

There are 3 in that class – Grant, Anna, and Reagan. We voiced the tracks using:
S = Grant
D = Reagan
Q = Anna Peters

So a rhythm track of D D S Q would have sounded like “Reagan, Reagan, Grant, AnnaPeters”

We did a couple of lines like this, and the kids LOVED it. Even though they really got to giggling, we processed quite a bit. I  think that processing them in this way will help them internalize the evenness necessary in the rhythms. You know what I mean – they see a bunch of quads coming up, and often when they get to them, they sort of spaz out on them. Or they can’t quite keep up the same tempo with them.

I plan on having some more fun with this. I dare you do try some rhythms with the following syllables without laughing:
S = snort
D = heehaw
Q = I’m a doofus

A little silliness now and then goes a long way with kids. And some adults. But I’m not mentioning any names!

Kate H., Australia

“tea”
“teevee”
“televison”
and for combinations of quavers and semiquavers:
“playstation”
“video”