rhythm diagrams
Alma Mater Blues Rhythm
(Over time, different teachers have faced situations in which a student finds it challenging to process the Alma Mater Blues rhythm. Here are Neil’s thoughts on how to handle such situations, video posted September 28, 2022. Below his video tip are two representative posts/questions within…
Light Blue FABE Variation Rhythm
I’m still having difficulty with the variation of Light Blue. Watching Neil over and over with the rhythm in the hands hasn’t helped me. Either it needs to be slowed down or written out for me so that I can SEE it. Could someone maybe…
Compound Time
Advanced Teachers: Talk to me about how to approach teaching compound time is this in relation to any particular piece? For example Greensleeves is in 6/8 and High Five is in 12/8. I would keep the explanation simple to students, but it’s basically dividing the…
Shoo-Fly Rhythm
I came up with a new thing to help with the different but similar rhythms in Shoo-Fly (Level 5): Banana (G-B-G) & grape grape grape grape (G- Bbx4) Apple (B-G) Banana (G-B-G) Students often get confused with the similar little phrases… banana and apple helped…
Reading Rhythm and Swing
Right now I have several students who are simultaneously going through RR and Accompaniment Variations. As such, it *seems* like a logical step to start including swing rhythm as a variation when learning to read 8th notes (doubles). However, there is not a single discussion…
Consolidating Level 1 and Being Conscious of the Base-tools
I have been teaching for almost two years now, and until recently have never felt really satisfied with how I have ‘wound up’ Level 1 for students -meaning how I have given them a real sense of accomplishment, ushering them into Level 2 without losing…