Using words to learn rhythms
Found in: Reading
Cheri S., Utah
Does anyone use words for reading rhythm streams instead of buh-buhs? I’ve always used it as a fun variation.
But recently I had one student who was a bit stuck at the rhythm-into-fingers phase. And I realized he was stuck because he couldn’t make sense of the buh-buh-buh-buh rhythm. He could never remember what to say, and when he remembered, he struggled to keep it smooth and rhythmic. I switched to “huckleberry” today, and his issues were instantly fixed. That made me wonder if words might not work better for everyone.
Words take the abstract concept of rhythm and make it completely concrete and physical. Well-chosen words do this naturally and effortlessly. It seems to fit with Simply Music’s natural approach. We do use the “humpty-dumpty” rhythm that was for Alma Mater and other things.
And the Reading Rhythm program uses left-right. Is there any reason not to use a word for the quads/16ths too? Maybe there’s something I haven’t thought of? And once we start reading rhythm streams is there any reason not to use words all the time, instead of just sometimes for fun?
Mark M., New York
SDQ = pear, apple, watermelon — or cheese, sausage, pepperoni.
Becc S., Australia
I had some students singing ‘beef ravioli’ as they play so they can get the rhythm. And they get funny looks from their family at home. Another one I’ve been using recently is Lift, Fan-ta, Co-ca Co-la.
Robin Keehn, Washington
Honestly, I just teach Bum, Bum, etc…and I make sure that it is a closed syllable, not an open vowel at the end. Nothing to memorize; it’s all the same.
Becc S., Australia
We use words for rhythm in the training, like Humpty Dumpty and Blueberry Mouthful. I also get kids to clap their names and family names to demonstrate rhythm. Just saying it a couple of times over a certain section can clear up confusion. It’s a bout making it as easy as possible for the student.
Stephen R., California
I remember hearing “Tea, coffee, cappuccino”.
Laurie Richards, Nebraska
I’ve used different words for processing rhythms. Even if it’s not needed, it still makes the process more fun for the students and coaches, and a memory tool for knowing the rhythms. It goes right along with the SM philosophy of using existing language as a tool for learning something new.
I think one of the most popular ones is when I fit students’ names to the rhythms – e.g. Josh, Anna, MaryRichards. You can always add a title or middle name if you need another syllable, or shorten a name for fewer syllables.
It’s not as useful for dotted rhythms – but a suggestion there is to use a well-known song. For instance, I’ve used “London Bridge is falling down” – it starts with a dotted quarter followed by an 8th note. I write the rhythm on my white board, and we sing or say the lyrics while following the rhythm. It helps. Although these days some kids don’t know those old nursery rhymes!
I think the key is using something already known and reverse-engineering it to the written rhythm.
Cheri S., Utah
Just this morning I was collecting familiar songs that use dotted quarters! Spoken words never hold out for a full dotted quarter. But songs totally work. Here are a few other songs: America the Beautiful, Deck the Halls, Kumbaya, and our own Auld Lang Syne.
Jacqui G., Canada
A friend who teaches in an elementary school uses animal words: bear, penguin, caterpillar. As many of my students attended the school, I used her terms. But I will often make up a word or phrase on the spot, or – even better – ask the student or group for suggestions!