How to Teach Piano Students Rhythm + Freebie
There are so many ways to teach piano students with rhythm
Some of those ways can be a lot of fun. Back when I was a student, there was no fun in this learning process. My teachers insisted on my counting out loud as I would play. I would struggle sitting at the piano saying, “one and two and…” but I had coordination issues that made this feel impossible. I could play the notes with their values or count out loud, but I couldn’t count out loud and play at the same time. Chastisement for getting it wrong or constant correction as I played measure by measure usually meant frustration rather than progression. I recall my teacher’s voice rising in intensity when I couldn’t count the rhythm aloud and play it right. He was a good teacher overall, but I just couldn’t speak and play together and he lacked a better way to teach me this important skill.
Rhythm Games
In my classroom, rhythm is worked on by itself, separately from the songs we’re trying to play. We clap our hands, we slap our knees, or stomp on our feet for body percussion and rhythm. As other learning tools, we use balls, drums, spoons and shakers. But what I have found to be my students’ most favorite rhythm learning tool is the annual appearance of Jolly Rancher candies. These have become part of a helpful learning process that lasts far beyond the 2 week module.
If you’re a sugar-wary person–no worries–it’s not like kids are eating a ton of candy. The sheer joy of playing with the candy inspires excitement and contributes to their success in learning how to count out rhythm. I’ve found that with a $10.00 bag of candy, I can achieve a lot of progress in rhythm development.
How to Learn Rhythm Step 1: Instruction
I start by separating the flavors into their own containers. Grape, Green Apple, Watermelon and Blue Raspberry are the flavors I use. (Cherry would be helpful too, except it’s also red, and I need the Watermelon which is red too.)
I introduce the flavors to my students without color. Green apple becomes just Apple. Blue Raspberry is just Raspberry. Then we clap and speak the syllables
in each flavor. Ap-ple, Grape, Wat-er-mel-on, Rasp-ber-ry.
I show the students four examples: four 16th notes, a triplet, barred 8th notes and a quarter note, then have them try to match the flavor with the notes. It only takes one correct answer and everyone figures it out in a hurry.
How to Learn Rhythm Step 2: Practice
Next, I give them all a playing board. This is a strip with different note patterns with a place to set a Jolly Rancher. They have to clap their rhythm then match the corresponding candy flavor to the rhythm.
After they complete their Jolly Rancher-Rhythm matching, I ask them to read out their board by flavors for everyone else to hear. It’s amazing to hear how easily they speak their rhythm with a correct vocal cadence.
Once each child has completed their board, I have them trade boards with each other. We replace all the used candies into their proper container and do it again.
As the students start to get the hang of this activity, I pull out my stop watch. Students are given 30-60 seconds to complete their new board, depending on their skill level.
How to Learn Rhythm Step 3: Challenge
We stop all activity when the timer is done and count out loud with the student who finished first, to see if they got it correct. The class calls out “rasp-ber-ry, ap-ple, grape, etc” and we continue on to each of the students’ boards to help them finish their round of the game.
Once our games are over, I let everyone choose 2 flavors they want most for them to take as a treat. (I also bring out the cherry for this part because it’s a popular choice.) As a follow up, as students are leaving class, I ask them to clap the rhythm of a random flavor I hold up. If they get it correct (and they all do!) I give them that candy too.
It makes jumping in the car with other siblings more fun with candy to share. It also gives parents a chance to ask about class. None of my students go home and shrug their shoulders when asked what they did at piano class that day.
How to Learn Rhythm Step 4: Recall
A bonus value of this rhythm exercise is the following week in class. I try to have candies the next week and ask them to clap the rhythm for me. If they get it correct, I give them the candy. (One per student.) Then, if we run into a difficult measure I can ask them to play a triplet as “rasp-ber-ry” and it works well!
Freebie
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