Developing rhythm sense: Metronome "exercises" Part I

It is very important that our piano students develop an inner sense of rhythm.  Some children have an innate sense of rhythm while others struggle to find it.  I have found a way to develop their sense of rhythm by using the metronome in a fun, purposeful, stress free manner.  Developing a sense of rhythm for children who don't naturally have it takes time.  If you continue to incorporate metronome "exercises" into every lesson your student will develop a sense of and understanding of rhythm patterns.   I do not require my students to use the metronome while playing their songs if they are just starting with piano. It becomes distracting and frustrating for them. I take the sting out of using the metronome by making it fun to use.

Activity: If you don't already have a ball, purchase a soft midsize ball (about 8-12 inches in diameter) that you can throw or bounce.  During lesson, throw the ball back and forth between you and the student catching the ball on the beat of  a selected metronome speed (start with slow speeds).  This simple activity will completely change the whole feel of your piano lesson!  Your students will want to come back to your lessons simply to do this one activity.  The beauty of it is that your students don't need to have any prior musical experience to enjoy this activity.  It calms their apprehensions about learning piano because you are doing something they are familiar with and feel successful at.  .This activity only takes about 2 minutes of your lesson but "Oh" the impact it will have on your students. They don't expect it and think it pretty cool that they are throwing balls during their piano lesson.

Variations: Purchase a few balls differing in shape, size, and textures.  They can squeeze, bounce, toss the ball from hand to hand, shoot hoops, etc.... to the metronome beat.  Once your kiddos get the hang of this activity call out different note values: half, dotted half, whole, tied quarter notes, eighth notes, etc. This activity grows with your students.

Patience is the key to teaching anything. Some of my students were able to catch the ball on the beat and throw it with 100% accuracy from the "get go" while others threw the ball before the beat or a few seconds after the beat.......THAT'S OK.   Since I consistenlty incoporporate metronome activities into each piano lesson my rhythmically challenged students eventually "got it".  It's a process and the key is to make the process fun and rewarding for my students.

This is one of many activities that I will be sharing with you that I do to help my students develop a strong sense of rhythm.  Encourage your kiddos to do their "exercises" at home between lessons as well.  Till next time........