With my classical training and Master's in Education I've found a way to make piano lessons fun, easy to understand, and effective for the beginner to intermediate student by thinking outside the music box! Join me in the quest to make learning piano as magical as music is to the listener.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Developing rhythm sense: Note card variations
A few weeks back in my January 8th entry, I talked about laying note cards on the floor and having my students walk through whatever rhythm pattern I made up to a metronome beat. I normally start out with a slow speed then gradually increase the tempo. This week I'm giving my students a more challenging rhythm sequence. I've been laying two sets of cards down; one pattern for their feet to walk and another for their hands to clap at the same time. It's proving to be quite challenging for the kiddos! Even my rhythm "experts" find this exercise challenging. After a few goes at it they do eventually get used to doing two separate actions at the same time. You could lay down quarter notes and half notes for your beginner students and eighth notes and dotted quarter note sequences for your more advanced students.
To make it even more challenging you could add a dynamic sign to each side; have their feet stomp "forte" while their hands clap "piano". You could accent one or two of the notes as well! Remember to have your students walk in the middle of the two sets of cards but not on the cards since they can prove to be quite slippery. Until next time, Daphne Vasquez (piano blogger) signing off.......
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