How proficient are your students in reading rhythms and grasping time signatures? Could your students sight-read the exercise below?

In an era where attention spans are shrinking, and the pursuit for entertainment and “fun” shapes academic choices, the challenge of engaging students in rehearsals looms large. Yet, as the adage goes, “The fun lies in the success!” So why not infuse our rehearsals with varied activities that extend beyond the routine preparation for concerts or assessments? By embracing a diverse range of learning experiences, we can cultivate a deeper sense of enjoyment and accomplishment in our students, fostering a lasting love for music education.

The distinction lies in rhythm—a fundamental aspect applicable to all instruments and ensembles.

Based on my observations, more than 90% of melodic sight-reading errors stem from rhythmic challenges. Therefore, it’s evident that enhancing our students’ rhythmic reading skills and comprehension of time signatures is paramount. Let’s prioritize this foundational skill to empower our students for musical success.

It’s a fact: deciphering music notation ranks high among the factors leading students to abandon music programs. However, dedicating just 5-10 minutes of rehearsal time can significantly enhance your ensemble’s sight-reading prowess. By doing so, you not only accelerate their capacity to tackle diverse musical repertoire but also streamline the learning process overall.

Keep It Relevant

Consider extracting challenging rhythms from one of your performance pieces and transforming them into rhythmic exercises on the board. When students see these rhythms directly linked to their music, they’ll instantly grasp the relevance of rhythmic sight-reading. This connection not only enhances their ability to read melodies but also underscores the importance of mastering rhythm for overall sight-reading success.

Case Study and Example #1:

My composition, Trois Petites Fugues, crafted for string orchestra, presents inherent challenges in rhythm and time signatures. With a consistent pulse of 68 BPM throughout, devoid of ritardandos, accelerandos, or fermatas, it ventures into three distinct melodic motifs across three different time signatures. When introducing this piece to my students, I prioritize discussions on simple and compound time signatures. I generate rhythmic exercises on the board, drawing directly from the motifs within the composition. Once students demonstrate proficiency in these exercises, I distribute the music, referring back to the measures, time signatures, and rhythms we analyzed.

Example 1.A shows the three motifs of Trois Petites Fugues.

Example 1.A

RPM: “Rhythm-Pitch-Musicianship”

Drawing from my passion for cars and trucks, I frequently incorporate automotive analogies into my teaching. Share your interests beyond music with your students. This fosters a stronger connection between them, the material, and yourself. As opposed to “Revolutions Per Minute,” in the music classroom, RPM takes on a different meaning: “Rhythm-Pitch-Musicianship.” When introducing a new piece to any ensemble—be it band, orchestra, chorus, or jazz band—I prioritize the RPM approach. Beginning with Rhythm, we establish a solid foundation before diving into Pitch, exploring tonalities, scales, melodies, and harmonies. Finally, we devote significant time to Musicianship, refining dynamics, phrasing, and other nuances that bring the music to life.

Case Study and Example #2:

In my composition, Furioso, written for string orchestra, I want my students to explore the meaning behind the title and how they can channel the appropriate energy in their performance that will effectively convey the composer’s intentions. That being said, I would adhere to the same RPM approach. Tackle targeted rhythms extracted from the music and be sure students understand them. As I distribute the music, we transition seamlessly into exploring the harmonic minor scale, which defines the tonality of the piece. I swiftly shift our focus to musicianship, investigating the intricate musical nuances that enrich both performer and listener experiences.

Example 2.A shows the introduction of Furioso, and demonstrates the importance that articulation will play in the rhythmic accuracy of the performance. The combination of both legato and staccato phrases occurring simultaneously, as well as pizzicato, could be practiced as rhythmic exercises prior to handing out the piece to your students.

Example 2.A

Example 2.B shows the section of Furioso that is intended to be felt in cut time (m. 44). This is a great opportunity to discuss conducting and how it relates to rhythm and time signatures, even when they are merely implied.

Example 2.B

Rhythm is in the “Key of Consistency”!

In addition to the aforementioned examples of incorporating rhythms and time signature exercises directly from your music repertoire, I encourage directors to dedicate 5-10 minutes of every rehearsal specifically to rhythmic sight-reading practice. Recognizing that a significant portion of errors in melodic sight-reading stem from rhythmic challenges, and acknowledging that difficulties in reading music contribute to student attrition in music programs, it becomes imperative to prioritize this area deliberately.

Stylistic Accuracy

In most cases, aligning articulations with rhythm proves beneficial when introducing new music to students. Whether pertaining to period, genre, or other stylistic considerations, ensuring accuracy is essential for a fitting rendition of any piece. Within my “RPM” approach, I integrate articulations into relevant rhythmic exercises, laying the groundwork for a stylistically authentic performance. Surprisingly, incorporating articulations from the outset often aids students in grasping and executing rhythms more effectively. For instance, in simple time signatures with eighth note syncopation, adding appropriate accents to syncopated rhythms—especially if indicated by the composer or arranger—helps emphasize the offbeats accurately.

Exercise 12.D is an exercise from my book, Rhythmic Sight-Reading: The Tik-A Tee Method, focusing on the importance of inherent accents in eighth note syncopation.

Fine

In conclusion, the hallmark of accomplished musicians and ensembles lies in their mastery of rhythm. The approach I employ with my students is based on principles outlined in my book, Rhythmic Sight-Reading: The Tik-A Tee Method. Grounded in research and bolstered by over three decades of experience directing instrumental and vocal ensembles, as well as teaching advanced music theory courses, this methodology has proven effective. By enhancing rhythmic sight-reading skills, we witness a remarkable increase in confidence and accuracy in melodic sight-reading. Regardless of the specific method you utilize, let us prioritize—and make time in our rehearsals for—our students’ proficiency in reading rhythms and understanding time signatures. Ready, set, rhythm!

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