Rhythm

This page is a work in progress. Check back soon for more!

Click below for printable pdf files or video/audio where noted.

FOR EACH RHYTHM SERIES:

Listen to the audio BEFORE clicking on “what this looks like”.

Echo on neutral syllable, then echo using rhythm language.

Choose one of the patterns and:

1. chant it
2. play it on the piano on a single key (use good form!)
3. explore a scale using the rhythm pattern

BONUS: Using the different rhythmic units, make up your own two- or four-macrobeat pattern and:

1. chant it
2. play it on the piano on a single key (use good form!)
3. explore a scale using the rhythm pattern

DUPLE RHYTHMS

When you hear the tick, move your full body (or upper body if you are seated) to the macrobeat, and tap your hands in your lap to the microbeat. Keep this movement going while you echo the patterns.

• Duple rhythms series one: Basic beats, at 70 bpm
  • Neutral syllables
  • Rhythm language
  • What this looks like in common time 4/4
  • What this looks like in cut time 2/2
• Duple rhythms series two: Subdivisions of the beat (i.e., 16ths in 4/4), at 60bpm
  • Neutral syllables
  • Rhythm language
  • What this looks like in common time 4/4
  • What this looks like in cut time 2/2
• Duple rhythms series three: Off beats (syncopations)
  • For this series, you will hear the patterns twice. Instead of echoing, listen (while moving) to each track. When you’re ready, begin the track from the beginning and chant along with the audio.
  • Neutral syllables
  • Rhythm language
  • What this looks like in 4/4
  • What this looks like in cut time 2/2
• Duple rhythms series four: Duple vs Triple subdivisions
  • Neutral syllables
  • Rhythm language
  • What this looks like in 4/4
  • What this looks like in cut time 2/2

TRIPLE RHYTHMS

When you hear the tick, move your full body (or upper body if you are seated) to the macrobeat, and tap your hands in your lap to the microbeat. Keep this movement going while you echo the patterns.

• Triple rhythms series one: Basic macro/micro beats
  • Neutral syllables
  • Rhythm language
  • What this looks like in 3/4
  • What this looks like in 6/8
• Triple rhythms series two: Subdivisions of the microbeat (i.e., 16ths in 6/8)
  • Neutral syllables
  • Rhythm language
  • What this looks like in 3/4
  • What this looks like in 6/8
• Triple rhythms series three: Off beats (syncopations and elongation)
  • Neutral syllables
  • Rhythm language
  • What this looks like
• Triple rhythms: enrhythmic 6/8 and 3/4
  • Neutral syllables
  • Rhythm language
  • What this looks like in 6/8 and 3/4

POLYRHYTHMS

YouTube educator and musician Saher Galt has made excellent videos on polyrhythms. Rather than reinvent the wheel, check out a couple of my favorites below (links to YouTube, and leave this website):

• Saher Galt Teaches How to Play Any Polyrhythm
• Saher Galt Teaches 3 Against 4

Here are a few more YouTube videos for polyrhythm practice:

• Polyrhythms: 2 against 3 and 3 against 2 — with a circular visual aid
• 3:2 Polyrhythm Metronome — with a drumstick visual aid