Klarinet Archive - Posting 000074.txt from 1999/09

From: klara hall <klahall@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Another Teaching question (rhythm)
Date: Fri, 3 Sep 1999 19:44:39 -0400

Two main thougths about your question
1.
Kodaly type rhythm words seem to be easier for young kids.... taa taa taa
taa, rather than 1 2 3 4 (8ths are ti ti ti ti), held notes taa aaa
aaa aaa. string teacher who works well with grade schools students and
classes uses bow words for rhythm 1/2note is 'slow bow' 4ter is
'long' or 'fast', 8ths are 'short'.

lot of the young players seem to have no concept of own rhythm. product
of musical styles and 'lifestyles'. most activities done with music
played from the outside...
(develope a sense r. in skipping, raking, walking, swinging, dance,
swimming, bouncing balls)

2.
I do not have a great sense of consistant pulse myself, these routines
have helped me (in addition to the metronome) AND worked for students i
have coached. the circles emphasize the flow and connection.
*************************************************************************
**********
the pulse(beat) must be in your body. this works even better than the
traditional 'tap your foot' method.

Stand with feet shoulder width and weight equally balanced. Whole body
is springy and flexible. Clap hands each beat, moving arms in big
circles, motion up and around, continuously cycling. The size of the
circle depends on the tempo. (When seated, sit lightly in the chair with
both feet on the floor, retain the springy torso.) Exaggerate
flexibility while practicing.
Not only does this help with rhythm, it helps the shoulder joints to
stay flexible, do check that the wrists and hands stay flexible also.
*************************************************************************
*********

have the STUDENT clap this way and say (or sing) the rhythm. (you have
been doing this, yes?) VERBALIZE rests too.
---------------------------------------------
in introducing new notes/fingerings:
play half notes.
.......... when half notes smooth and easy
play quarter notes
..............when quarters smooth and easy
play eighth notes...................etc

annhall

ps. this is SO much easier to do than write about...

On Wed, 1 Sep 1999 12:28:25 -0700 "Benjamin Maas"
<benmaas@-----.com> writes:
> Since we've had so many teaching questions lately, I figure I'd ask
> another....
>
> I have a student who just entered 7th grade. He has been studying sax
with
> me for about 10 months by now. He is extremely dedicated and a joy to
> teach. HOWEVER, he has absolutely no sense of pulse, time, beat,
etc...
O If the horn is in his hands (not in his mouth), he can hardly even
> count with the metronome.
>
> He has a great sound, his technique is building slowly (he has only
> played
> for a year), and is a great kid. I just wish I could bring his
> rhythm up to
> the level of everything else in his playing.
>
> --Ben
>
>
A
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