Lesson Two

Reading Music: Reading Rhythms Crotchets, Quavers, and Semi Quavers

Learning to read rhythms

This is the quick Dr. Ruth method to learn to read rhythms. Watch the video and see how easy it is.

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Pictures to reading

When we clap one sound on one beat it is called a crotchet and we say tah. When we clap two sounds on a beat, like bun-ny we call them quavers and we say ti-ti. The rhythm now looks like:

1.Now try writing the rhythmic notation of the second rhythm on slide two.

2. Clap the rhythm and say it at the same time. It should look like this.

Writing a new rhythm

Do you see a new rhythmic figure in the example above? Thats right! On beat 3 alligator has four sounds. These are called semi-quavers and when we clap them we say ti-ka-ti-ca. The 4beat rhythm above would look like this

1. Write the correct notation for the other rhythms on slide 2. 2. Now clap the rhythms and say them at the same time.

Practicing the concept of rhythmic reading

1. Teach the concepts that you have just done to your own class. 2. Make manipulatives for the children (fish, bunnies, and alligators). This process should take a couple of days. 3. Create new rhythms with the pictures and then write them using musical notation. 4. Divide your class into small groups and allow them to create four beat rhythms. Let each group perform for the class. 5. Allow the groups to exchange rhythms and see if they can perform them. 6. Put four groups together to create a 16 beat composition. Perform it using body percussion (clapping, stamping, patting, or snapping).

Documenting your learning

1. Describe the process that you used with your class. 2. Include one of the 16 beat compositions that your class has written. 3. Include a short video clip of your class performing their compositions. 4. What were some of the successes and challenges that you and your class encountered?