Submitted by Paula, Georgia
Idea posted September 30, 2005
My high school choral teacher taught me a method that is just awesome! Not only do you say the rhythms, but you "sign" them as well. This gives those kinesthetic learners a real treat, and little kids love it!
For instance, take both hands, palms facing each other in front of you to form a "circle" (thumbs at the bottom of the circle and the fingers at the top). Have the kids "pulse" the whole note as they say your phrase. I use the old standby, "Hold that whole note."
For half notes, the students will "paint" with their hand a half note, complete with stem. Take your right hand high above your head and trace the stem down to about your belly. At that point, you "paint" the note head on your belly. As you are painting the circle, you say, "Haaallllf, note." When you get to the word "note," close your fist strongly on the word "note."
You do the same thing for half note dot, only after you close your fist on the word "note" say "dot," and take your closed fist and punch the air in front of you!! KIDS LOVE THIS! I'm sure you can guess why.
For quarter notes, you do a sort of karate chop. Start with your hand parallel to the floor and chest height. Karate chop out, extending your arm all the way, for each quarter note rhythm. Here, I do use "ta" because it is one syllable.
For eighth notes, you take your left hand to create the "chopping block," flat in front of your belly, palm up. With your right hand, you "chop" those eighth notes.
This approach uses the idea of kinesthetics to learn. Kids just love it and beg to do rhythms.