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Asymmetric Meters: Patterning

Goal: To prepare 5/8, 7/8, and 8/8 improvisations.

Out of Tempo

All Levels

“Out of Tempo” exercises are not presented separately in Ear Training III and Ear Training IV improvisations. Should any exercise prove difficult performed in tempo, out of tempo versions of the materials in Ear Training III and Ear Training IV can be modeled on Ear Training I and Ear Training II approaches to out of tempo improvisations.

In Tempo

Teacher sets up a tempo, time signature, tonality, and rhythms.

Phrases can be four to thirty-two measures in length depending on the student’s ability.

Start with one note per measure and add different rhythms as students become more comfortable with the exercise. For more confident students, use non-repeating notes and rhythm patterns.

Students sing one, two, three, or four notes per measure.

Speaking, singing, playing.

Refer to the Meter Smorgasbord for ideas.

Beginning

Singing – five-eight

  1. Teacher sets up as above and prompts, “Sing scale x using repeating solfege in five-eight time. Clap dotted quarter note and the quarter note (3 plus 2) while singing.” For example: Key of A Major: LaLaLaLaLa/TiTiTiTiTi/DoDoDoDoDo, etc. Clap Clap/Clap Clap/Clap Clap; 3 plus 2, 3 plus 2, 3 plus 2.
  2. Students do so.

Intermediate

Singing – seven-eight

  1. Teacher sets up as above and prompts, “Sing scale x using repeating solfege in seven-eight time. Clap dotted quarter note/quarter note (3 plus 2 plus 2) while singing.” For example: Key of Bb Major: TiTiTiTiTiTiTi/DoDoDoDoDoDoDo, etc. 3 plus 2 plus 2, 3 plus 2 plus 2.
  2. Students do so.

Advanced

Singing – eight-eight

  1. Teacher sets up as above and prompts, “Sing scale x using repeating solfege in 8/8 time. Clap dotted quarter note/dotted quarter note/quarter note (3 plus 3 plus 2) while singing.” For example: Key of G Major: SolSolSolSolSolSolSolSol, etc. 3 plus 3 plus 2.
  2. Students do so.