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Syncopation: Change



Goal: To alter combinations of syncopations.


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, rhythms.

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.

Refer to the Syncopation Smorgasbord for ideas

Beginning

  1. Teacher sets up as above and prompts, “Choose a syncopated rhythm.”
  2. Students do so.
  3. Teacher prompts, “When I say 'change,' switch to a different syncopated pattern.”
  4. Students do so.

Intermediate

  1. Teacher sets up as above and prompts, “Choose two syncopated rhythms.”
  2. Students do so.
  3. Teacher prompts, “When I say 'change,' switch one of the syncopated rhythms to a different syncopated pattern.”
  4. Students do so.

Advanced

  1. Teacher sets up as above and prompts, “Choose three syncopated rhythms.”
  2. Students do so.
  3. Teacher prompts, “When I say 'change,' switch one of the syncopated rhythms to a non-syncopated pattern.”
  4. Students do so.