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Meter: Landscaping

Goal: To set up study of compound meter versus other meters (this exercise reinforces the experience of beat before the compound division of the beat is experienced).

Out of Tempo

Clapping, speaking.

Beginning

  1. Teacher locates two claps in space, one to the left, the second to the right — not in a tempo.
  2. Students repeat.

Intermediate

  1. Teacher locates three claps in space, one to the left, the second in the middle, and the third to the right — not in a tempo.
  2. Students repeat.

Advanced

  1. Teacher locates four claps in space, one to the left, the second and third in the middle and the fourth to the right — not in a tempo.
  2. Students repeat.

In Tempo

Teacher sets up a tempo, time signature, and tonality, using one note per measure until students are comfortable with the exercise.

Clapping, singing, playing.

Beginning

  1. Teacher locates two claps in space, one to the left, the second to the right — in a tempo.
  2. Students repeat.

Intermediate

  1. Teacher locates three claps in space, one to the left, the second in the middle, and the third to the right — in a tempo.
  2. Students repeat.

Advanced

  1. Teacher locates four claps in space, one to the left, the second and third in the middle and the fourth to the right — in a tempo.
  2. Students repeat.