Skip to main content

Meter: Patterning



Goal: To hear patterns of rhythms in compound meters.


Out of Tempo

The counting patterns are based on the rhythm combinations in compound meter.

Counts are adjusted according to the rhythm pattern being used.

Beginning

  1. Teacher claps three beats and speaks, “1, 2, 3.”
  2. Students repeat.

Intermediate

  1. Teacher claps three beats and speaks, “1 –– 3,” the "1" being worth two counts.
  2. Students repeat.

Advanced

  1. Teacher claps three beats and speaks, “1 – 2—” the "2" being worth two counts.
  2. Students repeat.

In Tempo

Teacher chooses six-eight, nine-eight, or twelve-eight and sets up a slow tempo. Teacher chooses from the rhythm patterns in compound meter.

Can be improvised with speaking, singing, numbers/letters/solfege, clapping and playing an instrument.

Beginning

  1. Teacher sets up a six-eight time signature in a slow tempo.
  2. Teacher performs a compound meter rhythm pattern.
  3. Students repeat.

Intermediate

  1. Teacher sets up a nine-eight time signature in a slow tempo.
  2. Teacher performs a compound meter rhythm pattern.
  3. Students repeat.

Advanced

  1. Teacher sets up a twelve-eight time signature in a slow tempo.
  2. Teacher performs a compound meter rhythm pattern.
  3. Students repeat.