Danny Miller

MUSE 258
Voice Techniques

Sound Connections Chapter 7: Developing Rhythm Literacy

Dr. Don P. Ester
2010

This chapter is a continuation of chapter 6 in that it discusses

different strategies to developing music literacy on the rhythmic side.

It talks about the importance of rhythm flash cards and how to use

them at a steady pace. These flash cards teach students the

associations between sound and symbol and they are an easy way to

control what the students are looking at. It also talks about the

importance of introducing simple and compound meter together. When

I was learning how to read music I would have never thought it

possible to learn compound meter at the same time as simple meter.

Now that I have learned more about it, I think it makes so much sense

to introduce them together and it is the most pedagogically sound way

of teaching it to students.

This chapter yet again talks about the importance of sequencing

and the steps a teacher must take in order to ensure the best way of

learning. Rhythm is always something I excelled at in my music classes

but I know that it is something that many people struggle with.

Because of this, I will make sure to move at a pace that is comfortable

for my students and not a pace that I think is the best for someone like

me. It will be challenging but I know that I am well equipped enough

with the strategies I have learned to teach my students in an

appropriate manner for whatever level they may be at.