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Date Posted: 14:41:38 01/30/05 Sun
Author: Jaynee Hight
Subject: keeping a steady tempo

I've been working with 5th grade beginning bands. At one elementary school imperticular the students have a problem with rushing. My cooperating teacher works a lot with foot tapping but he's also at a loss a solution. Does anyone have any suggestions?

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Replies:

[> Re: keeping a steady tempo -- Cynthia Holcomb, 19:35:32 01/30/05 Sun [1]

I remember my band director having a large, loud metronome at the front of the room for rehearsals. If the pulse could not be heard by all, the metronome's pendulum could still be seen for reinforcement.


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[> [> Re: keeping a steady tempo -- jessie, 07:17:13 02/01/05 Tue [1]

My band director also used a metronome in high school. I also remember my director stressing to us to subdivide each count. Maybe the students need to remember to count 1 & 2 &.


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[> [> [> Re: keeping a steady tempo -- Jackie Batteiger, 18:46:49 02/07/05 Mon [1]

Feeling the beat in very important. I definately advocate for movement. I would get them marching around to a beat with a metronome or I would keep it on a hand drum or something. (But they also need to subdivide with movement.) While keeping that beat I say "hip" and then they must move to the subdivision of the beat=eigths.(I still only tap the beat.) Then say "hup" to return to the beat=quarter. "hup" again will double again=half notes. You could "hip, hip" for 16ths. I hope that makes sense. Another thing I do is to have them walk the beat, or tap the beat, and sing the first word and last word of a song only. Everything else is in their head. With a audible beat at first but then internalized. This way they have to internalize the music. If there are no words, have them sing letter names or solfa. With the short beginner songs, this might work.


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[> Re: keeping a steady tempo -- Rosemary, 17:55:20 02/01/05 Tue [1]

Try having them sing their parts and keep the rhythm by patting. Maybe it will help them internalize the pulse.


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[> Re: keeping a steady tempo -- Dr. O., 07:13:01 02/02/05 Wed [1]

This actually can develop into a more serious problem. I have become convinced that a root cause for rhythmic difficulties (counting, reading rhythms, etc.) is the lack of ability to internalize the beat: to "feel" the beat. I think Rosemary has the right idea in her comment here.

Metronomes are a good idea (though we generally hate to play with one!). Foot tapping is, of course, a tried-and-true remedy. I would suggest also involving the students in physical movement: have them march around keeping a steady beat (the fundamental skill involved in counting). Have some students clap or play rhythm sticks while others play their instruments. Allow one student to conduct (it is easy to learn a 2 or 4 beat pattern) while the others play, then take turns. It's even better if the conductor is watching or listening to a metronome while conducting. It amazes me how many advanced players (yes, even college students!) don't actually count: they sort of "intuit" the pulse, but aren't doing anything to internalize the beat. I commend you for struggling with this question: it's a genuine fundamental skill in music, and especially in instrumental music.


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[> [> Re: keeping a steady tempo -- Gary, 09:22:34 02/03/05 Thu [1]

I can vouch for the "marching around the room" method: my high school choir used that several times (at least, once we got a room large enough for it) to solve rhythmic problems on several pieces, and it always helped, without fail.


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[> Re: keeping a steady tempo -- Chad, 15:29:12 04/15/05 Fri [1]

Personally, if I ever have any problems with tempo, I use a metronome. If such a tool is out of the child's grasp, try counting aloud with the student. Make the Student count with you, and eventually, let him count by himself.


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[> Re: keeping a steady tempo -- Emma, 10:18:25 04/16/05 Sat [1]

I tried to answer this before but posted wrong so i am ging to comment again. WE had this problem in our High School band and what we did wa have the section tha was having trouble clap thei rythm when the band was playing so they could see where it fit and that seed to help.


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