by Tamsyn

September 10, 2016

Games for Rhythm Cards

Rhythm cards are a great way to warm up any music session.  Students sight-read rhythms created by mixing and matching the cards and either clapping the rhythms, saying them with rhythm solfege ("Ta, Ta, Sh, Ta"), or playing them on a simple percussion instrument.  Here are a few games you can play to make the process even more fun;

"Which one doesn't belong?"  Place four rhythm cards down in a row and play all four measures, changing one beat.  Have the student identify the card where the beat changed.

"What's your rhythm?"  Play a classroom circle game where each student gets their own measure card and must recognize when another player says their rhythm and then correctly say another student's rhythm or be "out".

"Which one?"  Place a few cards out and play one of them.  Ask a student to identify which one you played.  Very young students can choose between two cards, more advanced with five or six.

"Fill in the blanks."​  Show the rhythm of the line of a song, except for one measure.  Show a few measure cards, including one that has the rhythm of that measure.  Sing the line and let students figure out which card will complete the rhythm.

"Be the Composer."  Let students arrange cards in any order and then play the rhythm together.  They can also make two rows and create a duet.

Enter to win a set of Rhythm Cards and Beginning Rhythm

Our giveaway this week is a homemade set of fifty 4/4 measure cards printed on cardstock and laminated for heavy use.  Also a digital copy of our best-selling product, "Beginning Rhythm".  This digital product includes printables in 4/4 time, 3/4 time, and 6/8 time, Rhythm Bingo compatible with the 4/4 cards, nursery rhyme rhythm worksheets, and our classic beginning rhythm course.  The giveaway ends Monday night, September 19th.  Save 25% of Beginning Rhythm with coupon code "rhythm" through the 20th.

About the author 

Tamsyn

My name is Tamsyn and I love music. I got my bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from USU. I spent many years teaching private piano lessons until I had children of my own. I have attended several children workshops on how to teach children music. I really like the Kodaly method, but have adapted a lot of different techniques for my own children.

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  1. Rhythm cards are a fun way to teach and challenge my kindergarten children. Making them a part of each class and using different percussion instruments keeps their interest and little do they know how much they improve. We also add animal sounds as we tap the beat. A cow. …..moo moo moomoo moo. Bee bee bumble bee…..Happy Music Time with Ms. Sue.
    Thanks to your newsletter and all the resources you provide.

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