Toward and Effective Pedagogy for Teaching Rhythm: Gordon and Beyond

Rhythm is an important concept but is taught in a variety of ways. This article sets out to teach the methods of rhythm as prescribed by Gordon and to clarify some questions with teaching rhythm. The first general principle the article states on teaching rhythm is to teach meter identification on the basis of audiation, and not the musical notation. Rhythm audiation and mathematical thinking are very different cognitive processes. The second point addresses a rhythm-syllable system over a counting system and explains why to use the musical over the mathematical approach to counting rhythm.

This article adds to my understanding of my topic by addressing how rhythm is taught through the elementary methods. This can be applied to the band side of teaching as well. Most often, band directors use a counting method, which was said not to do, and to teach the notation before sound, again another not to do according to this article. Again, this will provide more evidence for when it comes time to separate and compare the elementary and band methods.

Dalby, Bruce. (2005). Toward and Effective Pedagogy for Teaching Rhythm: Gordon and Beyond. Music Educators Journal, 92(1), 54-60.