Do you have a reluctant “counter”? I’m betting you do… whether you ask your piano students to count out loud as they play or to simply internalize a steady beat… there are always a few children who have difficulty with counting.
But being lax with rhythm is a slippery slope – and although I’m all for connecting with music on an emotional level above all else… a sense of rhythm and beat is typically necessary to have anyone else enjoy your performances.
We’ve discussed how to use a metronome effectively before in a previous post – so today we thought we’d venture into more “steady beat seeking” activities.
Rock Star Alternatives To Counting Out Loud
I have to admit that I hated counting out loud as I played when I was a child (actually, I still do). It was hard! It distracted me from being able to listen to what I was playing, and I found it physically difficult to play and verbalize. My child brain told me it was therefore just better to not count… so I didn’t.
Because of my own past experiences I’m sensitive to my reluctant counters. And so I’ve developed several different (fun) ways to help them find a steady beat and avoid frustration. These all (obviously) happen after your student understands the rhythm of the piece and are designed to help students then hang that framework of rhythm onto a steady beat.
1. Rock Star Bars – Using post-it notes, cover up 3-5 different measures in a one page piece (more if it’s longer). If you use the small post-its they’re usually the perfect size. Draw a star on the back of each one… and these become “Rock Star Bars”. When your students reach these covered measures they should stop playing, and instead count “1+2+3+4+” (or whatever makes sense depending on the time signature) as though they are a drummer in a band counting in. They then continue on playing from the next uncovered measure at the same tempo as their counting. It’s as though they have a band counting them in repeatedly throughout their piece. This is perfect for keeping your jackrabbits and slowpokes at a steady tempo.
2. Tick Tock Sidekick – Once your students are used to counting for those “Rock Star Bars” they can set the metronome and play along, stopping to allow their “tick tock sidekick” to count those covered bars for them. It’s much more fun if you give the metronome a great name (like “Billy Beatbox”… Those of you using the Beatbox Manifesto book from PianoBookClub.com will have some great names to pick from!) Then you can shout “Take it away Billy!” for those measures where the metronome takes over.
3. Like a Cockatoo – Some kids who don’t like to verbally count can still move effectively to internalize the beat. For these kids I encourage a slight (slight slight slight!) head bob that they can feel, and I can see, as they play. But before we do any of this… they have to watch the video below. They get the idea immediately and this is often an “aha!” moment fix (Thanks Snowball the Cockatoo!)
More Than One Way…
If you’re finding that something just isn’t clicking for a particular student then we encourage you to get outside the box and find different ways of explaining the same concept. For some this change is exactly what is needed for a breakthrough moment. Below are some great “out-of-the-box” teaching articles you may also want to read:
Chunking Scales, Whispering Triads and Dragon Arpeggios; 3 Technical Tricks
The Amazing Fingercise Cup, A DIY Tool For Fixing Your Piano Student’s Collapsing Finger Joints
By The End Of This Post You’ll Be Teaching Improv To Piano Students As Young As Five
This is awesome! And the video will be great to show my kids! Great post– gives me a new idea to try for lessons today. Thanks!
Glad it will help Benita! It’s certainly a memorable video 😉
Yay, some fun ideas for counting! The video just made my day. I’ll be smiling all day just remembering Snowball keepin’ the beat:) I’m sure the students will get a kick out of it. Thanks.
🙂 I’ve watched Snowball enough times to not be normal LOL… I think he’s fabulous.
Rhythm is going to be a huge issue for non-multi-tasking students with the advent of the new RCM syllabus. Students will have to tap the basic beat with their foot while clapping the rhythm. I know this is going to be a major challenge for some students. I can see that we will be spending a lot of time next year doing rhythmic activities!!
Thank you’ I have been waiting for this Blog!!
Little tip:
With students with very little rhythm, try tapping on their shoulders very lightly as they are clapping. It really helps internalize the beat.
Love the bird, love the Rockin stars
I am “one of those” who makes a big deal about counting out loud. Some of my strategies include:
1) Modeling – I do the out-loud counting so student can hear where to hold a note but still concentrate on learning the melody.
2) Clapping – I have students clap the rhythm before playing a new piece. I keep a variety of rhythm instruments by the piano to make this more appealing.
3) Rhythm Detective – Go on a hunt and find the tricky rhythms! My instructions will be…”Write a 2 behind every half note”, “choose a color and circle every quarter rest”, etc.
4) Reading – When we play the song, I direct the student to say note names out loud while playing and I will say the rhythm counts. Then we play again and he will say both note names & rhythm counts out loud. Will sound something like this…”C D E2 C B A2 C D E D A B C2″ Make this more fun by deciding together if you should whisper the rhythm count or use an animal voice or maybe that Rock Star Voice on the whole notes!
5) Take turns – After student plays song and hears the counting, it’s my turn to play the song while they do the counting.
6) Parent involvement! Once parents have observed this step by step approach, they can continue this routine at home. This is why I insist on having parents stay for lessons with young beginners.
You guys always have the best ideas for the problem areas! As I was reading about the “rock stars,” I remembered I have one of those plastic microphones that makes your voice echo when you speak into it. I think I’ll break that out and let them count into it when they get to their rock star breaks! 😉
Tracey, what a great twist. Plus, I bet a few students may have those things at home. New way to use an old toy. Parents will have to love it, too! Maybe the teacher can hold it while student plays the keys and then “lean in” to have the student and teacher “rock it out” together. I’m gonna have to get me one, now. Big Smile!!!!