4-Beat Rhythms Using Crotchets, Quavers and

Semiquavers (Part 1) Teaching Ideas

1. Establish a pulse of 4 beats. You might want to use claves or something similar to keep the pulse.

2. Ask students to say the words blue, blue, blue, blue in time with the pulse. Emphasise that the words are not important;
they just help us read and play the rhythms. Explain that each beat lasts one beat.

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blue blue blue blue

3. N
ext introduce the quaver rhythm – je-llo, je-llo, je-llo, je-llo. Each word is one beat which has been split into two even
1
syllables. The pulse should be the same as the ‘blue’ rhythm. Each note lasts 2 beat.

‘Jello’ works better than the word ‘jelly’ as students are less likely to rush the word and changing the rhythm.

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je-llo je-llo je-llo je-llo

4. Now try asking your students to read the rhythm cards with crotchet and quaver rhythms. Start by getting them to read the
words in time with the pulse, then clapping the rhythm.

5. Introduce the huckleberry rhythm next. Again, explain that the words are on each beat of the pulse and have been split into
four equal syllables.

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hu-ckle-be-rry hu-ckle-be-rry hu-ckle-be-rry hu-ckle-be-rry

The rhythms in part 1 are only crotchets with quavers or crochets with semiquavers. For a mix of crotchets, quavers and semi
quavers see part 2. You may wish to laminate these cards for repeated use, or to have students write the rhythm words on them
with dry erase markers. These cards can be used for warm-up exercises and rhythm development for individual students, small
groups, or whole-class teaching.

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