Use Rhythmic Word Cues to Teach Rhythm

This is the fourth entry point in our series—How to Teach Rhythm Using Multiple Entry Points, a Seven-Part Series. To read an introduction to multiple entry points and why music teachers should use them, please see our article “How to Teach Rhythm Using Multiple Entry Points”.

Key points:

In elementary music classrooms where western standard music notation is taught, it is not uncommon to see rhythm flashcards or charts displaying common rhythms along with associated rhythmic word cues. For instance you might see two eighth notes accompanied by the word “pizza”. The word “pizza” contains two distinct syllables and two distinct beats readily heard by the ear. The word “pizza” literally produces the rhythm of two eighth notes. Furthermore, when we say “pizza-pizza-pizza-pizza” we can hear a string of eighth notes being sounded in this phrase. There is nothing elementary about this method, and there are many reasons it has become a tried-and-true approach to teaching rhythm. In this blog post we will explore many of the reasons why rhythmic word cues are an effective entry point for teaching rhythm. 

How to Leverage the Rhythmic Power of Language

Rhythmic word cues not only reinforce how to play rhythms but can initially help students to decode the sound of notated rhythms. Rhythmic word cues leverage the natural rhythms of everyday words to help teach and interpret rhythmic patterns. To start, demonstrate saying the word cue and point to the notated rhythm. Place your finger under each beat of the rhythm while you say/chant the syllables of the word cue. Now, say the word cue then clap the rhythm in time. Next, say and clap the rhythm at the same time. Following the demonstration have your students chant the word cue in time as you point to it. Then have them clap and say the word cue. Finally, have your students just clap the rhythm. This process of “say” then “say and clap” and then just “clap” is an excellent way to help students internalize and interpret rhythms. 

How to Choose Rhythmic Word Cues

When first introducing Rhythmic Word Cues, use the same words (don’t vary word choices)  connected to specific rhythms for the first while. Choose words that are engaging yet are very familiar and easy for students to say. Being consistent in your use of a set series of rhythmic word cues when beginning is very helpful for developing an automaticity in rhythm sound recognition as well as developing an internal pulse. Use words such as “pizza” for eighth notes and “pie” for quarter notes and “bicycle” for two sixteenth notes and an eighth note combination. These are all words students know and have a distinct and clear rhythm when pronounced out loud. After some initial lessons and repetition using a set series of rhythmic word cues, it is certainly okay to change it up and use different words. You can use food specific words in one lesson and animal specific words in another. There are many reasons why you might want to change up the words you choose such as matching a specific theme or integrating with the vocabulary of another subject, or building on your students’ interest. Just make sure the words are easy to say and possess a clear rhythm that matches the intended rhythm. 

Student Voice and Rhythmic Word Cues

Having students choose their own rhythmic word cue or series of word cues is a perfect way to increase engagement and include student voice. Students can come up with very creative and entertaining word combinations. Have students share and demonstrate their own rhythmic word cues with the other students. Consider using their sets for an entire lesson or co-creating a new list together. Opening up the discovery of choosing word cues will not only improve your students rhythmic skills, but it will also help develop their reading and literacy skills. Rhythm and language work hand in hand. 

Some tips and ideas for using Rhythmic Word Cues in the classroom

• Show rhythms with and without the word cues
• Vary the tempo of your rhythmic exercises
• Use rhythmic word cues to learn rhythms you come across when learning a new song
• Use word cues to warm up at the beginning of every class
• Create card games like “Matching” or “Who has? I have!” or “word cue bingo”
• Vary clapping with using percussion instruments such as wood blocks and mallets or hand drums

Did you know that our bucket drumming programs, "Bucket Music: Learning to the beat of a different drum", and "Dragonfly Drumming: Bucket Music for Primary Students" both use rhythmic word cues?  Dragonfly Drumming uses unique themed words related to the dragonflies and their actions.