Music learning demands rhythm and tonal instruction in two separate, ongoing tracks, each following its own difficulty sequence.
Rhythm
Meters:
Meters are introduced in the order of difficulty and then alternated so that children engage regularly with at least the first four meters.
Duple→Triple→Unusual Paired→Unusual Unpaired→Combined→
[Unusual Paired Intact and Unusual Unpaired Intact are two additional meters, though not essential here. Combined is placed last as children do far better with it after they have experience with the unusual meters.]
Rhythm Patterns: Rhythm patterns are introduced in each meter in relation to difficulty level.
Macro/Micro Beats→Divisions→Elongations→Rests→Ties→Upbeats
Implementation:
· Sequence for both immersion and interactivity are in accordance with rhythm difficulty. New content is always introduced through immersion before interactivity.
Immersion→Interactivity
· Rhythm Dialogue is easier than Macro/Micro Beat Activities, so experience with Rhythm Dialogue in each meter and with each level of pattern difficulty precedes experience with Macro/Micro Beat Activities in the same meter with the same level of rhythm patterns.
Rhythm Dialogue Activities→Macro/Micro Beat Activities
· The various dimensions of meter difficulty, pattern difficulty, immersion before interactivity, and Rhythm Dialogue before Macro/Micro Beat Activities results in children being at different difficulty levels in different meters, patterns, and activities. For example, children might be immersed in four meters with macro and micro beats, with division patterns in just duple and triple meters, while being ready for Rhythm Dialogue and Macro/Micro Beat Activities with division patterns in duple meter, but only Rhythm Dialogue with division patterns in triple meter.
Tonal
Tonalities:
Tonalities are introduced in the suggested order and then alternated so that children engage regularly in all tonalities, especially the first five.
Dorian→Mixolydian→Phrygian→Lydian→Aeolian→Major→Minor
Tonal Segments: Tonal segments are introduced in each tonality, following the suggested order of tonalities. Tonal segments in each tonality are primarily stepwise, revolving around the tonic or dominant pitches, with successive segments including all characteristic tones to reinforce the tonality. Tonal segments are introduced in duple meter before triple meter. Tonal segments include just macro and micro beats, with macro beats falling on tonic and dominant pitches. Melodic example in any tonality:
1-3-5→5-6-5→5-3-1→1-7-1→5-4-3-2-1→
Implementation:
· Sequence for both immersion and interactivity are in accordance with the suggested order of tonalities. New content is always introduced through immersion before interactivity.
Immersion→Interactivity
· Resting Tone Activities are easier than Tonal Dialogue, so experience with Resting Tone Activities in each tonality precedes experience with Tonal Dialogue in the same tonality.
Resting Tone Activities→Tonal Dialogue
· The suggested sequence of tonalities, immersion before interaction, and Resting Tone Activities before Tonal Dialogue result in children being at different difficulty levels in different tonalities, tonal segments, and activities. For example, children might be immersed in all tonalities, engaging in Resting Tone Activities in duple meter in the first five tonalities, Resting Tone Activities in triple meter in the first three tonalities, while begin introduced to Tonal Dialogue in just Dorian tonality.
· Each interactive experience in one tonality strengthens skill in every tonality, so that once Resting Tone is secure in several tonalities, Tonal Dialogue can be introduced without having to first introduce Resting Tone in all tonalities.
Rhythm and Tonal Implementation
· Rhythm development provides the foundation for tonal development, so rhythmic content precedes the use of that content in tonal.
· Rhythm evokes greater ease and willingness to respond in children than tonal. Success with interactive rhythm activities encourages confidence with interactive tonal activities. Suggested sequence for interactivity:
Rhythm Dialogue→Resting Tone Activities→Macro/Micro Beat Activities→Tonal Dialogue
|
