Rhythm and tonal sequencing with syllables follows sequencing without syllables, detailed in Rhythm and Tonal Sequencing. Additional recommendations include introducing just one meter or one tonality at a time with syllables, and engaging children in rhythm syllables for a couple of weeks before introducing tonal syllables. Plan Rhythm Activities as you did without syllables, providing for Immersion in meters with rhythm syllables to Interactivity through Rhythm Dialogue and Macro/Micro Beat Activities, all with syllables, freely moving back and forth from syllables to a neutral syllable as needed. Plan Tonal Activities, too, as you did without syllables, providing for Immersion in tonalities with tonal syllables to Interactivity through Resting Tone Activities and Tonal Dialogue, moving back and forth from tonal syllables to a neutral syllable as needed.

Children who are comfortable engaging with rhythm and tonal syllables in the various meters and tonalities can move into Discrimination Activities, starting with the discrimination of one meter from another. Some success in discriminating meters will prepare children to discriminate between tonalities. Some success in discriminating meters and in discriminating tonalities will prepare children to discriminate between macro and micro beats within each meter, which prepares children to discriminate between resting tone and working tone within each tonality. Some success with these will lead children to generalize beat function across meters and melodic function across tonalities. At that point, children are ready to be introduced to music reading.