Music Mind Games is a music theory curriculum created by Suzuki Piano teacher Michiko Yurko and involves a series of colorful materials and progressive games for teaching music theory to children. The entire curriculum is one of the best I have ever seen for effectively teaching complex concepts in natural ways that are developmentally appropriate for children. As I progressed in my violin teaching career the reality of limited time pushed me to narrow my music theory offerings and the one thing I kept teaching consistently from the vast Music Mind Games curriculum was the Blue Jello Cards used for teaching rhythm note reading. I developed a 5 part approach for using these for violinists and also 4 challenges to engage and integrate my more advanced students in multi-level teaching situations. On a fun, personal note I credit the effectiveness of the Music Mind Games curriculum for spawning my career as a composer. After many years of teaching the basics using the Blue Jello Cards, my rhythmic dictation got so strong that when I traveled to different countries I would transcribe different languages into rhythms in my head. In this video learn a progression for using the Blue Jello Cards from the Music Mind Games curriculum in a way specific for benefitting violinists. The progression shared in the video is: 1- Speak cards (optional hand symbols). 2- Sing in ascending scale. 3- Air bow while speaking/singing. 4- Play on an open string. 5- Play as an A major scale. * Add marching to any of these steps. Have multi-level classes? Learn 4 additional ways to integrate advanced level students in a challenging and engaging way: 1- Stay on the same open string pitch as the rest of the group but do each card in a different position (i.e. 1st card in III position, 2nd card in IV position, 3rd card in II position, etc…) 2- Again, stay on the same open string pitch as the rest of the group but play each beat in a different position (II, III, IV, III, II, I, etc…) 3- Play a different scale for each card. 4- Improvise a melody. Learn more at www.MusicMindGames.com. See also: Pipe Cleaners & Music Theory/ Blue Jello Cards - Learn a cheap, hands-on, colorful and easy clean-up activity to support teaching music theory and the Blue Jello Cards to young musicians. The Magic Bag - a Metaphor for the Learning Process - Learn a "magical" way to create the identity of a learner in young students using the Blue Jello Cards. How do you teach rhythm and/or music theory in your studio? Let us know in the comments below before the next newsletter for a chance to win a set of Blue Jello Cards. Download this teaching progression chart to have for your studio here:
21 Comments
KaraLee Anderson
7/16/2017 12:06:13 pm
One fun idea I have used for teaching rhythm is to associate certain rhythms with funny food rhymes. Since their aren't always lyrics set to violin music I find it helpful to have my kids find funny food rhythms. Like applesauce is 2 eight notes and 1 quarter note. We have discovered some fun and gross food combinations. But they are memorable!
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Heather Figi
7/16/2017 02:02:09 pm
So fun! What a great idea, thanks so much for sharing, Heather
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7/16/2017 01:38:32 pm
I always take a new or tricky rhythm back to twinkle, and we create a twinkle variation with that rhythm.
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Heather Figi
7/16/2017 02:03:34 pm
Perfect - you can never go wrong with this and sometimes I forget to do this. Thanks!
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Amy Robinson
7/16/2017 04:15:25 pm
All of my students progress through Wendy stevens' Rhythm Menagerie & Manipulations levels. There are lots of opportunities to play them on the violin as well, or use them as a base for improvising. Incorporating theory is a bit trickier. I have lots of worksheets, etc. that I'll pull out when we do things like discover the open strings on the staff. I have lots of piano games that can transfer easily. I use a theory book called Theory for Everyone! that comes in two levels and coordinates well with lots of my approach.
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Heather
7/16/2017 06:50:32 pm
Wow - what great resources! Thanks for sharing these, they are new to me and it's always appreciated to know what is out there and what is preferred by other teachers. Thanks for posting! Heather
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Marina
7/16/2017 07:18:59 pm
Hi
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Heather
7/16/2017 07:55:56 pm
Hello, thanks so much for posting. This is so inspiring and I love the perspective you have about it being a language - great idea! Thanks so much for these ideas and resources. Best wishes, HF
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Marie
7/17/2017 05:24:48 am
Since I teach orchestra and have all violin family instruments, I write a rhythm on the board. Depending on trickiness, I may take out ties or dotted rhythms at first. I'll have students clap and count (or use 'foods' and colors to help). I may have them use feet as well. I then have them air bow while counting out loud or say the bowings (they find this hillarious for some reason). Then we do it on an open string and then with the notes printed in music. I will sometimes use a rhythm in a scale as part of our warm ups.
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Heather
7/17/2017 11:17:59 am
I love your ideas and we are so grateful that you shared here! Who would of thought that saying the bowings out loud would be so funny for children :) Best wishes, HF
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I love using the "pie" system to teach rhythms. The pie fillings coordinate with whatever note values you are working with. For example:
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Heather
7/17/2017 11:16:41 am
Brilliant, who doesn't love dessert? This taps into positive psychological connections and makes it personal. Fun idea we are grateful you shared! HF
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CHRISTINA PASCHALI
7/17/2017 07:58:59 am
Thank you for these clever ideas!! I love to use greek words for rythm!!
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Heather
7/17/2017 11:15:25 am
Hello - Thanks so much for posting! That is a great idea to use Greek words for rhythms - neat! Best wishes, HF
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Nao Moore
7/17/2017 10:04:53 am
My children and I speak Japanese also so I come up with really silly words in Japanese to go with certain rhythms. For example, instead of plain "blueberry" for triplets, we say it "Oshime nureta..." meaning "wet diaper, ready for change"...etc. lol. Making the words silly like that seem to help stick the rhythmic pattern better in their heads. :-)
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Heather
7/17/2017 11:14:23 am
Hello - Thanks so much for posting and sharing these ideas. There is definitely something to be said for making things silly. Our brains really like this and it sticks stronger in memory. Keep up the great work! HF
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lisa goldman
7/24/2017 12:24:42 pm
thank you for sharing!
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Heather Figi
7/25/2017 08:57:55 am
THANK YOU for your enthusiasm. Best wishes, Heather
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Mandi
7/30/2017 07:16:15 am
Like others have already commented, I love Joanne Martin's I Can Read Music Books. I should check out blue jello though.
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Heather
7/30/2017 08:14:37 am
Hello - Thanks Mandi for the comment. Joanne Martin's books are some of the best - tried and true! Best wishes HF
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AuthorHi! It's me, Heather. I absolutely love working on the Music for Young Violinists project and all the many facets: blogging, website, music, teaching materials, freebies, videos, newsletter and giveaway contests. The best part is connecting with you so feel free to drop me a line. You can learn more about me on the "ABOUT" page. Thanks! Archives
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