Melody Rhythm Reading

Having my students learn to read rhythms by playing along with famous melodies and solos (improvised melodies) is one of the most powerful lessons I have put together for my students.  Not only do the lessons (transcriptions) challenge them to use the fundamentals of counting/playing note values that I have taught them, but they also have the following added befefits:

• they are learning different phrasing nuances that each artist employs to make the rhythms feel good.
• reading is now fun – my students now look forward to each new reading exercise!
• it is an opportunity to expose my students to some great artists and genres of music.
• They have play alongs that I have spliced from the original recordings to guide their practice.