Rhythm Mnemonics

Mnemonics are rhythm syllables with no semantic meaning that are used to teach children rhythms and help them internalize them.  They are associated with specific rhythmic durations, and are similar to speech so they are easy for children to remember.  One frequently used system is word-chant, which uses words that the children already use in everyday speech.  In this case, different fruit names are assigned to different durations.  For instance, pear would be a quarter note, apple would be two eighth notes, boysenberry would be four sixteenth notes, and so on.  These are very effective because it uses the natural rhythm of the English language, which children are already accustomed to.  Two other common systems are the Kodaly and Gordon method.  These both use syllables that aren’t real words, but are good for solidifying rhythms.  The Kodaly method uses the syllable “t” mainly, because of it’s crisp, decisive sound, proving helpful for internalizing clear rhythms.  Similarly, the Gordon method uses a crisp “d” sound for the same purpose.  While these methods don’t use real words that children already know, syllables like “du-ta-de-ta” (Gordon sixteenth notes), are easy to spit out quickly and remember.