It’s no secret that kids love games! Kids are drawn to the reward systems games provide because positive reinforcement makes them feel good. Games also give kids a chance to team up and collaborate to solve difficult puzzles. Finally, games give kids a chance to test their skills against their classmates.
Moreover, games are a great way to help private guitar instructors improve student engagement, increase student enrollment, and create a ‘buzz’ around their guitar lessons, so I put together a list of three rhythm games for beginning guitar students and downloadable rhythm cards for guitar and music teachers.
RHYTHM REPEAT
This game couldn’t be easier. Just clap a rhythm and have your students clap it back. In my experience, the school systems use the Kodály Method (ta for quarter note, or ti-ti for eighth note), so it’s usually a good idea to build upon your students’ current knowledge base. If you’re unfamiliar with this system, click here for a complete overview of the Kodály Method.
PICK A CARD, ANY RHYTHM CARD
The kids love this game because the Rock Dojo Rhythm Cards always include a ‘Wild Card.” If a student chooses the wild card, he/she gets an automatic piece of candy. To play this game, have the kids sit in a circle. Each student has the opportunity to choose a rhythm card. Once he/she chooses the card, the student demonstrates the featured rhythm on the card, and the rest of the class claps it back.
My students go crazy for this game!
WHICH RHYTHM CARD DID I PLAY ON GUITAR?
This is the big finish. Place all the previously chosen rhythm cards on the ground, and play one of them back on the guitar using power chords, a scale, or a simple riff. Whoever raises his/her first gets the first choice. The student who picks the correct card gets four expected points.
At the end of the game, the student with the most points gets an extra piece of candy and a high-five!
The Rock Dojo will begin certifying teachers in our innovative teaching system soon! If you’re interested in bringing the Rock Dojo to your teaching studio, call us at (503) 484-6417. If you want to support the Rock Dojo, consider purchasing a Rock Dojo T-Shirt.
