Featuring over 300 rhythmic studies in simple musical forms, with short preliminary exercises–this text introduces students to the basic processes and complexities of musical rhythm and helps them develop the ability to perform all kinds of rhythmic patterns accurately at sight. Suitable not only for reading, but for dictation, improvisation, and composition; the collection contains one- and two-part rhythmic studies–mostly 12 to 16 measures long–that are intended to be sung, spoken, and tapped or clapped.

• Three-part study added to each chapter—Designed to be performed with voice and two hands, or with voice and hand.

  • Familiarizes students with performing more than one rhythm at a time.

• Septuplets studies added.

• Revised and improved studies throughout.

  • Provides students with improved studies with a dynamic shape.

• NEW - Three-part study added to each chapter—Designed to be performed with voice and two hands, or with voice and hand.

  • Familiarizes students with performing more than one rhythm at a time.

• NEW - Septuplets studies added.

• NEW - Revised and improved studies throughout.

  • Provides students with improved studies with a dynamic shape.

• Focuses exclusively on rhythm—Metrical rhythm as it is found in the Western tradition of art music to the present time.

  • Provides students with more extensive work in rhythm than is available in other texts.

• Clearly defined and limited groups of patterns introduced in each chapter.

  • Enables students to develop competence with one meter or group of rhythmic patterns before proceeding to another.

• Various ways of performing the exercises and studies.

  • Offers students a variety of ways of approaching the studies.

• Studies that are musically coherent—Composed of well-defined phrases grouped in traditional simple musical forms.

  • Provides students with studies that are long enough to afford repetition, reinforce learning, and give practice in maintaining a steady tempo.

  • Involves students in making music, however simple at the beginning or complex at the end, rather than performing drills.

• Short preliminary exercises—Consisting of single measures or pairs of measures separated by whole-measure rests.

  • Provides students with exercises that serve as preparation for the studies that they precede.

• 130 two-part studies to be sung and clapped—Designed for solo performance, or with one or more people on each part.

  • Provides students with extensive practice in cross-rhythms—Singing and clapping at the same time, different and (in the later chapters) conflicting rhythms.

• Emphasizes singing the rhythms.

  • Provides students with a musical experience that demonstrates that rhythm consists of durations as well as attack patterns.