Rhythm Flashcards
Here are some printable rhythm flashcards. These flashcards use the basic rhythm values that beginning students learn. These patterns are set using 4/4 time, but that is not written on the cards. Often method books introduce rhythm by teaching the names of the note values and how many beats each note gets. There are two patterns on each page. After you print out the rhythm patterns, cut down the middle of the page to create individual cards. I like to print these on card stock so that the flashcards hold up better.
How to the Flashcards in a Lesson
Students can clap each card and say the names of the note values. Or clap each card and say the number of beats each note gets. I usually go through the cards one time in each lesson for several weeks. As students gain understanding and confidence, I will begin to make “trains” of the flashcards. We will start with choosing 2 cards and having the student clap them back to back. The following week we will make a train of 3 cards. I will keep adding the number of cards to the rhythm train until we get to clapping all the cards in a row.
Using Rhythm Flashcards at Home
I have also included a page in this pdf for parents. Parents who have never taken music lessons may not be familiar with the terms. This is a chart to help parents remember from the lesson, what each note is called. And it helps them know how to clap each note and what to say while clapping.
Rhythm Game
Sometimes I will assign for a student to do the same rhythm clapping activities at home that I do in the lesson. In order to save ink and paper, I have created mini rhythm flashcards. All the same cards that are in the pdf file above are here on 1 page. The parents guide to rhythm reading is also included with the mini flashcards.
For another fun rhythm game, check out at Susan Paradis.com. Her Fishy Fish rhythm game is always a hit with my students. It’s a matching game with some silly fishy faces. Print out her fish flash cards and student match the note fish to the fish with the number of beats. She also includes quarter note rest, half note rest, and the whole note rest.
