I think interesting rhythms are a great “hook” that composers can use in their music. Hemiola just happens to be one of my favorite rhythmic tools. Several of my students have been studying rhythmic dictation in 6/8 timing and we have been discussing the “normal” way that 6/8 is notated. This brought me to teaching them about hemiola, though there is no hemiola in their music currently. They love it as much as I do! So I hope you’ll take a chance and teach some of your mid-intermediate students about hemiola. It’s super fun!
I’ve added these worksheets to the Wendy’s Piano Studio/Teaching Resources/Rhythm Worksheets section of the site though you can also access them here:
Super pages on hemiolas!!! Thanks for your effort in producing them, and for sharing them!! I was reminded, through the Fabers’ presentations at the KMTA conference, that repetition–not correction–is the key to success in the lessons. We’ll have fun using these in a variety of mediums, and they won’t even know they’re “drilling!”
Hi Wendy,
Fun meeting you at convention.
Now, I’m wondering on the hemiola, do you use specific words for this concept or MM. I would like to her your take on this. I’ve used a couple but would like some new ideas. This happens so much in the popular venue and some of the composers writing in different styles, ie Mier.
Thanks, Wendy. These will be most helpful for my summer camp. I had problems with a senior girl this year who didn’t understand this concept, so she just quit the piece. It was frustating for me to have this happen. Now I’ll just whip out these excercises and tell them a master composer made them!. Brahms made a greaat use of these in his 4-hand Waltzes, which I’m currently doing with another senior girl who not only understands, but loves the “simple complexity” of these challenges
Hi Arlene,
It was great meeting you at the convention too! I only wish that I had gotten a picture of you and me!
I love to introduce the hemiola with the Berstein, “I like to be in A-mer-i-ca” song! It’s perfect for this rhythm. I’m brainstorming now, but you could also try…”Cutting the rhythm a FUN – NEW – WAY” (the capitalized words being the hemiola). You could also try, “Cutting the rhythm in QUAR – TER – NOTES.” Let me know if these work. I’ll try them on my students too!
Great! I’m glad to hear they might be a help to you! I usually introduce the sound of the rhythm first before I try to explain it. I think it helps for them to “feel” it first. Perhaps after your student has done it for a while, she’ll understand it.