Many of you have been asking when the 2nd book of Rhythm Menagerie is coming out, so I thought I’d give you an update. If you get bored with any of this, keep reading to the end because I’m offering a free copy to the first person who can guess the name of the new book (since we can’t call it Menagerie…but read on to find out why). First, I am thrilled that so many of you are writing to tell me how you are using Rhythm Menagerie 1. This has been so encouraging as I try to finish the 2nd book. The latest email was from Melissa a few days ago:
Rhythm Menagerie…was a hit with students!  I’ve not seen them have so much fun with rhythm, some found it challenging, but were still giggling through remembering what to do on what beat as far as “high-fives” and owl sounds, etc.  I’m so much looking forward to the release of Book 2!
Thanks for all those emails!
So when will RM2 be out?
I had intended to get the 2nd book out much earlier, but I needed to take some family time at the beginning of the school year, so production was delayed. I am now in the final editing stages and should have it available by the end of February. I have a hard deadline then since I’ll be presenting Rhythm Menagerie 1 and and RM2 to the Kansas Music Educators Association Conference at the end of February.
What’s included in the 2nd book?
There will be seven units in the 2nd book included units on triplets, sixteenths, dotted eighths, polyrhythms, compound time, to name a few.
What will the 2nd book be called?
This has been a difficult decision! As you can guess, since the artwork is completely different (no more fabulously cute animals since we are dealing with more mature students), we had to name it something different than Rhythm Menagerie. I’m not going to say yet what it’s called, but it will fit into the “Reproducible Rhythm Explorations” series quite nicely.
What is the artwork like?
Different! Modern! Appealing to our pre-teen, teen, and adult students! It’s original and will leave your head spinning in some cases.
What kind of issues have you had with the creation of this book?
Lots! You would not believe how much more difficult it is to create rhythm exercises when there are fewer parameters (and pickier students). It seems like it should be easier, but it’s not. Knowing when to start mixing rhythms like triplets and sixteenths, when to include dotted rhythms in compound meter, etc. are tricky. Making sure that the format and content is appealing to older students is also challenging. But it ha been loads of fun!
When will it be out?
Soon. Very soon. If all goes well, it will be out at the end of February! Thanks so much for your interest. In the meantime, if you haven’t done so, please check out Rhythm Menagerie, the first book in the series!
Want to guess?
Anyone care to guess what the next book will be called? It’s initials are still RM, so that I can refer to the books as RM1 and RM2. The first person to guess the correct name will receive the book for free when it’s ready!
Ready…Set…Guess! (Limit of 1 guess per teacher.) Even if someone’s guessed your guess, please enter what you think it might be called. I’m curious what you all think it should be called!
Note: Newsletter subscribers got a head start on this naming contest, so be sure to sign up for our next newsletter. It comes about once every 2-3 weeks and contains summaries of and links to all the new content on the site!
Rhythm Mastery??????
I’m guessing the name is “Rhythm Rhoulette!”
Rhythm Monsters
Rhythm Mania !
Rhythm Melange
Is it Rhythm Marvels???
Rhythm Mania????
The opposite of depression…. energy!
I thought I’d submit an answer to your upcoming book: Rhythmic Measures ??
Thanks for sharing all your creative ideas. As a piano teacher, I’m always looking for ways to make piano fun for my tweens and teens. Most of my students are between the ages of 8 – 14 and it definitely seems to be more difficult teaching teens because they desire to play more challenging selections; however, I would like to find songs to challenge them, but not overwhelm them.
I’m looking forward to RM2!
Have a great day!
Sharon Edwards
Rhythm Mash!
Rhythm Metropolis
Rhythm Myriad is my guess. Can’t wait to try them. See you at NCKP!
I think it must be Rhythm Magic. And it will be magic if my teenagers can master all those tricky rhythms.
I really like Rhythm Monsters, but since I can’t use someone else’s guess I am going with Rhythm Machine…or Rhythm Metropolis. I love naming things…can I keep going?
Rhythm Microcosm?
My guess is Rhythm Mix-up!
Rhythmic Masters
How about Rhythm Melee? Often times clapping exercises leave all our heads spinning!
Good luck with your book.
Rhythm Maestro
I thought of Rhythmic Maestro but I know someone else has come up with that! Loved your discussion about memorising- i’m one of those pianists who has always struggled – probably why i did lots of accompanying!- partly love playing with others,, partly don’t have to learn off by heart! Now I perf0rm duets- again a good reason not to have to play from memory! I encourage students to learn things off by heart but in the UK it’s not essential for piano exams etc- only singing – (my other insterest!)
Rhythm Medicine
It would treat the problems and cure them.
Rhythm Masters
I meant to say Rhythm Mastery
Rhythm Masquerade (or Masque if you shorten the word). I could think of some fun ideas with that name. 😉
If RM2 is to be modern, different, appealing and for preteen/teen/adults, then maybe the name needs to sound it too? How about RHYTHM MONTAGE!
I think movies/films would appeal to this age group so the word ‘montage’ would work~
The definitions from various sources also make me think of how rhythms within a measure for example combined with other measures to make a whole!
Dictionary.com:
1) technique of combining in a single composition pictorial elements from various sources, as parts of different photographs or fragments of printing, either to give the illusion that the elements belonged together originally or to allow each element to retain its separate identity as a means of adding interest or meaning to the composition.
2) any combination of disparate elements that forms or is felt to form a unified whole, single image, etc.
thefreedictionary.com
1)a musical composed of fragments of music; a quick succession or burst of dialogue or of music and sound effects used to fill the gap in time of a play, opera, etc.
Perhaps the use of montage in photos or films also depict the feel of triplets, sixteenths, polyrhythm..etc. And they may even be able to pick up rhythms heard in favourite movies or create their own! =)
“Rhythm Missions”?
Rhythm Mash-Up.
Rhythm Maneuvers? That was fun guessing!
My guess for the RM2 book is Rhythm Mania.
Rhythm Madness?
Rhythm Mosaic–goes along with the contemp. artwork idea, as well !
My students are loving your RM1, and we’re all looking forward to RM2….whatever it’s called!
Rhythm Magic?
They could surprise me with their rhythmical reading!!!
Rhythm Machine?
My guess for the title of your new book is Rhythm Mania.
Rhythm Mechanics
If not for your initials of RM I would have guessed ‘Rhythmic Robots” or Robots in Rhythm.
Keeping RM I’ll guess ROBOTIC MOVEMENTS.
Rhythm Monstrosities?
Rhythm Mosaics – I was intrigued by the multiple meter section
With two teens and a preteen living in my house, the word “minecraft” comes up a lot. I wonder if the new RM2 name might be Rhythm Minecraft to tap into that?
Could it be Rhythm Menagerie 2? 🙂
I’m also going to guess Rhythm Menagerie 2
Rhythm Motives
Could it be Rhythm Matters?
I guess Rhythm Mania