Beginner impro How important is the "formal" method of learning rhythm

[Pete Thomas]

I think @Pete Thomas I’m not an advocate of using words

I think it works sometimes but not others. It's OK if the words have an obvious rhythm or are from a well know tune.

Back to Mary Poppins earworm um diddly iddle diddle um diddle aye.

 

[Vlad]

Back to Mary Poppins earworm um diddly iddle diddle um diddle eye.

You've done it again haven't you 😱

 

[mizmar]

Speaking rhythm....
.... Just a matter of practice

View: https://youtu.be/t1ek4siKqn4

 

[Dr G]

I'd like to directly address the OP's question. The standard methods of counting rhythms, "1 and 2 and etc," may not work for you, and I think it's perfectly fine for you to count in a manner that works better. There is also another method that is used in some school bands, of using the names of foods to feel different rhythms. Language has rhythm, too, and is more relatable to most people. Here's a YouTube video that explains it.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNI20qCdkoo&ab_channel=CentreMusicHouse

Ah, the old tried and true method of teaching kids something that has to be unlearned and replaced with better habits later.

I've run into that (Ow!) when teaching middle school band. Kids often carry those early lessons and have a difficult time transitioning to more challenging rhythms or unfamiliar time signatures.

FWIW, 1-e-and-a isn't something that one has to use forever. At some point, the diligent practitioner will transcend such devices as they inculcate and recognize blocks of rhythmic devices. It's all a matter of learning the vocabulary of music, just like growing a familiarity with scale segments and arpeggios.

For the interested reader, I suggest "Learning Key Jazz Rhythms" by Fred Lipsius (yes, that guy from Blood, Sweat, & Tears).