This week we are going to look at rhythm and rhythmic sequences or patterns.

Rhythmic patterns are a vital part of music and particularly pop music. Rhythm parts, often played on drums or programmed using electronics or digital methods, can drive and support the entire song and get people moving and dancing.

Listen to the rhythm part in the song "Shake it Off" by Taylor Swift as a great example of a rhythmic pattern used in a pop song.

Call and Response: Rhythm

Let's warm up by listening to some rhythm and getting the class to clap them back.

In previous lessons with Igor, we have been using symbols to create our sequences of sounds. We can also use music notation! 

Let's fill in a sequence of music notation with Igor.

A dot will become a crotchet:

And 2 dots with become a pair of quavers.

Let's divide the class into four colour groups and use a different sound or collection of instruments for each group. We can them compose a rhythm and play along with Igor.

Now let's use the same system to play along with the backing track rhythm of "Shake it Off".