Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Good, Better, Best Rhythmic Dictation

Good, Better, Best


As the new year rolls in and I visit new year's resolutions once again, the words to this "Good, Better, Best" chant that I heard at 4H camp as a teenager provided the inspiration for my January piano group lesson themed activities for this month. 

"Good, better best.  Never let it rest.  

Make your good better and your better best."

Rhythmic Dictation
Rhythm Dictation sample beat board
Good, Better, Best!
Materials Needed:
Beat Boards (1 per student - free printable with instructions on pianimation.com)
Beans or small candies




Instructions: Give each student a beat board with at least 8 small beans or candies and the rhythmic dictation printable.  Clap one or 2 measures at a time and have students figure out the rhythms following the steps on the free printable.  This activity could be done in either a private lesson or group setting.

In one of my favorite inspirational talks with the same title, Dallin H Oaks echoed a similar theme when he said "We should begin by recognizing the reality that just because something is good is not a sufficient reason for doing it. The number of good things we can do far exceeds the time available to accomplish them. Some things are better than good, and these are the things that should command priority attention in our lives."  I love musical activities that not only increase musical skill but also focus on character building.

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