Helping Students with Syncopation – 28 Syncopated Exercises for Band
Let’s face it…many students struggle with syncopated rhythms. The idea of having to play off the beat can confuse a lot of young musicians. Part of the problem is that students do not hear the subdivided beat in their heads and so they end up guessing where to place the notes. As a solution, I have created the 28 Syncopated Exercises for Band.
This set of exercises divides the band into two sections. The snare drum acts as a metronome by playing a continuous set of 8th notes or 16th notes. This allows the rest of the band to hear the subdivided pulse all throughout the exercise.
All of the exercises are based on a concert Bb scale. The students are encouraged to write out the counts for each of the exercises as well as be able to clap out or sing the rhythms.
