MMED 601 Multicultural Techniques for Teaching Rhythm

College of Performing Arts School of Music

3 credits 45.0 hours
600 level graduate course

This course utilizes music and dance traditions from Cuba, Brazil, Ghana, and other countries to offer teachers alternatives to mainstream rhythm pedagogy. By incorporating the geography and history of foreign cultures, the students’ musical education is expanded by learning about themselves through the rhythms and musical styles of their ancestors. The traditional rhythms will be presented in both their traditional forms and in simpler forms to make them easier to perform. The simplified forms make the different music, dances, and cultures accessible to the younger student. Enjoyment is a major emphasis, for if students are having fun they are more likely to retain what they are learning. Since different cultures teach music in different ways, the experience of learning how rhythms are taught in other cultures will increase the teacher’s options for rhythmic education and development in the classroom.

This course is not repeatable for credit.