110 Sight Singing Assignment

Practicing Polyrhythms

Practice with a metronome on the beat (lower part). Perform the following rhythms in several ways: 1) say “Tah” for the upper part and clap the lower part; 2) say numbers (for instance, “one, two, three, four, five”) for the upper part and clap the lower part; 3) on piano, play the upper part in the right hand and the lower part in the left hand; or 4) slap your knees or hips; using the right hand for the upper part and left hand for the lower part.

Two Against Three; Three Against Two

Three Against Four; Four Against Three

Two Against Five; Five Against Two

Three Against Five; Five Against Three

More Advanced Rhythms: Smaller Subdivisions of the Beat

Conduct in “big beats,” but think in “small subdivisions.” Aim for perfect rhythmic specificity.

Melodies Containing Smaller Rhythmic Subdivisions

The first excerpt comes from a French overture, a characteristic Baroque form that starts with a stately opening section featuring dotted rhythms. At the first asterisk, change to the solfege of E minor. At the second asterisk, change to the solfege of D major.

Johann Sebastian Bach, Orchestral Suite No. 2 BWV 1067, Ouverture

Joseph Haydn, Symphony Hob. 1:104, II.

Franz Schubert, Symphony No. 5 D. 485, II.

Duets With Smaller Subdivisions

Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 5 Op. 73 (“Emperor”), I.