One performs. The other listens.
Count1&2&3&4&
A●·●·●·●·
B●·●●●·●·
C●···●●●·
One column per half beat. A filled circle marks the start of a sound.
- 01
Teacher
Count in, perform the pattern, then stop.
- 02
Handover
Say “your turn” and leave space.
- 03
Learner
Count in and echo with their own steady pulse.
Use these rhythm cards in a turn-taking lesson. Each pattern lasts four crotchet beats. A dash means continue holding; “and” divides a beat into two equal quavers.
| Card | Count | What to clap |
|---|---|---|
| A | 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 | Four equal claps |
| B | 1 · 2-and · 3 · 4 | Clap on 1, 2, and, 3 and 4 |
| C | 1-and · 2 · 3-and · 4 | Two quavers, crotchet, two quavers, crotchet |
| D | 1—2 · 3 · 4 | Hold a sound for two beats, then two claps |
| E | 1 · rest on 2 · 3-and · 4 | Clap, silent beat, two quavers, clap |
| F | 1-and · 2-and · 3—4 | Four quavers, then a two-beat sound |
Play the game
- Teacher counts in and performs one card alone.
- Teacher stops and says “your turn”.
- Learner counts in and echoes it.
- Learner names one feature: a rest, a long sound or a divided beat.
Do not try to clap together across a delayed connection. Judge the learner’s own pulse, not whether their claps arrive alongside yours.
Change the challenge
Begin with A and B. Then let the learner choose a card for you to echo. Finally, change one beat and ask them to identify the change.
Answer check: Every card occupies four beats. Card E contains silence on beat 2; the pulse continues through it.