Adult Learners, Elementary

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Sight Clapping the “Basic Beat"

If an example is in 4/4 time, does the basic beat need to be clapped exclusively in quarter notes? Is it acceptable for the student to subdivide the basic beat, and tap eighth notes for the entire selection? Or sixteenth notes for the entire selection? According to your videos on the website it is only in quarter notes. For a 6/8 selection, would you expect a basic beat of eighth notes to be tapped throughout?

Answer

RCM Staff

Monday, June 15, 2020

at 3:10 PM

The expectation is that in sight clapping the student will clap or tap the “basic beat.” In simple time, the student should tap the main beat, and not the subdivisions. In 4/4, this would involve clapping four beats in each measure. Although there will likely be subdivisions within the clapping excerpt itself (tapped with the other hand, or spoken) the “basic beat” should be the quarter note.

In the sight-clapping requirements, 6/8 meter first appears at the Intermediate Levels (5-8). At these levels it can be helpful for students to tap the eighth-note pulse, which is more likely to result in a steady and accurate performance. However, as long as a steady tempo is maintained, tapping either 6 pulses per bar, or 2 beats per bar is acceptable. In either case, accuracy and steadiness of the tapping or clapping is the most important factor for evaluation.

Monday, June 15, 2020

at 3:10 PM

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