Rhythms of Aranjuez

Slide1Rhythmic activities inspired by the 3rd movement of Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez.

1. Counting in 6

  • This movement of Concierto de Aranjuez uses some traditional Spanish rhythms. We’re going to learn some of them and play along with the recording.
  • First of all though we need to learn to count in 6.
  • Sounds easy…and it is. Count over and over again to six making sure that each number is the same length:

1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6

  • Do this again but make 1 and 4 louder than the others. All numbers should still be the same length.

1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6

  • Do this yet again, but this time make 1, 3 and 5 louder:

1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 51 2 3 4 51 2 3 4 51 2 3 4 51 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6

  • Now do it again, but count the first lot of six with 1 and 4 louder and the second lot of six with 1, 3 and 5 louder. The repeat the pattern over and over:

1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 51 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 51 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6

Slide2

  • Choose an untuned percussion instrument, and repeat all these activities, but play the numbers as well. If you want to sound Spanish, you should choose castanets, maracas or claves.
  • Repeat all the activities one more time, but this time you’re only allowed to count in your head, not out loud, and you still have to play the correct numbers louder than the others.
  • Try the rhythms at different speeds. You need to be able to do the last one quite quickly
  • This last pattern is the Spanish pattern Rodrigo uses in this music. Listen to the recording and listen out for the pattern 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6.
  • Play along with the recording – it’s quite a fast beat so you’ll have to be thinking and listening hard.
  • In music notation this pattern is written like this:

aranjuew rhythms

2. Patterns in 6

  • Slide3Now you know how to write down patterns of six with accents on different notes, compose some of your own.
  • Write down your rhythmic patterns using quavers and accents.
  • Experiment with different dynamics and change the tempo of your rhythms. You could add notes to your rhythms by playing them on a glockenspiel or other instrument.
  • You could also add rests to your patterns.
  • Join together with some friends so that you can try several patterns playing at the same time.
  • Join your rhythm patterns together to make a piece of music.

Slide4

 

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