“Rhythm by the Numbers” is a tablature form of notation.

It is “pre-notation” if you like.  The goal of the notation is to give an easily understandable matrix for the cycle of  4 in which most western music is played.  The idea as you can see from the instructions on the page is to count out loud and follow the notation.  The first exercise I have my students do is to play with both feet on the white blocks and both hands on grey.  And of course to count out loud.  This builds coordination and communication between the upper and lower half of the body while the voice is engaged.

Give it a try! If you don’t have a drum set, you can stomp your feet on the ground and slap you hands on your knees. Or you can clap on the white block and hit a table on grey just like the old mary mac mac mac game.  Click the next button for more examples.