Poison Rhythm Game

The poison rhythm game is commonly done in group settings, but here is an adaptation for a private lesson.

What You Need:

• Paper
• Writing utensil
• Drums or other percussion instruments (optional)

Setup:

• None

How to Play:

• Write out one measure of rhythm in 4/4 time and place it where both players can see it. This is the poison rhythm.
• The teacher plays a measure in 4/4 time (not the poison rhythm). If you’re not using instruments, just clap the rhythm. The student should listen carefully and play or clap it back.
• Repeat the call and response rhythms as many times as you like.
• At some point, the teacher should play the poison rhythm. The student should NOT play back the poison rhythm. If they stop and do nothing, they have earned a point. If they are not paying attention and do play it back, the teacher earns a point.
• Write a new poison rhythm and go again. The game ends whenever you run out of time.

Variations:

• To make it easier, use only basic rhythms, count out loud, and give the student multiple chances to play back each rhythm.
• To make it harder, use more complicated rhythms or make each rhythm two measures long.
• To make it more creative, switch roles so that the student is generating all the rhythms.