This piece has several different rhythms that are apparent throughout the entire piece. In this unit study, we will focus on the use of the dotted quarter note rhythm. Example 1 is taken from the “America, The Beautiful” section and is first heard in the trumpets and horns at measure 23.

Example 1

 
• Count and clap this rhythm. Make sure that the eighth note is on the and of beat 2. (hint: Subdivide the beats in your head)
• Write in the counts above the notes.
• Play this rhythm on a concert B-flat

The second rhythm in example 2 is taken from the “Simple Gifts” section of this piece. This rhythm in the music is measure 13 with the pick-ups. The trumpets state this rhythm, and the trombones echo it.

Example 2

 
• Count and clap this rhythm out loud. Pay close attention to beats 3 and 4. The last dotted quarter note is on the and of beat 3 so it gets the value of (and 4 and).
• Write in the counts above the notes
• Play this rhythm on a concert Bflat.
• Play pick-ups into measure 13-15. Listen for the trumpets and trombones with this rhythm.

The third rhythm in example 3 is taken from “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” This rhythm not only uses the dotted quarter note, but a dotted eighth note followed by a sixteenth note rhythm as well. It is important when reading and playing this rhythm that the dotted eighth-sixteenth note rhythm is not swung. The sixteenth note should be close to the dotted eighth note. This is a march so there should be straight, precise rhythms.

Example 3

 
• Count and clap this rhythm out loud. Make sure the rhythm is not swung and very precise.
• Write the counts in above the notes
• Play this rhythm on a concert B-Flat.