Rhythm. Carolyn Graham

The word rhythm is derived from rhythmos (Greek) which means “measured motion.”

Rhythm exists in all spheres of human activity and assumes multivarious forms.
It is a deliberate arrangement of speech into regularly recurring units intended to be grasped as a definite periodicity which makes rhythm an SD.

Rhythm is a literary device that demonstrates the long and short patterns through stressed and unstressed syllables, particularly in verse form.

Jazz Chants

Carolyn Graham is the creator of numerous English language teaching books, most notably Jazz Chants and Let's Sing, Let's Chant, published by Oxford University Press

Carolyn Graham:
“A jazz chant is really just spoken American English with an awareness of the natural rhythms.”

•Chants use natural spoken English
•Chants can be used in classes of any size
•Chants don’t require any special materials
•Chants can be used with all age groups
•Chants do not require musical ability

Hi! How are you?
Fine. How are you?
I'm fine. How's Bill?
He's fine.
How's Mary?
She's fine.
How are the children? They're fine.
How's your job?
It's fine.
How's Jack?
He's sick!
Oh no!

Why is this focus on stress, rhythm, and grouping so useful?
* For native English speakers, stress is key to meaning. It’s what we listen for to know what’s important and what to focus on.
* Jazz chants are a fun, practical way to help students begin to notice and produce natural rhythm.

Rhythm in Sentences
How many syllables? How many stresses?
Kids play ball.
3 syllables/3 stresses = 3 beats
The kids play ball.
4 syllables/3 stresses = 3 beats
The kids are playing ball.
6 syllables/3 stresses = 3 beats
The kids are playing with the ball.
8 syllables/3 stresses = 3 beats
The kids have been playing with the ball.
9 syllables/ 3 stresses = 3 beats

Hello. How've You Been?
Hello. How've you been?
It's so good to see you.
It's good to see you.
How've you been?
Just fine.
Hello, how've you been?
Hello, how've you been?
Hello, how've you been?
Just fine.
Just fine.
It's so good to see you.
It's so good to see you.
It's good to see you.
How've you been?
Just fine.

Jack! You're Back! *
Jack! You're back!
I haven't seen you for a long time.
How've you been?
Just fine.
It's been a long time.
How've you been?
Just fine.
It's been a long time.
I'm so glad you're back, Jack.
So am I
I'm so glad you're back, Jack.
So am I.
I'm so glad you're back.
I'm so glad you're back.
I'm so glad you're back, Jack.
So am I
I haven't seen you for a long time.