Introducing Rhythmic Grid: A Free Interactive Rhythm Reading Tool

I’m excited to share the first app I’ve created for my website: Rhythmic Grid! This is an interactive rhythm reading tool that features a deck of rhythm cards that can be shuffled into any order. On the right hand side are “Challenge Cards” that are randomly selected that give unique instructions on how to perform the cards. You can perform it left to right, right to left, perform every other card, teacher perform the top row, students the bottom row, and more. You can start with just one row for younger students, or have up to four rows for a really fun challenge!

It also features a metronome that can be adjusted to different speeds. In the future, I hope to include a drum track that visually syncs to the cards, turning it into a play-along app.

I originally got this idea from Artie Almeida’s 2×4 Rhythms activity in her book Mallet Madness Strikes Again, which is a fantastic resource I frequently use in my classroom. I started to wonder how I can take this idea and expand it and turn it into a digital resource. After some tweaking, it’s finally in a state where I’m happy to share.

I’d love to know how you are using it! Please email me at awreyna@gmail.com to share how you use it and if there is any feedback you’d like to offer. I hope to add new features like different levels, background tracks, themes, and more in the future.