Published:
2008-09-23
Updated:
2021-12-08
Learning Ukulele with Curt
Modular Phonetic Rhythm, The Foundation and Workbook 1
Modular Phonetic Rhythm represents a significant advance in the teaching and application of rhythm. Eliminating many inefficient aspects of rhythm education, Modular Phonetic Rhythm streamlines the traditional educational approach, resulting in a reflexive reaction to rhythm.
Author(s): Chuck Anderson Publisher: Code: MPRS-FW1
Main Category: Rhythm Main Instrument: Music
Categories: Rhythm
24 June 2026
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Product Info
- Product Code: MPRS-FW1
- Author(s): Chuck Anderson
- Publisher(s):
- Published: 23 September 2008
- Updated: 8 December 2021
- ISBN-13: NA
- Size*: ANSI A
- Pages: 74
- Hard Copy Price: $29.00
- PDF Price: $15.00
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Modular Phonetic Rhythm represents a significant advance in the teaching and application of rhythm. Eliminating many inefficient aspects of rhythm education, Modular Phonetic Rhythm streamlines the traditional educational approach, resulting in a reflexive reaction to rhythm.
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More Modular Phonetic Rhythm, The Foundation and Workbook 1
Evolution in Music Education
The difficulty in the study of rhythm has always been its abstract nature - and its mathematical implications. Contrary to popular opinion, being good at math does not guarantee or even indicate the potential for musical proficiency. My observations over the years have supported the theory that musical tendencies are often the outgrowth of communication skills, such as language. Music engineers often show high aptitude in math but not necessarily musicians.
Rhythm has traditionally been taught as a function of math, particularly fractions. Though accurate, this approach has missed one of the most fundamental facts of rhythm. Rhythm is a language and is, as such, phonetic not mathematical. The average student exposed to the math orientation of rhythm has rarely absorbed the essence of rhythm and rarely even becomes proficient at reading rhythm. This often becomes a lifetime barrier to the developing musician.
There is a strong correlation between the ability to spell and strong fundamentals in phonics. Phonetic skills allow us to “sound out” words, even words that we’ve never seen before! We understand the principle of sound as it applies to phonetic combinations. The "sight" of the letter combination triggers a reflexive "sound"; reaction. If rhythm could be broken down into phonetic units, then rhythm would become an easily recognized aural language.
Using the word umbrella as a model, we count 8 letters but only 3 syllables. If we attempt to pronounce this word as 8 sounds u-m-b-r-e-l-l-a, the sound is one of a speech impediment. But if we pronounce it as 3 syllables, we get um-brel-la. This is considerably easier to pronounce as 3 sounds rather than 8 sounds. Modular Phonetic Rhythm approaches rhythm with this syllable orientation.
As in most large systems, the fundamentals are surprisingly limited but the combinations and applications are seemingly endless. Consider how many numbers we have, yet they are all based on the numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 How many words are there in the English language and yet we only have 26 letters in our alphabet!
Modular Phonetic Rhythm is based on 26 basic rhythm syllables. These rhythm syllables vary from 1 note to 6 notes and from 1 beat to 4 beats. It is divided into 4 levels based on the subdivision of the beat. Ties and rests are approached as extensions or displacements respectively.
Creating Introductions and Turnarounds for `Ukulele
Introductions are a composed or improvised pieces of music that introduce - sets the stage for - a song or composition. Introductions, or intro for short, are used in all types of music. In this lesson, the focus is on introductions in contemporary pop, rock, blues, country, folk and jazz styles.
Learning the Bo Diddley Strum
The Bo Diddley strum is named after Bo Diddley. Bo Diddley is an American R&B vocalist, guitarist, songwriter ( usually as Ellas McDaniel ), and rock and roll pioneer. He introduced more insistent, driving rhythms and a hard-edged electric guitar sound on a wide-ranging catalog of songs, along with African rhythms and a signature beat (a simple five-accent clave rhythm) that remains a cornerstone of rock and pop.
Modular Phonetic Rhythm
"Modular Phonetic Rhythm" by Chuck Anderson represents a significant advance in the teaching and application of rhythm. Eliminating many inefficient aspects of rhythm education, Modular Phonetic Rhythm streamlines the traditional educational approach, resulting in a reflexive reaction to rhythm. This approach is applicable to all ages and to all styles of music.
Quarter Note Strum
Chords and music are organized into bars or measures with the most common number of beats per bar or measure being four. One of the most basic strumming patterns and the foundation for ALL future strumming is the "Quarter Note Strum". As the name implies this strumming pattern is one quarter note per beat.
Rhythm - Avoid at Your Own Peril
The often neglected and taken for granted subject of Rhythm. Music is Melody, Harmony and Rhythm. We are drawn, initially to music by melody at a very early age, with the instrument of our voice. With ukulele you typically learn chords - the harmony and never really dive into learning rhythm. Unless you're a drummer we take rhythm for granted.
The Muted Strum
The muted strum is executed by relaxing the chord hand during the strum. If the chord is a barre, relaxing the pressure is enough to create the percussive, drum like effect. If holding an open chord, the fingers relax but maintain enough finger pressure to get the muted sound. This is what a few players are calling, The Universal Muted Chord. You're utilizing your ukulele as a percussive instrument and there is no discernible pitch - just like a drum. This chord works on any song just as a drum works with any song and does't care what the key is. This is a great chord to use when learning a new strum.
Triplet Based Strums - 12/8
A triplet, as the “tri” in the name implies, means three. It’s the subdivision of the beat into three even parts. Notice that I had used the word three for the number 3 in my writing. So, if I’m counting any beat which can be sub divided by three, it’s 1 2 3. No need to use words such as trip-o-let or one triplet, two triplet, etc to count.
`Ukulele Strums - Core Pattern 4.1
Another one of the 72 possible strumming patterns based of the Modular Phonetic Rhythm systems level II rhythmic syllables. A dotted quarter note and one eight note to four eight notes. Basically one rhythmic rhythmic syllable from the Modular Phonetic Rhythm tied to another syllable from the system.
`Ukulele Strums and The Modular Phonetic Rhythm System
Strums are Inseparably Linked to Rhythm. Any strum can be broken down to its Modular Phonetic rhythmic syllables. Modular Phonetic Rhythm, by Chuck Anderson is a system for learning rhythm. It teaches rhythm phonetically - just as language does. Remember 'Strums ARE rhythm'