This is a how to on how to do the rhythm clapbacks for ear tests in Royal Conservatory of Toronto exams. With the rhythm clapback it’s basically just a memory test so a lot of what you need to do is just practise.
Having said that, I do have a couple of tips I usually give my students.
First, because they’re going to play it twice, the first time around just listen. I have a lot of students that will start clapping right away, to try to clap along, but you haven’t even heard it yet, so what are you clapping? So first time, just listen to it.
The second time, try to surreptitiously tap along or clap along, remembering what you just heard.
And then third time, when it’s your turn to do it, come in right away, in rhythm. If you spend too much time thinking about what it is, you’re going to start forgetting it pretty quickly.
To help you in remembering, don’t just memorise the rhythmic pattern, because if you’re going slow fast fast slow slow, fast fast slow… that’s really hard to remember. But if you just remember the tune of it like it’s a song, then you just clap along while you sing the melody in your head, then the rhythm will come naturally.
If you’re having trouble clapping along to the melody, then I would suggest taking a song that you really like, maybe play it on youtube or a CD or however you usually listen to your music, and clap along to the melody. That way you will get used to the idea of clapping the rhythm.
It’s also a good idea when you’re clapping to just clap lightly and not bring your hands too far apart, that way you can do quick rhythms easily without having to rush.
See me work through some examples in the video above, or leave a comment below if you have any questions!