Alix Latta

MUSE 258

Citation
Sound Connections Chapter 3
Don Ester
3/20/2019

Discussion
This chapter goes through many possible tonal and rhythmic syllable systems
used in the past and present, and discusses the distinct advantages and disadvantages of each
approach. Eventually, it settles on the two approaches to tonal and rhythmic syllable systems
used within the Sound Connections music education structure, the takadimi rhythmic system and
the movable do, la-minor tonal system.
The reason that this chapter is particularly important for a future music educator
to read is because it provides a rationalization for the approaches that we have been taught to use
in our classes rather than simply expecting us to accept those techniques as law without any
further explanation. By comparing and contrasting the positives and negatives of each approach,
a music educator can come to the correct approach on their own without relying on dogma. This
is also important because it allows the future music educator to defend the reasons that they use
the particular syllable systems that they do to their fellow music colleagues or the administration
of their school system.
This chapter also provides proper reasoning as to why the takadimi rhythmic
system and the movable do, la-minor tonal system is ideal for working with the Sound
Connections approach and the pedagogy that goes into that approach. It explains why these two
systems work best for a system based on sound before sight, which is something that any future
music educator should be aware of before choosing a syllable system.