New Unit! South Asian Rhythms & Grooves
S’Cool Sounds (SCS) continues to expand its free online learning resources with South Asian Rhythms & Grooves, a new unit developed by SCS Teaching Artist Mir Naqibul Islam. Designed for grades 2-5, the unit introduces students to rhythmic patterns from South Asian music, including dadra tal, rupak tal, keherwa tal, jhap tal, and tin tal—while exploring grooves in 6, 7, 8, 10, and 16 beats that appear across many musical traditions.
The new unit builds on Mir’s work in the classroom, where students respond with curiosity and energy, quickly gaining confidence as they clap, count, and learn together. Mir says the group practice and performance help students feel more connected to the music and one another.
This work continues in other SCS programming throughout the year, such as TereKete: A South Asian Music Journey, an assembly designed by Mir that is featured during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May.
Meanwhile, in Kenya, another season of the Futures Music Program kicks off with excitement and momentum. On the first day, students engaged in general music literacy classes as well as instruction on instruments of their choice: recorder, saxophone, keyboard, percussion, and guitar. The program is off to a strong start, filled with joyful music-making and collaboration.
Your generosity makes it possible for us to expand SCS curriculum and programming opportunities for students across New York City and Kenya.
VIDEO OF THE WEEK
The new South Asian Rhythms & Grooves unit features two types of instructional videos—“Watch & Learn” and “Practice”—so students can follow along and practice the rhythms from anywhere. This video offers a glimpse into Mir’s teaching as he guides students through the rhythms of Dadra Tal.