Rhythms & Rests: Tuba Book

Erickson's approach treats rests as active musical material, not empty space. By pairing rhythm drills with context (full band arrangements that reinforce what students practice), this book moves students past mechanical counting into genuine musicianship. The duet option within etudes gives your section independence work without requiring a second book.

Purposeful and grounded. Each etude has a song-like quality that makes the rhythm work feel musical rather than robotic. The progression builds confidence gradually, with rests and meter changes feeling less intimidating each time you encounter them.

Tuba students in grades 4-8 concert band who are ready to move beyond whole notes and quarter notes into more sophisticated rhythm patterns. This book works best for sections that need targeted rhythmic foundation before tackling more complex full-band repertoire.

• Work the prep drills in order before tackling the etude. They isolate the specific rhythmic challenge without melody distractions.
• When transitioning from etude to duet version, assign parts by ability rather than seat order so both voices remain engaged.
• Treat the rest passages as written silence, not breath breaks. Precision with rests shapes phrasing just as much as articulation does.
• Use the full band selections as a listening check. If your tuba section rushes into the next phrase after a rest, the whole arrangement will expose it immediately.

Assign one unit per month during your regular rehearsal warm-up cycle. The full band selections work well as opening pieces in a concert or as a change-of-pace moment mid-rehearsal. If your band is programming pieces with frequent meter changes or extended rests, front-load this book's preparation a few weeks before.

• Reading rests with rhythmic accuracy (quarter rests, half rests, whole rests in context)
• Recognizing and executing changing meters (5/8, 7/8, and other asymmetrical divisions)
• Eighth-note subdivision in mixed rhythmic contexts
• Ensemble synchronization after rest passages
• Solo and duet performance from the same material