This paper argues for the use of rhythmic rounds in the aural skills classroom. Adapting methods developed for marching percussion, it highlights the benefits for ensemble rhythmic performance and offers advice for constructing and teaching the rounds.

Some drumline warm-ups are simple unison exercises, while others are more-involved ensemble etudes, with each subsection performing their own part. Still others are written so they can be played either in unison or as a round. Exercises of this last type are quite useful because the same warm-up can be used to work on different skill sets.

This same kind of exercise can be adapted for the aural skills classroom at various levels. While the examples in this poster are taken from Aural Skills IV, covering topics ranging from syncopation to metric modulation, the concept can be adapted for any course in the theory sequence. Moreover, the various options for performance allow for differentiation in the classroom. Depending on students skill levels, etudes can be performed in unison or in parts, either in small groups or with one performer per part.

To aid with the construction of such etudes, I borrow the concept of "check patterns" from marching percussion. Check patterns are basic rhythmic units. They are often inserted as a "guide" prior to a more complicated rhythm, setting up students for success in performance, and they can be used as the foundation of a rhythmic round, aiding educators in the composition process.