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Elements of Music (continued). Rhythm. Rhythm. (General) The ordered flow of music through time (Specific) a pattern of durations of notes and silences in music. Beat. Regular, recurrent pulsation that divides music into equal units of time
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Rhythm • (General) The ordered flow of music through time • (Specific) a pattern of durations of notes and silences in music
Beat • Regular, recurrent pulsation that divides music into equal units of time • In music from the late Middle Ages and Renaissance, the beat was called a tactus • If you can tap a steady pulse to a piece of music, then it has a beat • Some music, such as Gregorian Chant, doesn’t have a beat
Underlying BEAT structure for “Frere Jacques” (Are you sleeping) 1 2 321 1 2 321 3 4 5 etc. Beats
Underlying BEAT structure for “Frere Jacques” (Are you sleeping) 1 2 321 1 2 321 3 4 5 etc. etc. Beats Subdivisions
Underlying BEAT structure for “Frere Jacques” (Are you sleeping) 1 2 321 1 2 321 3 4 5 ACCENT - dynamic emphasis of a note
Underlying BEAT structure for “Frere Jacques” (Are you sleeping) 1 2 321 1 2 321 3 4 5 S W S W S W Strong Weak
Meter • Organization of beats into regular groups • These recurring patterns most often are grouping of 2, 3, or 4 • 2 (Duple) - Example: HAYDN “Surprise” Symphony • 3 (Triple) - Example: BRAHMS “How Lovely” • 4 (Quadruple) - Example: BEETHOVEN Mvt. 1 from Symphony No. 5
IGOR STRAVINSKY “Dance of the Adolescents” from Rite of Spring 1 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 2 Accented notes occurring on regularly unaccented beats or subdivisions
Syncopation • Accenting of a note at an unexpected time, as between two beats or on a weak beat or subdivision • Examples: • WILLIAM GRANT STILL Afro-American Symphony • PHILIP GLASS “Knee Play 1” from Einstein on the Beach
Rubato • Slight holding back or pressing forward of tempo to intensify the expression of the music, often used in romantic music • Example: • FREDERIC CHOPIN - Nocturne in Eb
Dotted Rhythms • Long-short rhythmic pattern in which a dotted note is followed by a note that is much shorter • Example: • GEORGES BIZET “Faradole” from L’Arlesienne Suite
Tempo • Basic pace of the music • The absolute “speed” of the beat • Can be measured or indicated exactly by a Metronome Marking (beats per minute)
Tempo Indication • Words, usually at the beginning of a piece of music, often in Italian, which specify the pace at which the music should be played
Tempo Indication words • Largo, Adagio - slow • Andante, Allegretto, Moderato - moderately • Allegro, Vivace, Presto - fast