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

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)

Beats

1 2 321 1 2 321 3 4 5

etc.

Underlying BEAT structure for “Frere Jacques” (Are you sleeping)

Beats

1 2 321 1 2 321 3 4 5

etc.

Subdivisions

etc.

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 WStrong 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