Transcript Elements of Music (continued)

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)
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
Strong
W
Weak
S
W
S
W
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