CHAPTER 1: The Elements of Music
2
RHYTHM
Rhythm
is the element of "TIME" in music. When you tap your foot to the music, you
are "keeping the
beat
" or following the structural rhythmic pulse of the music. There
are several important aspects of rhythm:
•
DURATION
: how long a sound (or silence) lasts.
•
TEMPO
:
the speed of the BEAT.
(Note:
Tempo indications
are often designated by Italian terms):
Largo
=
"large" or labored (slow)
Adagio
= slow
Andante
= steady "walking" tempo
Moderato
= moderate
Allegro
=
fast ("happy")
Presto
= very fast
<——————————SLOWER
FASTER——————————>
Largo
Adagio
Andante
Moderato
Allegro
Presto
Beats per minute 40-65
66-75
76-107
108-119
120-167
168-208
NOTE: These tempos are not specific—but RELATIVE to each other.
•
METER
:
Beats
organized into recognizable/recurring accent patterns.
Meter
can
be seen/felt through the standard patterns used by conductors.
Other basic terms relating to
Rhythm
are:
Syncopation
: an "off-the-beat" accent (between the counted numbers)
Ritardando
: gradually SLOWING DOWN the tempo
Accelerando
: gradually SPEEDING UP the tempo
Rubato
: freely and expressively making subtle changes in the tempo.
(a technique commonly encountered in music of the
Romantic
era)
__________________________________________________________
2
4
1
2
STRONG
weak
DUPLE meter
a 2-pulse grouping
1
2
Conductor's Pattern
Diagram of a Musical Measure
TRIPLE meter
a 3-pulse grouping
3
4
1
2
3
STRONG
weak weak
2
1
3
QUADRUPLE meter
a 4-pulse grouping
4
4
1
2
3
4
STRONG
weak Medium weak
4
1
2
3