Rhythm - Movement of Music in Time

I. Rhythm: movement of music in time A. Propels music forward 1. 2. B. Beat: basic unit of rhythm 1. 2. C. Regularly recurring patterns of beats; depend on regular accents 1. 2. a) quadruple: four beats per measure (strongest-weakstrong-weak) compound meters: beats divided into three a) sextuple (compound duple): six beats per measure two main beats (ONE-and-a, TWO-and-a) 1. V. downbeat: first accented beat of each pattern simple meters: beats divided into two a) duple: alternates strong downbeat with a weak beat (ONE two) b) triple: three beats per measure (ONE two three) associated with dances; e.g., waltz, minuet 2. IV. meter organizes the flow of rhythm measures (or bars): contain fixed number of beats measure (bar) lines: vertical lines designate measures Metrical Patterns A. III. regular pulse divides time into equal segments strong beats: accented, provide rhythmic pulse Meter: organizes groups of beats 1. 2. 3. II. most fundamental element of music notes have length, duration upbeat: music begins with weak beat, anticipates downbeat Rhythmic Complexities A. Syncopation: accents fall on offbeats 1. 2. B. Polyrhythm: simultaneous conflicting rhythmic patterns 1. 2. C. drum ensembles from Ghana, Uganda gamelan music of Indonesia Additive rhythms: grouping of irregular numbers of beats 1. 2. D. offbeats: weak beats, in between stronger beats African American dance rhythms, jazz beats add up to larger pattern, e.g. 2+3+3 (= 8) typical of Indian classical music Nonmetric: no strong sense of beat or meter 1. chant of the early Christian church Term Rhythm Beat Accent Meter Measure Downbeat Duple meter Triple meter Quadruple meter Simple meter Sextuple meter Upbeat Syncopation Offbeat Polyrhythm Nonmetric Description The controlled movement of music in time. Regular pulsation; a basic unit of length in musical time. The emphasis on a beat resulting in its being louder or longer than another in a measure. Organization of rhythm in time; the grouping of beats into larger, regular patterns, notated as measures. or bar First beat of the measure, the strongest in any meter. Basic metrical pattern of two beats to a measure. Basic metrical pattern of three beats to a measure. Basic metrical pattern of four beats to a measure. Also common time. Meter in which the beat is divided into two, as in duple, triple, and quadruple meters. Compound metrical pattern of six beats to a measure. Last beat of a measure, a weak beat that anticipates the downbeat. Deliberate upsetting of the meter or pulse through a temporary shifting of the accent to a weak beat or an offbeat. A weak beat or weak portion of a beat. The simultaneous use of several rhythmic patters or meters, common in twentieth-century music and certain African musics. Music lacking a strong sense of beat or meter, common in certain nonWestern cultures. QUIZ 1. QUESTION 1 2. When a melody begins before a downbeat, it is said to begin on a(n) a. upbeat. b. irregular beat. c. consonance. 3. QUESTION 2 1. Playing music in two simultaneous rhythms is known as polyrhythm. True False 4. QUESTION 3 1. An accented beat followed by two weak beats indicates a __________ meter. 2. a. quadruple b. duple c. triple 5. QUESTION 4 1. In notation, regular groupings of beats are marked off in measures. True False 6. QUESTION 5 1. In quadruple meter, the second-strongest accent is typically on which beat? 2. a. second b. third c. first 7. QUESTION 6 1. ________ is created when the regular accent is shifted to a weak beat or an offbeat. a. Compound meter b. Quadruple meter c. Syncopation 8. QUESTION 7 1. The downbeat coincides with the upward stroke of a conductor’s hand. True False 9. QUESTION 8 1. Which of the following is NOT a simple meter? 2a. compound b. triple c. duple 10. QUESTION 9 1. In duple meter, the accent is typically on which beat? 2. a. second b. third c. first 11. QUESTION 10 1. Simple meters are meters in which the beats are divided into three. True False 12. QUESTION 11 1. Accents between the beats are called offbeats. True False 13. QUESTION 12 1. The number of beats in a measure determines the 2a. meter. b. tempo. c. rhythm. 14. QUESTION 13 1. Music that moves without a strong sense of beat is 2a. nonmetric. b. syncopated. c. disjunct. 15. QUESTION 14 1. The basic unit of rhythm is the 2. a. tempo. b. beat. c. note. d. measure. 16. QUESTION 15 1. All music has a strong, discernable beat. True False 17. QUESTION 16 1. In a compound meter, the beat divides into groups of 2. a. two. b. four. c. three. 18. QUESTION 17 1. The element that propels music forward in time is 2. a. harmony. b. melody. c. rhythm. 19. QUESTION 18 1. Polyphony occurs when several meters are played simultaneously. True False 20. QUESTION 19 1. In triple meter, the strongest accent is typically on which beat? 2. a. third b. first c. second 21. QUESTION 20 1. The first accented beat of each metric pattern is known as the 2. a. upbeat. b. onbeat. c. downbeat.