Chapter 3 Rhytm

Measure

a group containing a fixed number of beats

Triple meter

a pattern of 3 beats to the measure, count 1-2-3, 1-2-3, etc

Beat

a regular, recurrent pulsation that divides music into equal unites of time

Upbeat

an unaccented pulse preceding the downbeat

Prestissimo

as fast as possible

aspect of rhythm:

beat, meter, accent, syncopation, and tempo

accelerando

becoming faster

ritardando

becoming slower

accent and syncopation

creates rhythmic excitement and is oneof the most charcteristic features of jazz.

metronome

device that ticks or flashes a light at any desired musical speed, and a metronome setting indicates the exact number of beats per minute

Accent

dynamic accent is by playing it more loudly than the notes around it

Rhythm

essential feature of a melody's "personality"

Allegro

fast

Quadruple meter

has 4 beats to the measure, count 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4, etc

Sextuple meter

has 6 quick beat to the measure. Downbeat is strongest, but fourth beat also has a stress, count 1-2-3-4-5-6. Subdivided into two 3-beat groups 1-2-3/4-5-6

Vivace

lively

Largo

meaning: very slow, broad

Moderato

moderate

Allegretto

moderately fast

Andante

moderately slow, a walking pace

Syncopation

occurs when an "off-beat" note is accented

example of beat

pulse of music is communicated, beat is explicitly pounded out-by a bass drum in marching band. Beat is sensed rather than actually heard

Adagio

slow

Downbeat

the first or stressed, beat of the measure

What is rhytm?

the flow of music through time.

Meter

the organization of beats into regular groups

Tempo

the speed of the beat - the basic pace of music, fast tempos with energy, drive, and excitement , and slow tempo with solemnity, lyricism, or calmness.

Presto

very fast

Grave

very slow, solemn

Duple meter

when a measure has 2 beats, count 1-2,1-2,ect