Area of Study 01: Rhythm and Metre

Area of Study 01:Rhythm and MetreAQA GCSE Music

Areas of StudyAoS 01: Rhythm and MetreAoS 02: Harmony and TonalityA0S 03: Texture and MelodyAoS 04: Dynamics and TimbreAoS 05: Structure and FormRhythm and MetreThis is all about beats, timing and sound patternsMetre This is a regular pattern of beats in every bar, indicated by a time signature

Rhythm is the way different lengths of sound are combined to produce patterns in time.Rhythm - Back to Basics

= 1 beatCrotchet= 2 beatsMinimSemibreveQuaver= 4 beats= beator2 Quavers

Dotted NotesAdds half as much again to the length of the note

Crotchet= 1 beatDotted Crotchet= 1 beats

= 2 beatsMinim= 3 beatsDotted MinimAdd a DotAdd a DotTime SignaturesThis shows us how many beats there are in a bar

TOP NUMBER tells you how many beats there are in a barBOTTOM NUMBER tells you how long each beat is worth

Time Signatures The bottom number223468A 2 at the bottom means each beat is worth 1 minimA 4 at the bottom means each beat is worth 1 crotchetAn 8 at the bottom means each beat is worth 1 quaver

Time Signatures cont.

4 xBeats every barMain beat of the bar

Simple TimeExamples of Simple Time Signatures are;2 types of Time Signature244434Compound TimeCompound time signature have 6, 9 or 12 as their top number6/8 Time signature has a feeling of 2 & 3Music in these time signatures feel as though they have a main beat, which divide into 3.2 types of Time Signature

Main BeatMain BeatMain BeatMain BeatMain BeatRegular and IrregularRegular Time Signatures are when the beats in a bar can be grouped e.g.2/4, 6/8 (2 beats per bar) DUPLE3/4, 9/8 (3 beats per bar) TRIPLE4/4, 12/8 (4 beats per bar) QUADRUPLEIrregular Time Signatures are when the beats can not be grouped as abovee.g 5/4 5 beats in a bar would have to be grouped as a 2 and 3Listen to the Example:The Time Signature is 5/4. It sounds like there is one group of 3 then one group of 2 (irregular)

Track 02What is the time signature? (Q1)The piece is in 4/4 time how many bars introduction is there? (Q16)Which rhythm matches the bass drum rhythm? (Q27)(ii)

(iii)(iv)

Listening Tests

SyncopationA stress on a normaly un-stressed note gives an off beat feel.Often in jazz and pop music.

Rhythmic DeviceListen to the Example:The guitar riff is syncopatedSyncopation 2Syncopation can be added purely through the use of accents on the weaker beat of the bar.

Star Wars

HemiolaA Hemiola rhythm has a three against two feel.For example, in this 3/4 rhythm there is a hemiola in the last two bars, giving the impression of three minim beats in the two bars of 3/4 time.

HemiolaRhythmic DeviceWhat is the time signature? (Q2)What is the time signature? (Q17)Listen to Stevie Wonders version of Blowin in the wind and comment on rhythm & Metre. (Q24)

Listening Tests - 2AugmentationThis is where a melody or series of notes is repeated using notes of a longer duration.For example, a melody with the rhythm of:Rhythmic Device

OriginalAugmentationNotes are doubled in lengthDiminutionThis is the opposite to Augmentation.The rhythm of the melody is half the length

OriginalDiminutionRhythmic DevicePolyrhythmsWhen two or more rhythms are played at the same time.The rhythms may have accents in different places, but still feel as though they fit together.Lots of African music is polyrhythmic

Look at the example on the next slide.Rhythmic DeviceBi-RhythmsTime signatures can be split up into different patterns of beats.E.g. 3/4 can be divided into 3 groups of two quavers or 2 groups of three quavers

0102Rhythmic DeviceWhat is the time signature? (Q13)

12/89/8 4/42/4

Name the rhythmic device heard in the melody (Q28)

On which beats of the bar does the rhythm guitar play? (Q29)

Listening Tests - 3

TempoTempo simply refers to the speed of the music

It can measured in 'beats per minute (bpm)E.g.

Tempo: = 120

The speed can also be indicated by an Italian word120 crotchet beats every minuteTempo Italian wordsPresto = Very fastVivace = Fast and livelyAllegro = Fast, quickly and brightModerato = ModeratelyAndante = Walking paceAdagio = SlowLargo = Very Slow

RubatoIf this is written in the music, the performer is able to make changes to the tempo.In response to the way the music makes them feel, the performer may want to slow down or speed up.It indicates there is no strict tempoWhat is the time signature? (Q11)

12/89/8 4/42/4

What is the note value of the tambourines rhythm?(Q29)

Crotchetminimquaversemiquaver

Which tempo marking best suits this melody? (Q9)

Allegro Poco AdagioRhubatoVivace

Listening Tests - 4City LightsCrossfireThrough The Eye Of Illusion, track 32008Other212858.67