Beat, Accent,

and Tempo

Chapter Three

•Rhythm

•Melody (pitch)

•Harmony

(chords)

•Sound (timbre)

•Shape (form)

Elements of Music

Rhythm

The motion of music through Time

The combination of long and short sounds

•A regular pulse used to measure time•The beat is usually sounded by percussion or low pitched instruments or voices; however, the beat is still there even when it is not sounded. (But remember, not all music has a beat.)

Steady Beat Unsteady Beat

Beat

Slow—Largo 80mm

Medium—Andante 100mm

Fast—Allegro 120mm

How to talk about beats

Tempo--the speed of the beat measured in beats per minute.

(“mm” means “metronome marking” which equals “beats per minute”)

Tempo

Regular tempo with beat

Radetzky MarchJohann Strauss Jr

Tempo

Irregular tempo, no beat

Quem Quaeritis- Resurrexi

Tempo

Gradual Increase = Accelerando Gradual Decrease = Ritardondo

Edvard Grieg In the Hall of the Mountain King

(Also example of crescendo)

Accent

An accent is an emphasized beat either by playing notes on a beat

louder or by putting notes off the beat Syncopation- Accenting normally

unaccented beats or notes that are off the beat.

No Syncopation

Syncopation

Swing Rhythm

Swing is a form of syncopation.

Duke Ellington

--Searchin’

Powwow--A gathering of members of the numerous Native American tribes for singing, dancing, competition, and community.

Powwow

The Drum- circle of singers and drummers

•Drum Keeper•Drum Warmer•Lead Singer

Vocables- syllables without linguistic meaning

Honor Beats- accented beats to honor the Creator and the warriors

Powwow Music

•Gourd Dance--informal social dances

•Grand Entry--beginning of formal dances

•Flag Song--honoring the American flag

Typical Powwow

•The Blessing- a prayer for the powwow

•Memorial Prayer Song--for recently departed tribal members

•Round Dances and Intertribal Dances--dances for large groups such as War Dance

Typical Powwow

•Competition Dances--competition for solo dancers

•The Giveaway-- gifts are given to the participants or individuals in need of assistance

Typical Powwow

Ceremonial Music-- The Grand Entry

Order of Entrants Honor Guard

(Dignitaries) Head Male Dancers Head Female Dancers Tribal Princesses Honored Guests

•Songs and Singers•The Drum•Players•The Head Singer

•Song Structure •Leader•2nd Voice•Honor Beats (3)•2nd Chorus•Structure Repeated 4 or 5 times