Chapter 4 Section 1

Quote “As a species, we love to play with rhythm. We deal with it every second of our lives, right to the end.” - Mickey Hart Percussionist (b.1943)

Time in Music Beat- steady recurring pulse Rhythm- the way music paces itself and moves through time. Accent- emphasis placed on a musical sound Meter- aural aspect of music in which a certain number of beats are grouped together This either refers to either two(duple) or three (triple) beats. Usually the first beat is accented. This helps to establish the meter.

Time in Music When we group these beats together in groupings, they are called measures. Measure- the division of beats into defined groups separated by a bar line. Listen to “Melodies of Love” and determine what is the meter. Listen for accent. CD 3 #12 Watch a dancing with the Stars video using these times and beats.

Coordination in Music Have you ever tried rubbing your stomach with one hand while patting your head with the other? This is called coordination and musicians use this all the time. Pianists for example may play one complex rhythm with one hand the something simple in the other. A drummer playing a trap set often uses both hands and both feet to perform four different rhythms.

Coordination in listening Listen to “I heard it through the grapevine” CD 2 #4 Try to use your right foot and play Whole note. Then with left hand snap quarter notes. Then with right hand, pat eighth notes.

Chapter 4 Section 2

Metrical Patterns and Melodic Rhythms Throughout the ages, mathematicians have sought out patterns of numbers. This is because we humans are drawn to patterns and find their regularity or repetition comforting. The same is true for musicians and the music they create or play.

Mixing Meters Composers sometimes mix meters to create an interesting rhythmic organization in their music. Sometimes two music categories merge. You can see this in the recordings of Russian classical composer Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Many of his pieces, which employ mixed meters, draw on the traditional music of his Eastern European homeland.

Recording As you listen to “Procession of the Nobles,” clap on the accented beat and snap your fingers on the others. CD 3 #13 “Procession of the Nobles” Listen again to determine the order of meters in this music. Which of the following correctly reflects the order? A. duple/triple/duple C. triple/triple/duple B. triple/duple/triple D. duple/duple/triple

Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov

Melodic Rhythm Sometimes, the rhythm pattern of a compositions melody is so distinctive that you can “hear” the melody just by clapping it. Let’s try to clap “Happy Birthday.” Do not sing the song, just clap. Notice that you can sense the melody without the additional element of pitch.

Melodic Rhythm Ludwig van Beethoven used a simple melodic rhythm for the opening section of the Second Movement of his Symphony No. 7 Practice tapping the rhythm pattern in the opening section (Section A.) CD 3 # 14

Ludwig van Beethoven He was one the world’s greatest composers. Born in Bonn, Germany 1770-1827 Despite his families poverty, his father began teaching him music at age four. His compositions are generally divided into 3 distinct style periods. First, the early period composed when he first started realizing his loss of hearing. Second, the middle period where he wrote the famous Fifth Symphony. Third, when he was totally deaf. He finished the Ninth Symphony and when the first concert was over, one of the performers had to tug on his sleeve to let him know that it was over.