Beat, metyer and rhythm are integral components of time in music. Understanding them enables one to determine the function of time in music. In this discussion, we will examine beat and its relationship to rhythm, plus meter in this topic. Be sure you understand the definitions of, beat, meter,and rhyuthm and their differences as you read this section We will discuss rhythm in moire detail in the following topic :.Again be sure you can distinguish betwee beat, meter and rhythm.
Also check the very .last part of this section which discusses Syncopation. There are quiestions in W#2 and Test 2 relating to Syncopation
Time in Music Pp View this Power point review on time in music (Cluick on the link)
Music cannot happen without time. The performance of pitches and sounds in terms time (or their length or duration) constitutes rhythm of a piece of music. Most of the time rhythm can be measured in terms of a steady beat. In some pieces – such as Gregorian chant – the rhythm is simply a “placement in time” where notes are longer and shorter relative to each other but cannot be measured in terms of specific beats or meters. This latter situation will not concern us in our study here.
Meter
Simple Meters
Try this Rhythmical Exercise below for more understanding of beat vs meter
Step 1 – Beat (Feel and tap the beat): Tap your foot to the measures only on the musical staff of lines and spaces below. Note the time signature is 4/4. You can see the vertical lines on the staff dividing the line into four measures or bars – each receiving 4 beats. The total number of beats is 16: 4 (measures) times 4 (beats per each measure) equals 16 beats. Follow each measure as you tap your foot but only tap the beats (four in each measure) not the notes
Step 2 Rhythm (Clap the rhythm) . Once you become comfortable tapping your foot – following the measures you are ready to clap your hands to the notes. Follow steps a-d
a. In the first measure you have one whole note which receives all four beats. Therefore you will be clapping once for that measure even though you will tap four beats This note is four beats long.
b. For the second measure you will clap twice for each note (or clap). Each note receives two taps with the foot. In other words Each notes is two beats long.
c. Third measure – Note there are four (quarter) notes in the third measure. So you would clap for each note. In this case your are also clapping on each beat as each note is one beat long.
d. There are 8 notes in the fourth measure. Here you will clap twice on each beat. Each note is 1/2 beat long. (8 x .5 (beats) = 4 beats total).
Note Durations
This above exercise should give a basic understanding of rhythm and the difference between rhythm and beat and meter. These three elements (beat, meter, and rhythm) each involving an aspect of time are related and dependent upon each other but each element has its individual meaning and function.
Beat, and rhythm are integral components of time in music. Understanding them enables one to determine the function of time in music. In this discussion, we will examine beat and its relationship to rhythm, plus meter in this topic. We will discuss rhythm in moire detail in the following topic :
Let us see and feel the difference between beat (steady pulse) and rhythm. The exercises below demonstrate the concept of the two elements – beat (even pulse or unit of measure) and rhythm – duration of musical notes)
This first example demonstrates (1) quarter notes – one quarter note to a beat and (2) eighth notes (two eighth notes to a beat). Count them along with the narrator – tapping your foot with the beat.
If you are unable to play this video “search”: Baugh Counting Rhythm Video – Orange in your browser outside of the course.. You will see the image below at the top left side of the page. You will be able to access there.
This link will show quarter and eighth notes with rests:|
Again – the above exercises give the concept of the two elements – beat and rhythm
Beat:
A beat is a pulse (think of heart beat) that we feel as we listen to music. It is
Syncopation (off beats):
Syncopation defines rhythm patterns in which accenmted notes occur “off the beat”. The result is :unexpected” as the emphasis is not on the beat but off th beat. Sncopation is a r “a disturbance or interruption of the regular flow of rhythm”: or a “placement of rhythmic stresses or accents where they would not normally occur.”
Listen: Syncopation:
In this example you will hear syncopation — notes that are played “off the beat.”
You can try to cl;ap on the strong best (four to each measure) but do not be concerned if you have difficulty with this. It could take some practice
Syncopation – notes which emphasize weak beats or offbeats – may be heard in the video below: Scott Joplin’s “Rags.” Listen to the first one and note the syncopated melody in the right hand melody while the left hand (lower part) maintains a steady beat and tempo. You should be able to beat your foot and keep time here. Try it!
Syncopation: Listen for syncopation in phrase 2 of the selection above. Note that syncopation does not occur in phrases 1 and 3
Phrase 1: 0:0″ – 0′ 31. phrase 2: 0’32” – 0’57”, phrase 3:(partial phrase) 0’58’ – 1’11” .
Phrases 1 and 3, note do not have syncopation. The emphasis notes of the melody occur on the beat..
However note that In phrases 2, the notes in melody (in the violin) occur between the beats (on the “off” beats). This emphaises on the”off beats is called syncopation. Contrast this with the the accompaniment in the orchestra in phrase 2. Chords (light) are played evenly on strong beats. (Tap your foot to feel this comparison.), one can feel the emphasis of the melody occuring between these chords ( which occur on the beat) in phrase 2 hense – syncopation. See if you can determine this. .
Need more understanding of Syncopation? Check this video. You may have to paste in a new browser window.” https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?fr=yhs-sz-001&hsimp=yhs-001&hspart=sz&p=syncopation+in+music#action=view&id=1&vid=2e4a99f0d5b96831582f5c34eac64312