Meter: Counting Systems and Metric Hierarchy

Question 1

big idea

Answer 1

• count rhythms in simple meter

Question 2

what to know when counting rhythms

Answer 2

• use the knowledge of what numbers in the time signature tells you
• the top number is ‘how many’ to count and the bottom number is the note value you are counting
• every measure must be complete for sound or silenece
• sometimes there will be a anacrusis or “pickup” beats
• beaming is used to show groupings of notes that make it easier to read the music in accordance to the time signature
• meter implies metric hierarchy

Question 3

counting systems

Answer 3

• subdivisions make the counting interesting
• when the beat is divided into 2 - 1 * E * And * Ah
• a combination of these counts can occur and create interesting rhythms
• there are other systems
• Du Ta De Ta
• Ta Ka Di Mi
• the system you use is not important, just that you are consistent with whichever one that you are using

Question 4

can bar lines be heard during a performance?

Answer 4

• no

Question 5

what type of music created a need for notation system?

Answer 5

• vocal music

Question 6

the rhythm used for an anacrusis is taken from the final measure, making it an incomplete measure

Answer 6

• true

Question 7

why are some rhythms beamed while others are not

Answer 7

• to assist in identifying the beat unit

Question 8

since meters are hierarchical, which set of 2 beats are considered strong in common time?

Answer 8

• beats 1 & 3