Rhythm Flashcards
What is a push rhythm?
A type of syncopation where the notes are played and tied just before the first beat of the bar, giving the effect of pushing the music along.
Almost like they are played a little earlier than expected.
Many examples in Defying Gravity eg bars 51 and 52 on words “try” and “defy2
How do you play rubato?
Using tiny fluctuations in tempo for expressive effect.
eg first 3 bars of Samba Em Preludio
What is a triplet?
Three notes played in the same time as two. Notated by a small 3 above the three notes (often with a bracket).
eg Lots in Beethoven and Star Wards
What is a swing/swung rhythm?
Where pairs of notes are played, where the first note is longer than the second note.
Typically in Jazz and Blues
The rhythm in Release is slightly swung
What is an anacrusis?
The “upbeat”. i.e where music doesn’t begin on the first beat of the bar.
Often referred to as a “pick-up” in jazz and pop music.
In Killer Queen, the first phrase begins before the strong accented down beat eg “She keeps a” and “moet et chandon”
What is compound time?
Where the main beat (pulse) is a dotted note, so it can be divided into 3 equal shorter notes.
Examples include time-signatures 3/8, 6/8, 9/8 and 12/8.
Number of beats in the bar determined by how many dotted notes there are (not the 3 smaller ones), so 6/8 has 2 beats (two dotted crotchets) and 9/8 3 beats (3 dotted crotchets)
ie the top note divided by 3 will give the number of beats to the bar.
What is a riff?
Similar to an ostinato, a riff is a short, catchy repeating pattern of music.
Usually used in in pop and rock music.
eg the repeating loops in the Release.
What is a walking base line?
A melodic bass line with identical note values (mainly crotchets and quavers) that create a steady tread as if walking.
eg. Music for a While bass line - all quavers until end.
What is a cross rhythm?
Where two rhythmic patterns occur at the same time that conflict with each other
eg triplet quavers at same time as semi-quavers
eg. feature a lot in Samba Em Preludio
What is meant by free time?
The pulse is largely free and not rigidly set
eg Recitative sections in Defying Gravity, indicated by “Colla Voce” on the score meaning “with the voice”. It indicates the soloist will play around with the rhythm as the feel it should go
What is Simple time?
Where the main beat can be divided into two equal shorter notes.
eg. Time signatures like 2/4, 3/4 and 4/4
Unlike Compound Time, the beats to the bar are determined by the top number of the time signature.
eg Beethoven
What are dotted rhythms?
Rhythms that contained notes with dots. The dot increases the note’s length (by half again) so you get a longer note followed by a shorted one.
It gives a syncopated feel.
eg Lots in Beethoven.
What does syncopation mean?
Notes (often quite accented) that appear off the beat or against the beat.
eg Music for a While, the words “drop” in bars 23-25 are sung in between / off the beat
