Thus far, we have seen that pitch can be shown by placing a note on a staff. The duration of a note can be shown by using the various notational symbols. RHYTHM can be achieved by placing various patterns of duration together over time. The organization of patterns of duration in music is the element called RHYTHM.
The basic rhythmic pulse in music is called the BEAT. We have seen how the pulse or BEAT can be a dotted value or an undotted value. Some BEATS are stressed more than others. Patterns of stressed (accented) and unstressed (unaccented) BEATS are created in music. Such patterns are categorized as meters. Although meter signatures is a subject for the next chapter, we can speak about the categories of meters.
Stressed beats are strong. Unstressed beats are weak. Meter is the result of strong and weak beats. The most common pattern is one of alternating strong and weak beats - a two beat pattern. An example of this is shown below:
The two beat pattern is also known as DUPLE METER. Each measure in DUPLE METER consists of two beats, the first of which is stronger than the second. CLICK THE PLAY BUTTON on the control bar to hear an example of DUPLE METER.
A second very common pattern is on with strong beat followed by two weak beats - a three beat pattern. An example of a three beat pattern is shown below:
The three beat pattern is also known as TRIPLE METER. Each measure in TRIPLE METER consists of three beats, the first of which is stronger than the others. CLICK THE PLAY BUTTON on the control bar to hear an example of TRIPLE METER.
