1. Rhythm Review & Syncopation
HS – Spring 2017

2. Definitions Beat/Pulse
Beat/Pulse
The steady pulse in a song; basic unit of rhythm.
Rhythm
The timing of the notes that are played in music.
Meter/Time Signature:
The pattern of strong and weak beats; the number of beats in each measure of a song.

3. Basic Rhythm Notes Multi-beat Notes 1-beat Notes Divided-beat Notes
1-beat Notes
Divided-beat Notes
Subdivided-beat Notes
1 E A E A E A E A

4. Practice

5. Syncopation

6. Syncopation Example Intro: Verse 1:
Intro:
Verse 1:

7. Definitions
Tie: A curved line that combines two notes into a longer one. Syncopation Temporary shift of notes to “off-beat” in a song.
1 2
3 4 1
+ 2
+ 3

8. Syncopation Practice

9. Ostinatos & Rhythmic Motives

10. Examples
Ostinato Example: Holst: The Planets, “Mars, Bringer of War” Rhythmic Motive Example: Beethoven: 5th Symphony, Movement 1

11. Definitions
Ostinato: A rhythm that repeats verbatim over and over in the background of a song. (another example, and one more) Rhythmic Motive A short rhythm that is frequently used in the melody of a song. It is modified over the course of the piece. (another example, and “Happy Birthday to You”)