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Learning Objectives

At the end of this class, you should be able to:

  • Define the musical concept of rhythm.
  • Identify by tapping and verbalizing the beat (or pulse) of a piece of music.
  • Identify the musical element of tempo given a series of music examples.
  • Explain the basic relationship between rhythm and the human body.
  • Identify and discuss the role that silence plays in rhythm.
  • Define the following musical terms: adagio, allegro, andante, beat, largo, moderato, movement, presto, rhythm, tempo, and vivace.

Key Points

  • Rhythm is the organization of sound in time. Earlier, we learned that every tone has duration. It begins, exists for some period of time, and then ends. A basic component of rhythm is pulse (or beat).
  • A great deal of the world’s music has a pulse. Pulse is what enables us to march, dance, or just tap a finger to music. Try tapping to the pulse in this excerpt.
  • In some pieces, the pulse is strong and quite obvious. In others, it is weak and may require very focused listening to detect. The two musical examples that illustrate musical pulses of different strengths are Aida: Act II: Triumphal March by Giuseppe Verdi and Adagio for Strings, Op. 11 by Samuel Barber. The pulse in the Barber example is weak, whereas the pulse in the Verdi example is strong.
  • The pulse in music may move at different rates, creating what we describe in music as tempo.

Listening List

Composer: George Frideric Handel

  • "Water Music Suite No. 2 in D Major, HWV 349: II. Alla Hornpipe"

Composer: Samuel Barber

  • "Adagio for Strings, Op. 11"

Composer: Giuseppe Verdi

  • "Aida: Act II: Triumphal March"

Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach

  • "Overture (Suite) No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068 (arr. L. Rose for cello and piano): Suite No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068: Air (trans. L. Rose)"

Composer: Frédéric Chopin

  • "Waltzes, Op. 64: Waltz No. 7 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 64, Op. 2"

Self Check

At the end of each class, you will have an opportunity to check your knowledge. Please take it as many times as you need to as this will help you prepare for the Section Quiz and the Final Exam.