Session 3 - Rhythm 2

build on first 2 sessions

expand our timing & tempo capabilities

mix timing with pitch for the first time

write our first “original” piece

“ OK, let’s go....

April 10, 2023 - 1

Session 3 “Rhythm 2”

1BAR

crabby comments to assist, confuse or distract....

building block approach

learning bites

discuss

apply (test where appropriate)

review

reinforce

1BAR

Get comfortable with a concept, then move on…. April 10, 2023 - 2

The Process

Semibreve (an egg) = 4 beats (a whole note)

1BAR

We now learn another name for each note type… April 10, 2023 - 3

Note Duration (Again!)

Minim (egg on a stick) = 2 beats (a half note)

Crotchet (black egg on a stick) = 1 beat (a quarter note)

Quaver ( black egg on a stick & 1 flag) = 1 beat (an eighth note)

1BAR

Rests are more important than played notes in solos...April 10, 2023 - 4

Rests (Again!)

musical silences also have defined durations, called “Rests”, the symbols below match up “Rests” with the 4 note types previously introduced, understood & befriended….

Semibreve rest = 4 beats

Play Symbol Rest Symbol

Minim = 2 beats

Crotchet = 1 beat

Quaver = 1/2 beat

some music will use notes longer or shorter than the 4 notes covered so far

some notes will be longer than just 1 bar

some music will speed up or slow down

some music will change Time Signature from 4/4 to ¾ etc – how many beats in each bar will change also

some music will have parts that have no notes, i.e. silences or “rests”

1BAR

All will be revealed in good time..... April 10, 2023 - 5

Advanced Topics

• part of the “quaver family” - these are half the value of a quaver

• similar to a quaver but have 2 flags on the stem

1BAR

Sixteenths & eighth notes are very common in jazz…

April 10, 2023 - 6

Semi Quavers

• have a value of a quarter of a beat

• are also known as “sixteenths”

• the semiquaver “rest” is similar to a quaver rest but has 2 flags also

• part of the “quaver family” - these are half the value of a quaver

• similar to a quaver but have 2 flags on the stem

1BAR

Sixteenths & eighth notes are very common in jazz…

April 10, 2023 - 7

Rhythm Exercise 5

• have a value of a quarter of a beat

• are also known as “sixteenths”

• the semiquaver “rest” is similar to a quaver rest but has 2 flags also

• some music will need to speed up

• some music will need to slow down

• some music will need to stop for a significant time!

• most music stays at the same tempo

• changes in tempo is a planned strategy to change the dynamics (impact) of a piece

1BAR

Sometimes the only strategy a drummer has... April 10, 2023 - 8

Changes in Tempo

• Accelerando (accel.) – gradually play faster & faster

• Stringendo – quickly play faster

• Doppio Movimemto – play phrase twice as fast

• Ritardano (rit., rall) - gradually play slower & slower

• Calendo – play slower as well as softer

• A tempo – written at the end of a musical phrase in which the tempo has been changed, this means return to the original tempo of the piece

1BAR

Do you understando this? April 10, 2023 - 9

More Italian Terms

• part of the “quaver family” - these are half the value of a quaver

• similar to a quaver but have 2 flags on the stem

1BAR

Sixteenths & eighth notes are very common in jazz…

April 10, 2023 - 10

Rhythm Exercise 6

• have a value of a quarter of a beat

• are also known as “sixteenths”

• the semiquaver “rest” is similar to a quaver rest but has 2 flags also

1BAR

Even the semiquaver can be tied… April 10, 2023 - 11

Tied Notes

often we need to hold a note for a period that crosses over into the next bar (or even over more than 2 bars)

we may also need to join the value of 2 or more notes within a bar

this is displayed by using a “slur” line to join the 2 notes

• part of the “quaver family” - these are half the value of a quaver

• similar to a quaver but have 2 flags on the stem

1BAR

Sixteenths & eighth notes are very common in jazz…

April 10, 2023 - 12

Rhythm Exercise 7

• have a value of a quarter of a beat

• are also known as “sixteenths”

• the semiquaver “rest” is similar to a quaver rest but has 2 flags also

1BAR

Even the semiquaver can be tied… April 10, 2023 - 13

Beams

often we need to hold a note for a period that crosses over into the next bar (or even over more than 2 bars)

we may also need to join the value of 2 or more notes within a bar

this is displayed by using a “slur” line to join the 2 notes

• part of the “quaver family” - these are half the value of a quaver

• similar to a quaver but have 2 flags on the stem

1BAR

Sixteenths & eighth notes are very common in jazz…

April 10, 2023 - 14

Rhythm Exercise 8

• have a value of a quarter of a beat

• are also known as “sixteenths”

• the semiquaver “rest” is similar to a quaver rest but has 2 flags also

1BAR

But how do we shut up the lead guitarist!!! April 10, 2023 - 15

Dotted Notes

Quaver = 1/2 beat

Classy walking stick starting on second line of Staff

Has one “handle” to match single “flag” hanging from the quaver For Guitar music particularly, the letters N.C. above a piece of music can be used to indicate that “No Chord” is to be played until the next chord name appears

• part of the “quaver family” - these are half the value of a quaver

• similar to a quaver but have 2 flags on the stem

1BAR

Sixteenths & eighth notes are very common in jazz…

April 10, 2023 - 16

Rhythm Exercise 9

• have a value of a quarter of a beat

• are also known as “sixteenths”

• the semiquaver “rest” is similar to a quaver rest but has 2 flags also

1. listen to the sample piece

2. listen again & tap/ sing /moan (or d nothing when you see a Rest symbol) etc to the timing of each note

3. repeat until you are confident you can understand & follow the timing of the exercise

1BAR

Do you need a rest now? April 10, 2023 - 17

Triplets

• part of the “quaver family” - these are half the value of a quaver

• similar to a quaver but have 2 flags on the stem

1BAR

Sixteenths & eighth notes are very common in jazz…

April 10, 2023 - 18

Rhythm Exercise 10

• have a value of a quarter of a beat

• are also known as “sixteenths”

• the semiquaver “rest” is similar to a quaver rest but has 2 flags also

1BAR

Click on the crab to hear a 4 beat (semibreve) rest…..

April 10, 2023 - 19

Time Signatures

musical silences also have defined durations, called “Rests”, the symbols below match up “Rests” with the 4 note types previously introduced, understood & befriended….

Semibreve = 4 beats

black brick hanging “below” the fourth line of the Staff.