RHYTHM

Rhythm is one of the 4 Elements of Music.

1. RHYTHM

2. MELODY

3. HARMONY

4. TIMBRE.

Ask students if they can name them. There's only 4, so any answer other than the 4 listed above can't be in the list. There's only 4.

Rhythm is that pulse you feel when you hear, or think, about music.

In Pop music the rhythm is very repetitive.

Student/group discussion

Rhythms are everywhere.

• Identify examples you encounter during your day.

• When you hear a rhythm is there any particular beat that has more weight than the others? Listen to examples.

“Take Five” (5/4)

“Bring in the Clowns” (3/4)

“Les Prelude” (12/8)

“Water Music” (4/4)

• When you listen to music can you identify that strong beat?

• Can you identify the patterns that the rhythms create?

The reality in popular music is that nearly ALL the music you hear has the same TIME SIGNATURE. 4/4. i.e. 4 quarter note beats. The first (DOWNBEAT) is the strongest. The RHYTHM can be complex, the GENRE (style) can vary, but if the beat is counted one, two, three, four- it's a 4/4 RHYTHM. The teacher should challenge the unbelieving students to find a pop song that isn't 4/4 to inform the class the next time you meet and win a prize.

Start counting from that STRONG beat to name the TIME SIGNATURE.

TIME SIGNATURE A sign we can read that helps understanding how the music is organized. 2 numbers, one on top of the other. The top number is how many, the bottom is what kind.