Overview
In this module, we will explore how rhythm is organized in a piece of music, listen to some examples of simple meter, and practice clapping and/or tapping various rhythmic examples.
Objectives
By the end of this module you should be able to:
- Identify the time signature based on a given rhythm within a measure
- Perform various simple meter rhythms, including eighth notes and dotted quarters
Key Terms
- Beat
- The steady, recurring pulse in music that you tap your foot to.
- Measure (also called a Bar)
- A segment of music containing a set number of beats, as defined by the time signature.
- Barline
- The vertical line on the staff that separates one measure from the next.
- Meter
- The organized pattern of strong and weak beats, grouped into repeating units (measures).
- Downbeat
- The first (and usually strongest) beat of a measure.
- Duple meter
- A meter where beats are grouped in twos (strong–weak), like 2/4 or 2/2.
- Triple meter
- A meter where beats are grouped in threes (strong–weak–weak), like 3/4.
- Quadruple meter
- A meter where beats are grouped in fours (strong–weak–medium–weak), like 4/4.
- Time signature
- The symbol at the beginning of a piece that shows how many beats are in each measure (top number) and what kind of note gets one beat (bottom number).