Instructions and Grading
This short essay assignment is designed to help cultiv
Instructions and Grading
This short essay assignment is designed to help cultivate your listening skills as well as your writing skills. Include at least one paragraph for each of the two song selections. Address one song at a time.
You will be graded on your understanding of rhythm and the depth of your answers through thoughtfully expressed paragraphs. An example is available in the Week 2 Content Folder.
Please note that assignments change from class to class. Song selections may vary from what is discussed in the lecture video.
Submit to iLearn as a document, NOT in the comment section of the assignment.
Up to 10% will be deducted for poor grammar. Another 10% will be deducted for poor formatting and organization.
Please submit this assignment with the following information at the top of the document:
YOUR NAME
DATE
MUSC 130 – B25
ELEMENTS OF MUSIC: RHYTHM
Helpful Terminology
Beat/Pulse The “heartbeat” of a musical work, the pulse of a rhythmic sequence. The beat is usually steady and clear enough for one to bob their head along.
Rhythm A string of note values that produce a rhythmic sequence. This may be predictable and even, unpredictable and chaotic, or somewhere in between.
Tempo How fast or slow the pulse of a song is. This can be specified by BPM, or beats-per-minute, and tempo markings such as andante, grave, happily, relaxed, and a plethora more.
Arrangement Specific instrumentation (what instruments are used), tempo, solos, key signatures, etc chosen to create a song. An arrangement can be original or a cover. In this course, “arrangement” mostly refers to what instruments and/or voices (soprano, alto, tenor, or bass) are used.
A cappella A style of music that is produced using only voices. Sometimes a group is so skilled it can sound like instruments are being used, like drums, guitar, keyboard, or more. But the unique quality about a cappella music is that everything you hear is being done with the voice.
Assignment Questions
1. Listening for the Beat
What is your impression of the beat? You might describe the beat as steady or very free, or that the tempo is speeding up or slowing down.
2. Listening for Rhythm
How complex is the rhythm? What are some indicators of your answer? Use time-stamps for specificity.
Some ways of determining rhythmic complexity are:
• Identifying if the rhythm is repetitive and predictable. This is typically not a very complex rhythm and you will be able to follow along pretty easily
• Identifying if the rhythm is unpredictable. This typically indicates that it’s a more complex, irregular rhythm.
• Listening for active (short) notes versus inactive (longer, sustained) notes.
3. Rhythm within Instrumentation and Voices
Listen for the arrangement of the selections. Perhaps it’s a cappella, perhaps an instrumentation, or solo, etc. Within the arrangement, do the different parts move together or separately in terms of rhythm? Which parts are more active rhythmically than the other parts? Does it change throughout?
Back-up your answer using time-stamps.
4. Your Impression of the Music
Now, rather than focusing on just one element – rhythm – return to listening to the piece as a whole. What is your impression of the selection you are hearing? Since you may be hearing this type of music for the first time, approach your listening with an open mind.
Listening Examples
Important note: Assignment songs change from bi-term to bi-term and may not be the same as what is mentioned in the lecture video. Be sure to use the songs given below!
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” by VoicePlay
Duration: 4:41
The best Beatboxer Ever – Father VS Daughter
Duration: 3:38
Artists: Ed Cage and Nicole Paris