Rhythm and Beat Values Study Guide
Definitions
• Measure: The distance between two bar lines.• Bar Line: Divides music into measures• Double Bar Line: Tells the music is over.• Double Bar Line and two dots: Repeat Sign.• DS AL FINE: Da Segne Al Fine Go back to the
segne sign and sing to the fine sign.• Time Signature: Top number tells how many beats in a
measure. Bottom number tells which note gets the beat.
• Dots: Adds half of the preceeding beat value.• Ties Joins two notes.
Math is Music Alive Copyright Rachael Lewis 2013
Rhythm, Beat, and MeterUnderstanding Meter through Hearts
METER IS GROUPING BEATS INTO STRONG AND WEAK PULSES
1 2 3 4
Meter in Music is
also Called “Time
Signature”
Math is Music Alive Copyright Rachael Lewis 2013
Rhythm, Beat, and MeterUnderstanding Meter through Hearts
1 2 3 4THE METER SIGN COMES
AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MUSIC, AND ANY TIME THE METER CHANGES.
Math is Music Alive Copyright Rachael Lewis 2013
Rhythm, Beat, and MeterUnderstanding Meter through Hearts
1 2 3 4THE TOP NUMBER IN THE TIME SIGNATURE TELLS
HOW MANY BEATS ARE IN EACH GROUP.
44 Time
Math is Music Alive Copyright Rachael Lewis 2013
Rhythm, Beat, and MeterUnderstanding Meter through Hearts
1 2 3 4
TIME SIGNATURES WITH 4 BEATS
44
48
416
432
42
Math is Music Alive Copyright Rachael Lewis 2013
Rhythm, Beat, and MeterUnderstanding Meter through Hearts
THE BOTTOM NUMBER TELL WHICH NOTE IS THE BEAT!
14
18
116
12hq e x
Math is Music Alive Copyright Rachael Lewis 2013
Rhythm, Beat, and MeterTime Signature Flash Cards
q q qq44
This is often called Common Time or “C”
Math is Music Alive Copyright Rachael Lewis 2013
Rhythm, Beat, and MeterTime Signature Flash Cards
q q q34
This is “waltz time.”
Math is Music Alive Copyright Rachael Lewis 2013
Rhythm, Beat, and MeterTime Signature Flash Cards
q q24
This is “march time.”
Math is Music Alive Copyright Rachael Lewis 2013
Rhythm, Beat, and MeterTime Signature Flash Cards
38eee
Math is Music Alive Copyright Rachael Lewis 2013
Rhythm, Beat, and MeterTime Signature Flash Cards
68eee eee
6-8, 9-8, and 12-8 are “compound meters.”
They can be sub-grouped, or simplified.
Math is Music Alive Copyright Rachael Lewis 2013
Rhythm, Beat, and MeterTime Signature Flash Cards
98eee e ee
6-8, 9-8, and 12-8 are “compound meters.”
They can be sub-grouped, or simplified.
e ee
Math is Music Alive Copyright Rachael Lewis 2013
Rhythm, Beat, and MeterTime Signature Flash Cards
128eee e ee
6-8, 9-8, and 12-8 are “compound meters.”
They can be sub-grouped, or simplified.
e eee e e
Math is Music Alive Copyright Rachael Lewis 2013
Rhythm, Beat, and MeterBeat Values
Special Note on Understanding Beat Values
Beat values can be hard to understand.
The names of the rhythm notes are based on their fractional relationship
To the whole note, but beat values are based on the fractional relationship to the beat. This can be confusing for many students.
Math is Music Alive Copyright Rachael Lewis 2013
Rhythm, Beat, and Meter
w h q ex
Whole Note
Half Note
Quarter Note
Eighth Note
Sixteenth Note
Beat Values based on 4-4 Meter.
Beat Values
1
2
4
1/21/4
Math is Music Alive Copyright Rachael Lewis 2013
Rhythm, Beat, and MeterSpecial Rhythm Symbols
DOTS Dots extend the life of a note.Dots add ½ of the preceeding note value.
h= h.=
Math is Music Alive Copyright Rachael Lewis 2013
Rhythm, Beat, and MeterSpecial Rhythm Symbols
DOTS
h=h.=
=w=w .
Math is Music Alive Copyright Rachael Lewis 2013
Rhythm, Beat, and MeterSpecial Rhythm Symbols
DOTS
==
=.=
qqe
.e
1 Beat
1 ½ Beats
½ Beat
¾ Beat
q e
e x
+
+
Math is Music Alive Copyright Rachael Lewis 2013
Rhythm, Beat, and Meter
h q h.
Half Note
Quarter Note
Beat Values are taught in 1st grade, by rote
Beat ValueChants: Call and Response
How many beats does a half note get? Two beats! Two Beats!
Quarter Notes: Get 1 beat!
Dotted Half Notes Dotted half notes, “Get Three Beats!” (sung on Do Ti La, la it Do)
http://www.musictechteacher.com/music_quizzes/cg_quiz_fling_teacher_rhythm_time.htm“Fling the Teacher.” Fun beat value reinforcement.
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