MUSI 1001 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Tonality, Accelerando, Subdominant
17 Oct 2014
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Document Summary
Among the most primal of music elements. Divides long spans of time into smaller units. Gives a shape, or profile to the melody. Provides vitality and definition to the melody. An even pulse dividing the passing of time into equal segments. It can be strongly felt of barely perceptible. Often creates a physical response: tapping the foot or clapping. Rate of the beat is called tempo. A group of beats is called a measure (or a bar) Measures generally consist of groups of two three, of four beats. Bottom number indicates what note value gets the best. Top number identifies how many beats occur in each measure. The time signature is normally placed at the beginning of the music. Always indicated by a downward motion of the conductor"s hand. An upbeat that occurs prior to a composition"s first downbeat. An emphasis or stress placed on a musical tone or chord.
