MUS 069A Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Time Signature, Duple And Quadruple Metre, Quarter Note
13 Sep 2017
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Document Summary
Meter - the grouping of beats into units known as measures. It"s a combination of natural tendencies of beats to group themselves into measures according to elements (melodic, harmonic, rhythmic, etc. ) Determined by the perception of stressed/strong beats, contrast with non- stressed/weak beats. Meters can be duple, triple, quadruple, quintuple, septuplet, and so on. Meters with four or more beats often contain a secondary stress within the measure. (usually the middle beat in measure). Meter signature appears as two numbers, one over the other. Chapter focuses on traditional practices and incorporate contemporary thoughts and opinions. Numbers tell little regard to number of beats in a given measure, type of note that receives the beat, how quickly beats occur. Don"t think 3-4 always containing three beats with the quarter note always equaling the beat. Does not account for the tempo, which may be determining factor to what note will receive the beat and how many beats in a measure.
