Rhythm, metre and tempo in the Western Classical Tradition: note values and how they combine in a bar, simple and compound time, common time signatures, tempo terms, and rhythmic devices such as syncopation, dotted rhythms and the tie.

What this dot point is asking

This dot point covers rhythm, metre and tempo. You need to read note values and know how they combine in a bar, tell simple from compound time and read common time signatures, use tempo terms, and recognise rhythmic devices such as syncopation, dotted rhythms and the tie. The appraising paper includes notation and rhythm questions, so reading and describing rhythm precisely matters.

Note values and the bar

The note values fit together by simple fractions of a whole (the semibreve). Each bar must add up to the value the time signature requires. The doubling relationship is exact:

So in a bar of $\frac{4}{4}$ (four crotchet beats), the notes and rests must total four crotchets, whether that is one semibreve, two minims, a minim plus two crotchets, or eight quavers.

Simple and compound time

To find the time signature by ear, count the beats in a bar and feel where the strong beat falls, then decide how each beat divides. A steady "1-2-3" is triple time ($\frac{3}{4}$); a "1-2-3-4" is $\frac{4}{4}$; a lilting beat that splits into three (a "1-and-a, 2-and-a" jig feel) is compound, such as $\frac{6}{8}$.

Tempo and rhythmic devices

Syncopation is the most commonly tested device: it places accents off the strong beats, giving a sense of push, drive or surprise (it is central to jazz and pop, but also appears in classical music). Dotted rhythms give a jaunty or grand "long-short" feel (think of a march or a Baroque overture). Naming the device and its effect is what earns the marks.

Examples in context

The Bach Badinerie is a fast Baroque dance in $\frac{2}{4}$, with crisp, continuous quaver and semiquaver movement and clear phrasing. A Baroque French overture opens with grand dotted rhythms. A Classical minuet is in $\frac{3}{4}$, a moderate triple time. A $\frac{6}{8}$ movement has a lilting compound feel, two dotted-crotchet beats per bar, each splitting into three quavers, common in pastoral or hunting music. Syncopation, ties and dotted rhythms add character within these metres.

Try this

Q1. How many crotchets are there in a semibreve, and how many quavers? [2 marks]

• Cue. Four crotchets and eight quavers (a semibreve equals two minims, four crotchets, eight quavers, sixteen semiquavers).

Q2. What is the difference between simple and compound time? [2 marks]

• Cue. In simple time each beat divides into two (for example $\frac{3}{4}$); in compound time each beat divides into three and the beat is a dotted note (for example $\frac{6}{8}$).

Q3. Explain what syncopation is and its effect. [3 marks]

• What the marker wants. Placing accents off the main beats (between or against the strong beats), giving a sense of push, drive or surprise; central to jazz and pop but also used in classical music.