Rhythmic Studies 1Laajuus (3 ECTS)

Objective

The student becomes familiar with the rhythmic fundamentals, practices and interpretive rhythmic traditions of African American music and other Western musics. The student is able to continuously develop his/her skills and knowledge of reading, writing, improvising and interpreting rhythms in the most common time signatures, rhythmic figures, music styles and tempi.

Content

- the metric structure of music (pulse, tempo, beat, beat grouping, subdivision, measure)
- principles of divisive (Western European) and additive (West African) rhythmic systems
- key rhythms, rhythmic figures/outlines and syncopation
- different levels of musical rhythm (metric, melodic, harmonic and percussive) and composite (overall) rhythm
- reading and writing exercises in 2/4, 3/4 and 4/4 time
- body percussion excercises
- the fundamentals of jazz phrasing and even 8ths/16ths articulation and stressing in various styles, stylistical eras and tempi
- oral interpretation of rhythm: both prepared and prima vista
- rhythmic imitation and improvisation

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The student:
• has participated in lessons as agreed
• has carried out the agreed tasks
• is able to work independently
• can identify and analyze rhythmic notation figures
• can write simple rhythm dictations
• can sing simple rhythms in straight time or with jazz phrasing
• can identify simple exceptional time signatures by ear or in notation
• is capable of expressing swing in common time signatures
• has completed the oral and written exam satisfactorily

Further information

Suoritukset: Opetukseen osallistuminen, harjoitustehtävien suorittaminen sekä kirjallinen ja suullinen kuulustelu.