LESSON 3

RHYTHMIC CONCEPT

TOPIC
1. Elements of Rhythm

LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
1. acquire the basic knowledge of the elements of musical rhythm and
give important attention to each element as they are necessary in
the study of rhythms and dances
2. gain knowledge on the different method of counting music, relate it
to counting step pattern and articulate the relationship of the
elements to musical rhythms and movement
3. apply the elements of musical rhythm to movements.

TOPIC 1: ELEMENTS OF RHYTHM

An individual need to move easily, freely, and to handle his body with confidence. He
must be given the chance to freely before he can be expected to keep in precise time
to specific piece of music or rhythmic pattern. In order to have a relationship between
movement and specific accompaniment, he must be able to listen, adjust his rhythm
to that of the music, and move accordingly. Moreover, one needs to respond to his
own rhythm before he can be expected to adapt to another or to a group. Of course,
this takes experience.

When an individual can readily relate his rhythm to his movement, we say he is moving
rhythmically – he has developed his skills, and he can move to external rhythms of music,
percussion, words, and with another individual or with the group. In dance, the rhythmic patterns
and rhythmic qualities of a musical piece are of vital importance on the execution of quality
movements.
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RHYTHM is notated with the note value symbols showing duration.

PULSE
It is the steady beat, which is both constant and regular. It can be felt when you tap your foot to a
piece of music. It can be represented visually by a time of half notes, quarter notes or eight notes.

METER
1. Duple Meter – The pulse Is divided into two recurring patterns of one strong and one weak
beat.

2. Triple Meter – It divides the pulse into a recurring pattern of one strong, and two weak
beats.

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3. Quadruple Meter – It divides the pulse into one strong and three weak beats.

The sign > is an accent mark. It indicates that the note under which (or over
which) it appears is to be given more stress than the surrounding notes. Usually the
accent is on the first beat. It gives emphasis to a beat in a count. It is expressed by
a more forceful movement in a sequence of movements.

METER SIGNATURES
Meter signatures or time signature is made up of two numbers, one above the other, which
appears at the beginning of a music piece. The top number indicates the meter of the piece or the
number of beats per measure, and the bottom number identifies the note value or kind of notes that
represents the pulse or beat. Meter signature is never written in fraction.

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Duple Meter Signature
2 – indicates two pulses or beats per measure
4 – identifies the quarter note as the pulse beat
1 2
Triple Meter Signature
3 – three beats to a measure
4 – a quarter note receives one beat
1 2 3
Quadruple Meter Signature

4 – four beats to a measure

TEMPO
It is the speed of music. It can be constant or show gradual increase (acceleration) or
decrease (deceleration).
INTENSITY
This is the quality of musical sound from low to high or soft to loud. In dance, it has
something to do with the quality of movements, either be strong or light; soft or sharp; slow or
fast, and sudden or sustained movements. Mood is related to intensity, but carries the concept
deeper into human feelings, music can interpret many moods.

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PHRASE
In music, it is a musical sentence that can be felt by listening for a complete thought. This
can be group of measures, generally four or eight measures. In dance, this is a grouping of
movements, which gives a feeling of wholeness – “a sentence” of movement patterns. Phrases
when put together, they become rhythmic pattern.

rhythmic pattern

RHYTHMIC PATTERN
Rhythmic pattern corresponds to the underlying beat. In movements and dance, it follows
the step pattern.

A. In Music B. In Movements
B.

1 2 1 2 walk walk leap leap

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SYSTEM OF COUNTING
In learning to read rhythms, it is useful to learn the method of counting that can be sounded
off as you are clapping the rhythms. In movements and dance, the different methods of counting
are very vital to the execution step pattern or dance pattern. Mastery of the meter signature along
with counting that corresponds to the dance pattern elicits correct execution and timing.

Assessment

Direction:
LEARNINGChoose the Answer
TASK 3.1: correct answer
Me!
Direction: Choose the correct answer. Send your answer to your subject instructor
through google classroom or fb page.

1. It is made up of two numbers, one above the other, which appears at the beginning of a
music piece.
a. Meter Signature b. Meter c. Tempo d. Phrase
2. It indicates that the note under which (or over which) it appears is to be given more stress
than the surrounding notes.
a. Beat b. Note c. Accent Mark d. Rhythm
3. It is notated with the note value symbols showing duration.
a. Pulse b. Rhythm c. Meter d. Tempo
4. Music is divided into measures by means of vertical lines called ______.
a. Horizontal Lines b. Vertical Lines c. Bar Lines d. Bar
5. It corresponds to the underlying beat.
a. Rhythmic Pattern b. Floor Pattern c. Step Pattern d. Dance Pattern
6. This is the quality of musical sound from low to high or soft to loud. In dance, it has
something to do with the quality of movements, either be strong or light; soft or sharp;
slow or fast, and sudden or sustained movements.
a. Measures b. Intensity c. Tempo d. Phrase
7. It divides the pulse into one strong and three weak beats.
a. Duple Meter b. Triple Meter c. Quadruple Meter d. Meter
8. It is the steady beat, which is both constant and regular. It can be felt when you tap your
foot to a piece of music.
a. Pulse b. Rhythm c. Meter d. Tempo
9. It is the speed of music. It can be constant or show gradual increase (acceleration) or
decrease (deceleration).
a. Measures b. Intensity c. Tempo d. Phrase
10. In learning to read rhythms, it is useful to learn this method. It can be sounded off as you
are clapping the rhythms.
a. Phrase b. Rhythmic Pattern c. Measures d. System Counting

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LEARNING TASK 3.2: Let’s Clap!
Direction: Perform the following value of its note through clapping. Take a video of it
and send to your subject instructor through FB Page Comment Section.

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