Duration
Duration seems to scare most people. You are all very
confident with the fundamentals of duration. It is very important that you
listen carefully and venture on below the fundamentals.
Here are the things that most students discuss in an average answer.
Time signature – Simply state the time signature
Beat – Describing the beat as weak or strong possibly with no reference to instruments
that reinforce the beat.
Time Signature – Stating that the time signature is 4/4 or ¾ and it does not change
Tempo – Describing the tempo using English words.
Note lengths – Describing overall short or long note lengths. The student may not describe
the note lengths of individual instruments.
Syncopation – The student may generalize about the absence or presence of syncopation.
This is what you should discuss in YOUR answer:
Time Signature – Fully describe the time signature is it simple or compound and then state the time signature ‘numbers’
Tempo – Use Italian words to describe tempo. Make sure you listen for tempo changes, are they sudden or gradual. The better answer will mention where in the song the piece the tempo changes.
Anacrusis – Does the piece begin with an up beat, how long is the anacrusis?
Beat – Is the beat weak or strong, make sure you justify your response. Is the beat reinforced by the drums or the accented chords? Is there a BACKBEAT?
Note lengths – You should describe overall note lengths of individual instruments. It is likely that different instruments will have contrasting rhythms. It is better if you can describe an instrument using specific durations “The bass guitar is playing constant semiquavers”
Once you have thoroughly covered the above its time to discuss the following ‘exciting’ elements.
Triplets – Where do they occur, are they crotchet or quaver triplets?
Dotted rhythm – Is dotted rhythm used or in specific sections or instrumental parts?
Syncopation – Is syncopation used? Is it created through accents? Is syncopation heavy, light, continues, occasional?
Ostinato – Are there any repeating rhythms? What are the rhythmic features of the ostinato? Repeating Crotchets, Dotted rhythm, quavers etc… You should try and notate any rhythmic ostinato.
Accents – Is there an accent pattern? If so notate it. Are accents regular or irregular? Does this relate to syncopation?
Different sections of songs tend to have specific durational features. A chorus may introduce triplets. The verse may use swing rhythm. A different accent pattern may be introduced in a contrasting section.
You should practice some duration questions. Make a summary of key words grouped into areas to help you remember the words. You may want to group the terms that are related tempo, beat, rhythm etc. Make sure that you practice duration so that you can dive below the surface level.
Here are the things that most students discuss in an average answer.
Time signature – Simply state the time signature
Beat – Describing the beat as weak or strong possibly with no reference to instruments
that reinforce the beat.
Time Signature – Stating that the time signature is 4/4 or ¾ and it does not change
Tempo – Describing the tempo using English words.
Note lengths – Describing overall short or long note lengths. The student may not describe
the note lengths of individual instruments.
Syncopation – The student may generalize about the absence or presence of syncopation.
This is what you should discuss in YOUR answer:
Time Signature – Fully describe the time signature is it simple or compound and then state the time signature ‘numbers’
Tempo – Use Italian words to describe tempo. Make sure you listen for tempo changes, are they sudden or gradual. The better answer will mention where in the song the piece the tempo changes.
Anacrusis – Does the piece begin with an up beat, how long is the anacrusis?
Beat – Is the beat weak or strong, make sure you justify your response. Is the beat reinforced by the drums or the accented chords? Is there a BACKBEAT?
Note lengths – You should describe overall note lengths of individual instruments. It is likely that different instruments will have contrasting rhythms. It is better if you can describe an instrument using specific durations “The bass guitar is playing constant semiquavers”
Once you have thoroughly covered the above its time to discuss the following ‘exciting’ elements.
Triplets – Where do they occur, are they crotchet or quaver triplets?
Dotted rhythm – Is dotted rhythm used or in specific sections or instrumental parts?
Syncopation – Is syncopation used? Is it created through accents? Is syncopation heavy, light, continues, occasional?
Ostinato – Are there any repeating rhythms? What are the rhythmic features of the ostinato? Repeating Crotchets, Dotted rhythm, quavers etc… You should try and notate any rhythmic ostinato.
Accents – Is there an accent pattern? If so notate it. Are accents regular or irregular? Does this relate to syncopation?
Different sections of songs tend to have specific durational features. A chorus may introduce triplets. The verse may use swing rhythm. A different accent pattern may be introduced in a contrasting section.
You should practice some duration questions. Make a summary of key words grouped into areas to help you remember the words. You may want to group the terms that are related tempo, beat, rhythm etc. Make sure that you practice duration so that you can dive below the surface level.