The melodic structure in music largely depends on the rhythm, it is to this indicator that we sometimes owe a good mood when we want to nod to the beat or to tap a strong share in our favorite song with our foot. At the same time, it can be difficult to explain what rhythm in music is, it requires special knowledge, at least an initial musical education. However, if one sets a goal and desire, then this question can be explained to the general public, using popular concepts and detailed definitions. The word “rhythm” itself is used not only in music, it is an extensive concept that has become so firmly entrenched that it is taken for granted.
What is rhythm in music, definition
If we are passionate about any melody, we can start tapping with our fingers or foot to the beat, while observing a certain order of pauses and pace. It is like a ripple that drives us almost unconsciously. Thus, the rhythm in music is a combination of the duration of sounds and pauses at a certain pace.
Perhaps, it is the definition of musical rhythm that can be considered one of the most complex formulations, since it is fundamental, it is difficult to explain it with simple concepts.
How to explain the concept of "rhythm"?
In music education, the concept of “rhythm” is not even explained, since the very perception of rhythm is absorbed in the elementary grades. How to explain the concept of rhythm to a person without the slightest musical education?
Almost everything in our life is subject to a measured pulsation with a certain duration. The heart beats at almost equal intervals, the sea waves also have their own duration. The rhythm can be accelerated, slowed down, lost and restored, but it definitely exists, therefore this concept is in most cases perceived as something natural.
Therefore, the rhythm in music is a combination of durations and accents, complex interweaving of sounds of various heights, pauses in a delimited time mode. By and large, any musical rhythm can be transferred to a mathematical system and even draw a graph. However, most people do not need mathematical justification; they have an innate sense of rhythm.
How to determine the rhythm
The rhythm in music is a combination of size and tempo. If everything is clear with the tempo, this is the “speed” of the music, then the size is the number of basic lengths of sounds or pauses for one beat. How do we usually find the rhythm of music? For example, in a waltz, most often this is a repetition of “one-two-three, one-two-three” - this is the rhythm of the waltz, with each digit indicating a beat, that is, an integral part of one measure. The given phrase just fits two measures, each with three beats.
In music, under the beat usually refers to one quarter note, but other options are possible. In the example with the classic waltz size, this is usually three quarters, that is, exactly three equal durations are placed in one measure, which, in turn, can be divided into shorter sounds or combined into longer sounds. Children's song “A Christmas tree was born in the forest” is another excellent example of a smooth, slender rhythm and a size of two quarters.
The influence of rhythm on the perception of a musical work
It is the rhythm that affects how we perceive musical works. Moreover, a change in rhythm can radically change the style direction, sometimes this is used for stylistic arrangement. If you change the rhythmic pulsation of the music, you can turn the waltz into a jazz composition, while leaving a recognizable melody of the work. Understanding what rhythm in music is, one can safely say that this is one of the determining factors in stylistics and genre orientation.
At different times, there were different rhythms in fashion, but the musical fashion is cyclical, in addition, no one has canceled the classics. Classical works are called immortal, because this is actually not aging music. The role of rhythm in music cannot be underestimated, one without the other simply does not exist.
Does jerky music happen?
Sometimes you can hear criticism of a work: "This is absolutely irregular music." Is it really possible? To begin with, the music itself is a combination of sounds of various heights, volume and duration, pauses and accents. If you carefully look at the score of a complex musical work, you can see that the rhythm and size can vary depending on the tasks set by the composer.
What is the rhythm in music - is it some kind of constant or is it still a flexible parameter that can be changed? Of course, the rhythm can change, this gives the composition a great liveliness, a special mood. If some music seems irregular, then, most likely, it is divided into unequal parts with different rhythms, decorated with syncopes and expressive accents.
The relationship of melody and rhythm
A clear rhythm in the melody is often associated with the intended movements, and as an example, the march is perfect. This is probably one of the most rhythmic tunes, where each beat involves a step. By and large, the melody and rhythm in the music determines the mood and genre of movements that perfectly blend with the work in question. Dance and music have always been closely connected, the harmony of this combination lies precisely in the rhythm, when the movements coincide with musical parts and accents. In a similar way, music and verses in a song are connected, the size should be the same in them, then the listeners will not have a dissonance.
Rhythm as a broad concept
Since many processes in life and the world around us are subject to a measured alternation, we can safely say that the phrase “rhythm of life” is not a metaphor. The rhythm makes life easier, we enter a kind of resonance with repeating cycles associated with development. Therefore, a rhythmic life should not become a vicious circle. Rather, it is an ascending spiral, symbolizing the progress of a person and very similar to a musical rhythm. In music, you can also find similar processes - development, culmination and completion.
The expression “enter the working rhythm” is also quite widespread and implies a measured alternation of activity and rest. The parallels can be traced completely transparent, so this concept should really be considered broader than just a musical term.
For successful meditation, you also need to connect to the rhythm, you just have to choose which one is more suitable for entering into resonance with the outside world. Some people like the rhythm of the waves, others like the beating of a human heart. The rhythm in itself is very important for achieving harmony, and music helps to achieve this goal.