Musical pace: names, terms

Every professional musician knows about the existence of notes of different durations - half, eighth, etc. But if you ask someone how much time each of them should sound, the answer will be ambiguous. After all, the sounding of the same quarter note in different compositions will differ in duration. Therefore, although the duration of the notes is related to time, it is unrealistic to determine the length of the entire work by them. It's like trying to measure time with steps.

Music pace

What to do, and how to determine the sound speed of music? How quickly does the internal biological pendulum inside each of us need to work to beat off strong shares? The answer to this question exists, because in this case we will focus on the music pace.

Pace translated from Italian means "time." Literally, the term means the speed of sounding of a musical work, which is measured by the number of beats per minute. But the main task of the musical tempo is to convey to the listener the character and emotions of the composer's work.

What is the pace?

For simple amateur music listeners, the main differences in music sound like fast or slow. Professional musicians use special terms coined in Italy. There are many such terms, but we will consider the most widely used. It is worth noting that when it comes to musical tempo, it is mainly not a certain number of strokes (although this is also important) that is taken into account, but a character that carries the corresponding emotions.

As we can see from the table, the slowest musical tempo is Grave, which means that the work needs to be played not only slowly, but hard and solemnly. Here it is worth noting the relationship of tempo values ​​and musical decorations (melismas). In this case, the musical term Grave also means the “seriousness” of the performance, while Largo and Adagio, similar in number of beats, require the artist to improvise in the jewelry.

Sometimes at a given Grave pace, there may be an indication next to individual single Adagio notes. Logically, changing the tempo in a solemn, serious part (overture, for example) is impossible. In this case, the adagio indicates the possibility of ornamenting this section of the work. From here came the sayings about masters of improvisation, who were called "good adagio performers." Such a term meant that the musician knows how to apply ornamentation during the game.

Metronome

Such an unusual name is an instrument that can beat off certain pieces of time with blows, which determine the tempo in music. The metronome is translated from Greek as "the force of law." The classic device is a wooden pyramid, in the center of which a pendulum moves. It also has a scale with numbers. They mean the number of strokes per minute of time. For example, the fast music pace of Presto is 184-200 clicks. Each of these beats has a strong beat. There are also electronic metronomes, as well as mobile applications on smartphones, by setting which, you can set the desired pace directly from the phone.

Be careful when playing with a metronome. After all, music should be lively and its sound can hardly be called solid mechanics. Basically, the metronome is used to play technical works: etudes, scales, arpeggios.

How do different rates affect the human body?

At an Italian university, Dr. Luciano Bernardi conducted an interesting experiment. It was based on the task of tracing the influence of different musical tempos on the human body. 24 people were selected for participation, half of whom were professional musicians, and the second half were ordinary music lovers.

Before the experiment, measurements were made:

• blood pressure
• respiratory rate;
• heartbeat frequencies;
• high and low heart rate variability.

After that, the experimental subjects were allowed to listen to musical fragments of different durations (2-4 minutes) and style, with short pauses between them.

What was the result of the experiment?

The results of the experiment showed that all organic indicators increased during the sounding fast pace of musical works. Moreover, the musicians had a higher respiratory rate than ordinary listeners. Interestingly, this phenomenon is due not to the individual preferences of each of the participants, but to the rhythmic pattern and pace of the work itself.

According to the doctor and his assistants, the alternation of fast and slow musical tempo can immerse listeners in a state of deep relaxation, as well as improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system.

Electronic music and its pace

The classics are eternal ... So the great composer Paganini claimed at one time. Of course, classical music has its fans. But she was replaced by new styles with a radically fresh sound. These include electronic music.

To write electronic works, various equipment is used, which is not very similar to a harpsichord or violin. Basically, these are computers, synthesizers and other fashionable novelties. Consider the most popular music styles.

Breaks

This is not just a style, but a whole subculture. It was born during the popularity of the Winstons group, which during the game first used a broken line, the so-called “drum loop” - not just one drums sound, but whole small fragments consisting of several measures. Later, such motives became the basis of breakbeat. Often they sound in drum'n'bass style. In the break, they have already significantly altered, but the broken rhythm remained. True, it sounds at a more moderate musical pace with a beat frequency of 120-130.

Electro

Electronic style goes back to hip-hop culture. Formed under the powerful influence of funk and Kraftwerk. The direction is distinguished by a pronounced "computer" sound. There are practically no natural sounds in such music. Even the vocal parts or voices of nature are modified beyond recognition with the help of various effects. The main theme of electro-style composers is robots, technological innovations, nuclear explosions, etc. The pace is used in 125 and higher strokes.

Techno

It was born in the 80s of the 20th century in Detroit. After a short time, the DJs of Europe picked up the style. If in America the direction was more likely underground in nature, in Great Britain it burst out like an avalanche. Mechanical rhythms, artificial sound, repeated repetition of musical phrases - all this characterizes the techno style. The pace is 135-145 beats per minute.

Once again about the main thing

Many musicians at different times loved to experiment with musical trends and their pace. For orientation in temporary space at the time of playing a musical instrument, a metronome is used. Which is true, this is very relative, because music, although closely connected with mathematics, is still distinguished by the presence of a soul. And the soul, in turn, depends on the presentation of the musician. So, experiment, feel and enjoy the art.