Introduction

Introduction

What Should You Know?

About This Project

How I Chose The Examples

Technical Notes on this Guide

I. Foundations of Music

1.1 What is Music?

1.2 Music as a Time-Based Art Form

1.3 Music as Languge?

1.4 Music Communicates Emotion

II. Pulse and Meter

2.1 Pulse vs. Meter

2.2 Time Signatures

2.3 Recurring Beat Patterns

2.4 Hierarchy of Beats, Phrasing

2.5 Duple vs. Triple, Simple vs. Compound

2.6 Counting Subdivisions

2.7 Odd Meters

2.8 How to Choose a Beat Value

2.9 Compositional Phrasing

2.10 Harmonic Rhythm

2.11 How to Use a Metronome

III. Groove and Tempo

3.1 Rhythm Cells

3.2 Groove and Dance Music

3.3 Motor Rhythm and Hocketing

3.4 Tempo Fluctuation in Classical (and other) Music

IV. Reading and Notation Tips

4.1 Beat Slashes for Ease of Reading

4.2 Counting Long Rests

4.3 The “Invisible Barline”

4.4 Beaming

V. Syncopation and Swing

5.1 Syncopation

5.2 Swing

VI. Cross-Rhythm and Polyrhythm

6.1 Cross-Rhythm

6.2 Hemiola and 3/4, 6/8 Cross Rhythm

6.3 Polyrhythm

VII. Metric Modulation

7.1 Metric Modulation for Tempo

7.2 Metric Modulation for Meter

VIII. Changing Meter and Conclusion

Bonus: Unmetered Music