Rhythm explained Daniel Laberge

Rhythm exercise 2-2

Two eighth notes followed by a quarter rest

Rhythm exercise 2-2 -Two eighth notes followed by a quarter rest

Use of the binary beat division

About 96% of all the music on this planet is constructed on the binary division.

The style of music has some influence, jazz, for example, is mostly ternary.

Strong and weak rhythmic positions

In rhythm, consecutive events aren't equal in strength.
They generally alternate; strong-weak-strong-weak, ...
This doesn't necessarily mean that notes that fall on strong positions are played louder (they often are), but that one rhythmic event is felt more strongly than the following.
Since this alternating "strong-weak" pattern exists at the half note, quarter note, eighth note and sixteenth note levels, every rhythmic position in a bar has a slightly different weight.

Strong and weak rhythmic positions

Musicians can override this natural feel by placing voluntary accents on weak rhythmic positions.

How to perform
the exercises

There are two ways to perform the exercises:

•Vocally: Using the syllable "Ta" (recommended).

•Manually: Using your hand, finger, nail, a pencil or a stick.

Audio renditions

BELOW

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STEREO FIELD

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Beat your
foot!

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Exercise 2-2
Tempo 70 bpm

Exercise 2-2
Tempo 100 bpm

Exercise 2-2
Tempo 130 bpm

Exercise 2-2
Complete score

Tempo 70

Tempo 100

Tempo 130

Score of rhythm exercise 2-2

A complete overview of rhythm

Rhythm explained
Rhythm exercise 2-2 -Two eighth notes followed by a quarter rest
Strong and weak rhythmic positions
Scrolling score players
Non-scrolling score players
STEREO FIELD
Beat your foot
Score of rhythm exercise 2-2
Swing
Rhythm explained