You already know that music has a beat. If you look at the beginning of any piece of written music, you will see two numbers, one above the other. This is called the time signature and tells the musician not only how many beats there are in a bar but also the type of beat.
Barlines divide up the music into bite-size sections. The time signature tells you how many beats there should be in each bar and whether the beats are crotchets, quavers or minims. Different pieces of music have different numbers of beats per bar. This changes where the main emphasis is in the music.
Barlines divide up the music into bite-size sections. The time signature tells you how many beats there should be in each bar and whether the beats are crotchets, quavers or minims. Different pieces of music have different numbers of beats per bar. This changes where the main emphasis is in the music.
Kylie - Can't Get You Outa My Head
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We're going to look at the Kylie Minogue hit 'Can't Get You Outa My Head'... As soon as it starts playing, you want to start moving to the music...that's the beat! How many beats are in a bar? How many beats does it take before you hear an emphasized beat? |
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on beat / off beat = syncopation
The beat is the feel you want to dance to - its like a heartbeat. Sometimes, music can also have an emphasis on the 'off-beat'. This is called Syncopation. A brilliant example of this is 'Can't Get You Outa My Head' by Kylie.The first 3 notes of the melody happen on the beat, after that, the alignment shifts so that the melody plays in between the main beats of the bar. Have a listen to the piece, then have a go at putting it together. It might be easier to work with a partner to divide the parts before you have a go at coordinating your hands to play it by yourself!
Let's have a go at playing it! Remember, the coloured tasks are there to help you make progress.
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Blue Task:
Start with the LEFT hand bass part - this is played ON the beat. Then add the melody above it with your RIGHT hand |
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Purple Task:
This builds on the blue task. The left hand is now playing octaves (the same note letter, but 8 notes above). The right hand is playing a harmony (another note that sounds nice) with the melody |
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This builds on the purple task. The left hand is now playing quavers (coffee instead of tea!) Remember to play the octaves. The right hand is now playing a full chord (3 notes)
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| cant_get_you_outa_my_head.pdf |
Being a CONDUCTOR
The conductor uses a ____________ to help keep the performers in time to the beat. It is really important that everyone stays in time. There are set patterns, depending on how many Beats are in the bar. Here is the most common conducting pattern. Pick up a pencil and give it a go!
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Have a practice at these other time signature patterns.
The blue danube waltz (3 beats per bar)
One of the most famous pieces of music with 3 beats per bar, is the Blue Danube Waltz. Have a listen to the piece below and then have a go at playing it on the Keyboard. Remember to emphasise the first beat of each bar.
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Music from the Peer Gynt Suite |
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morning
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Hall of the mountain king
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anitra's dance
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The Animals - House of the Rising Sun
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The band 'The Animals' released the song 'House Of The Rising Sun' in 1964. It was a number 1 hit in the United Kingdom, the United States, Sweden, Finland, and Canada. It is written in 6/8 time, which means there are six quavers in each bar. When the music starts, it has a 'swaying' feel. This is because 6/8 bars are divided into two halves. Each half has three quavers. Try to count the 123,456 feel.
Now let's have a go at playing this piece! Work your way through the tasks - remember about the 6 beat feel! |
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MELODY
Play the melody to the song - remember to count carefully!
Play the melody to the song - remember to count carefully!
ACCOMPANIMENT
Play the continual moving accompaniment part. There are 6 quavers per bar, and this part play on each of those beats
Play the continual moving accompaniment part. There are 6 quavers per bar, and this part play on each of those beats
BOTH PARTS TOGETHER
Play the melody in your RIGHT hand, and the accompaniment in your LEFT hand. Take it slow and steady - keep the left hand part regular and in time
Play the melody in your RIGHT hand, and the accompaniment in your LEFT hand. Take it slow and steady - keep the left hand part regular and in time
| house_of_the_rising_sun.pdf |
Feel the Beat dominoes starter task
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Combining simple and compound time
...in one piece of music
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Here's a good way to visualise the changes in time in this piece. Imagine the beats as pieces of LEGO. There are 2 blocks of 3, then 3 blocks of 2. Each of the 'teeth' on the top of a block represents a quaver beat.
Obviously, in the piece, we don't play a note on the '+' beat, but it helps us to count it and keep the beat even. |
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1 2 3
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4 5 6
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1 +
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2 +
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3 +
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BLUE TASK
Play the melody |
PURPLE TASK
Play the melody and the bass note...or even the chord! |
PINK TASK
Play the melody with the chords under it. Have a go at the melody to the verse as well as the chorus
Play the melody with the chords under it. Have a go at the melody to the verse as well as the chorus
