Rhythm

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Rhythm

Another vast subject. We have seen how a rhythmic design can change an ordinary string of notes into a memorable tune. Its most important role though is in the accompaniment. It can probably be best studied in piano music, where it is usually evident in the left hand part.

Most instrumental music used in the commercial world makes extensive use of rhythm in the accompaniment, usually drums and percussion, and is often derived from the character of the melody. For example, I wrote the melody for Exile before adding rhythm and harmony. The melody suggested both.

Take another look at the melody in the beginning phrase and you will notice that the first nine notes are eighth notes (quavers). Pretty straightforward stuff that, to my ears, suggested a classic rock drum rhythm (Figures 5.3, 5.4 and 5.5) used on countless recordings over the last four or five decades. Simple but effective. Of course we all hear things differently and had that melody been written by someone else (you?) the rhythmic scheme may well have taken a different turn .

Figure 5.3. Rock rhythm

Figure Figures 5.4 and 5.5. Rock rhythm, Hyper view, and Matrix view

Of course rhythmic accompaniment need not be restricted solely to drums. It is very easy to create rhythm in Logic without the use of percussion sounds. Rhythm can be generated with absolute accuracy using synthesized sounds to play arpeggios and other percussive patterns. These take on a more pulsating effect than the humanly played equivalent. For example: In Exile, the drums don't appear until the third verse. However, an eighth note pulse has been implied by the guitar arpeggios (Track 1), which also happen to supply the harmony. This is reinforced by a sixteenth note arpeggio pattern played by the harp (Track 9) on the last verse and chorus.

Techno and dance music are playing an increasing role in music for the media. Melody is a secondary consideration in this style of music and the composition process would probably start from the bottom up, with rhythmic patterns and loops being created first.

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