6/16/2016 Rhythm What s Not on the Page Lisa S. Schwarzkopf lisa4bass@hotmail.com HCNW June 2016 1 Time Signatures 4 / 4 Time also called Common Time (C): 4 = Beats per Measure 4 = Quarter Note equals 1 Beat 3 / 4 Time 3 = Beats per Measure 4 = Quarter Note = 1 Beat 2 / 2 Time: Also called Cut-Time: C with a line through it. 2 = Beats per Measure 2 = Half Note gets 1 Beat 2 SUBDIVISION: 3 1
6/16/2016 Metronome USING THE METRONOME: Introduce the Metronome to your practice: Be prepared to be frustrated at first! Learned Skill: Singing and keeping your ear on the metronome Breaking it down: Eliminate distractions Set Metronome: Lento Snail! Walk, clap, then sing warm-up scales/exercises at various tempos (No Notation/Music Reading) Sing the song on ta Add Music and Adjust tempo to comfortable speed. Your Goal: Sing in rhythm at any speed! Andante Allegro Vivace 4 5 Counting Rhythms Time Signature? Count: 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 Clap: X X X X X X X X X X X X 6 2
6/16/2016 Syncopated Rhythms Set the Pulse Follow music and Clap in 8 th Notes (subdivide to shortest note duration) Follow music and Count aloud (1+2+3+4+) and Clap 8 th Notes Follow music and Count aloud and Clap the Rhythm as written Listen: After You ve Gone 1 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 1 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 7 Triplet - Exercises 1. Clap Each Triplet on different BEATS BEAT: 1 2 3 4 / Triplet ex. A: 1 2 tri-ple-let 4 Triplet ex. B: 1 tri-ple-let 3 4 Triplet ex. C: tri-ple-let 2 3 4 Triplet ex. D: 1 2 3 tri-ple-let 2. Try stressing different notes in the Tri-ple-let pattern: DOO - LEE AH DOO LEE AH DOO LEE AH etc. 8 Triplets Swinging 8ths 8 th Notes = Swing Look at the beginning of song: 2 Eighth Notes = Uneven 8th notes First Note is longer = Swing Listen: I Don t Know Why Uneven 8 th Notes = Tied Triplet The first note is equal to two of the triplet notes. Sounds like this: Notating Eight Note Swing Triplets: Notated: Looks like Tied Eight Notes 9 3
6/16/2016 Quarter Note Triplets Half-note divided into three equal parts: To get the timing and feel right: Subdivide Quarter Note Triplets 10 Freely Shine On Me: (B ) Listen: Shine On Me T Freely So what s not on the Page that makes Freely work? Freely is not sung in Tempo but there is an implied rhythm Conversational and understandable space and time should provide meaning to express the lyric so it is understandable to the audience. Rhythmic Propellant implied in Freely also called Rubato with Implied Rhythmic pattern and Rhythmic flow. Equal amount of Ebb and Flow while expressing the lyric and using the arrangement to tell the story 11 How to Fix Tempo Problems? Soft and Loud Dynamics - Consistent emotional drive. Less focus on Singing LOUD or soft Clarify the purpose of the emotional energy Lower Notes Practice scales and arpeggios with a Metronome Syncopation - Establish the Pulse First Clap Rhythms Rubato/ Freely Recite lyrics A LOT - think, public speaking with pauses, emphasis on important words or phrases. What is the story? Read Newspaper slowly, deliberately and expressively; Sing it any melody. No BEAT/No Groove Freely Find meaningful words. Reminder: Rubato or Freely does not necessarily mean SLOW. 12 4
6/16/2016 How to Fix Tempo Problems? Slow, Un-rhythmic Breathing - Find rests/plan to breathe in time with music Range-y Vocal Line Practice scales/arpeggios; Read Dramatic Stories aloud Get to know your instrument Many Words /No Words Speak then Sing lyric rhythmically / Subdivide Use Metronome Tempo Changes (Verse to Sock Time Kick line Prepare add a physical gesture, take a rhythmic breath Choreography All Movement to have meaning and follow the musical phrase Practice Physical activities in everything you do Warm ups too! 13 Physical Practice Ideas Keep the pulse with different parts of the body: feet, hands, elbows, fingers, etc. Have fun with various rhythm instruments or household items to create rhythmic orchestra Use Physical Warm-Ups in the same Tempo as the song you are working Use choreography movement in warm-ups with consistent Tempo - Without/With singing Dance at Home! Use Vocal Warm-Ups/Words to learn rhythmic patterns in songs Reinforce physical freedom while applying tempos and/or rhythms Sing in a Circle- with space to move Use all senses visual, aural, kinesthetic 14 Tempo Reminders /Reinforcement If Tempo is rushed Evaluate - Where is the Tempo rushing? Watch for shortened or clipped weak beats (2 and 4, for ex.) especially in a walking Bass line. Slow it down: Focus on the Spaces between the Notes Feel the subdivision of the beat applied to the downbeats Tempo Driven Songs - long notes have to be sung longer, Short Notes Longer! To fill the tempo 15 5
6/16/2016 Tempo Reminders If Tempo is dragging Think of the music in 1 or 2 beats to a measure. Direct yourself that way / Add some uplifting movement Feel the downbeats beats while singing Alternate Lyrics and Pulse/Tempo Sing your part while other group members keep rhythm on Ta. Alternate. Sing the Tempo section softly -To Release tense/muscle involvement and allow you to listen to the Music more closely. Tempo Driven Songs - long notes have to be sung longer, Short Notes Longer! To fill the spaces 16 Sing in Rhythm Summing Up INNER CLOCK: Develop a consistent internal sense Maintain steady pulse Practice Rhythm exercises, Clap, Say Rhythms aloud, Use Metronome SUBDIVIDE THE BEAT: Whole-note = Divide Beats while holding the note Eighth-notes = Feel two per pulse LISTEN: Synchronize Sync up Pulse, Tempo, Dynamics, Interpretation Listen: Fly Me to The Moon EXTERNAL TIMEKEEPERS: Watch Director; Choreography; Well-placed snaps Metronome. REHEARSE: Sing in Circle: Use all senses visual, aural, kinesthetic 17 Resources Resources: Therhythmtrainer.com Musictheory.net Singthespots.com Barbershop.org Barberpole Cat Program and Song Book Vol. 1. and Vol. 2 18 6