Skip to main content
Humanities LibreTexts

1.4: Additional Information

  • Page ID
    749
    • Anonymous
    • LibreTexts
    \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

    Learning Objectives
    • Slurs, phrase markings and ties.
    • Dynamics and common articulations.
    • Artificial division (“tuplets”).
    • Syncopation
    • Introduction to Asymmetrical Meter

    Slurs, Phrase Markings and Ties

    Curves lines have several uses in music notation. Curves lines may be drawn above or below segments of a composition (slurs or phrase markings). A curved line may also connect two note values across a bar-line (ties).

    1. A slur is a performance indication in music, used to instruct the performer to connect those notes encompassed by the slur. A wind player will not articulate (“tongue”) these notes, a string player will play them all in one bow stroke, a pianist will strive to connect the notes fluidly.

      Figure 1.41 Slurs

      ef2e13ccdabdea3fb4b8200db6a20f99.jpg

      Slurs should be drawn connecting or encompassing note-heads. A common mistake by students is to draw slurs connecting stems. The exception to this general practice occurs when a slur is drawn over note stems that change direction. (See measure 1 of Figure 1.41.)

    2. A phrase marking is also a performance indication. A composer will encase a passage of music within a phrase marking to indicate a complete idea, a complete musical statement. This does not have any effect upon articulation: many times slurs may be found within the bounds of a phrase marking. Phrase markings are placed above the staff.

      Figure 1.42 Phrase Markings

      25b550faabbda9771453ba56c429add2.jpg
    3. At times a durational value exceeds the bounds of a measure in a given time signature: the note value occupies more “beats” than the measure will allow. To accommodate this, we use a tie, a short curved line connecting one durational value to another in the succeeding measure.

      Figure 1.43 Ties

      09d7450ca923e2e8ae2b0cefc0f63f71.jpg

    Dynamic Markings and Articulations

    Dynamic markings indicate relative degrees of volume in a composition or a passage of music. Articulations are common symbols (and their associated terms) directing how notes are performed. These are listed in Chapter 19 with other common musical terms.

    The basic dynamic markings are:

    1. pianissimo: very “soft” (quiet)
    2. piano: “soft”
    3. mezzo-piano: medium “soft”
    4. mezzo-forte: medium “strong” or loud
    5. forte: strong or loud
    6. fortissimo: very strong or loud

    Some composers expand this range, adding dynamic markings using three or four “p’s” or three or four “f’s.”

    85e8275a215194698631c9c6415a8727.jpg
    Figure 1.44 Basic Dynamic Markings

    Composers employ special markings that serve as performance “indicators,” denoting how notes are to be performed. Those commonly used are listed below.

    1. Staccato: originally interpreted as “half the written value,” it has come to mean “detached” (not necessarily “short”).

      Figure 1.45 Staccato Examples

      5755a332ee96432e866f7bb847aacd71.jpg
    2. Legato: properly Tenuto (“held”), meaning held to full value and implying connection to the following note value.

      Figure 1.46 Legato Examples

      d11118bcc10cbd83deab6b9b9addd8b6.jpg
    3. Marcato: (“marked”), accented.

      Figure 1.47 Marcato Examples

      d3d7ab0810a5dd85d94c14c6418ec148.jpg
    4. Marcatisimo: heavily accented.

      Figure 1.48 Marcatissimo Examples

      75d33e78094d67f98caf6a570178f967.jpg
    5. Martelé: in writing for strings, this marking is used to denote a very heavy accent, heavy bow pressure being achieved by the use of “downbow.”

      Figure 1.49 Martelé Examples

    75d33e78094d67f98caf6a570178f967.jpg

    Artificial Divisions

    Review the fundamental attributes defining simple and compound meter. Simple meter divides the fundamental pulse into two portions, compound meter into three. At times it is desirable (or necessary) to insert a compound division into simple time, or a simple division into compound time. This process is called artificial division, commonly called tuplets.

    In a simple meter, inserting a compound division (artificially dividing the beat into three equal portions) is called a triplet and is written thus:

    b1b9b798fdd4525d5e9ce1bb1c3a5118.jpg
    Figure 1.50 Triplets in Simple Meter

    Conversely, inserting a simple division into a compound meter (artificially dividing the beat unto two equal portions) is called a duplet, and is written thus:

    98e13580cb69367cf340e150d2fbce1a.jpg
    Figure 1.51 Duplets in Compound Meter

    A triplet may occur across multiple beats in Simple Meter, called a super-triplet. In Compound Meter, a larger tuplet across multiple beats may occur.

    d9acfa616cd83868003f9df612b98c68.jpg
    Figure 1.52 Super-triplet, Tuplet

    Composers have employed many other tuplet figures, inserting larger artificial divisions within beats or groups of beats.

    fab7f11a57a34ebd9baaf9c44ae622ea.jpg
    Figure 1.53 Examples of Larger Tuplets

    Artificial division is used as a process for making rigid time and beat division much more fluid and irregular. This technique is especially prevalent in music from the 19th Century onwards.

    Syncopation

    Syncopation is another common rhythmic device. The simplest definition of syncopation is:

    1. An arrangement of durational values that places accents or “stress” where it is unexpected.
    2. This translates to “accents on the off-beats” (or weak beats).”
    3. Originating as a rhythmic device in early music, it has become an especially prevalent attribute of music after 1900.
    4. Syncopation does occur in certain contexts throughout the evolution of Western music.

    Here are some typical rhythmic patterns demonstrating this device:

    6f057e43e47ae8d357263647ec517a13.jpg
    Figure 1.54 Examples of Syncopation Patterns

    Asymmetrical Meter

    Asymmetrical meter has become a very common device in the composer’s arsenal. Often called “Odd-meters” (a slang term) because the top number of such time signatures is an “odd number,” these are time signatures that mix simple and compound beats within a measure or pulse grouping. Common examples are:

    5/16 5/8 5/4 7/16 7/8 7/4 11/16 11/8 11/4 13/16 13/8 13/4

    Triple meters and their multiples are not included in this category generally. Often these meters are treated in the same manner that we treat compound meters, that is, the written time signature represents First Division. So, for example, 58 might be grouped as two eighth notes plus three eighth notes or the reverse.

    77f84f5e6de78e91c047048d906c845e.jpg
    Figure 1.55 Division Groupings

    A seven-meter might be grouped 2+2+3, 3+2+2, or 2+3+2, and so forth for other asymmetrical meters. It is possible to construct asymmetrical divisions from typical meters by irregular groupings. For example,

    88 might be grouped as 3+3+258 might be grouped as 3+2+2+2105 might be grouped as 3+3+2+2 and so forth

    efb642d11ad36253a16c9f2db1d497c1.jpg
    Figure 1.56 Other Meters and Sample Groupings

    Until the 20th Century, there were relatively few examples of asymmetrical meter in the literature. A notable exception is the second movement of Tchaikovsky’s Sixth Symphony (Páthetique) (in 5).

    Symphony No. 6, II

    See this link:

    imslp.org/wiki/Symphony_No.6,..._Pyotr_Ilyich)

    Asymmetrical meter is a hallmark of 20th- and 21st-century music, in both classical and vernacular genre. Composers freely employed asymmetrical meters for entire segments and pieces or employed them incidentally as context demanded. Examples that come readily to mind include:

    • “Money,” Pink Floyd (Dark Side of the Moon) in 7 (4+3);
    • “Solesbury Hill,” Peter Gabriel, mostly in 7 (4+3);
    • “Back in New York City,” Genesis (The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway), again mostly in 7 (2+2+3);
    • The wonderful compositions and arrangements by the legendary Jazz artist Hank Levy;
    • Béla Bartók, Concerto for Orchestra, IV, Intermezzo, simple duple alternating with 5;
    • Igor Stravinsky, the closing passage of L’Oiseau de feu (The Firebird), Le Sacre du Printemps
    • (The Rite of Spring);

    There are many other examples.

    It became customary for 20th-century composers to mix asymmetrical meters as needed, their use dictated by phrasing, text rhythm, and so forth. Concluding our discussion of rhythm, we are fully prepared to enter the realm of pitch in the next chapter.

    Conclusion

    The student should understand:

    • Uses of the slur (phrase marking, tie).
    • Basic dynamics and basic articulations.
    • Syncopation.
    • Asymmetrical meters.
    Exercise 1:
    1. List the six basic dynamics markings and give their relative volumes.
    2. Using the Time Signature Table, graph the following asymmetrical meters. List each written time signature in the First Division row, sum to find component Pulses, then provide one level of Subdivision.
      1. 5/16
        Pulse  
        First Division  
        Subdivisions  
      2. 5/8
        Pulse  
        First Division  
        Subdivisions  
      3. 7/8
        Pulse  
        First Division  
        Subdivisions  
      4. 11/8
        Pulse  
        First Division  
        Subdivisions  
    3. List three possible division groupings for each of the following time signatures:

      78  98  108  108  118  138

      See example.

      Figure 1.57 Asymmetrical Division Groupings

      470090a781040a55d942f6e861a74602.jpg
    4. Sum the divisions you’ve created in order to determine pulse values. See example.

      Figure 1.58 Asymmetrical Pulse Values

      3be4911b7b2bdff9032383913cb87611.jpg

    This page titled 1.4: Additional Information is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Anonymous via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request.