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SIGHT-READING RHYTHM |
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WARNING : You will approach here only the rhythms and
measures used in this method.
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INTRODUCTION
You will begin your rhythm training in an
original way, by appealing to the less theoretical or intellectual data.
Certain rhythms will be even approached through examples drawn
from popular songs which prove to be excellent mnemonic supports
(who has never heard "Twinkle little star", "Jingle Bells" or "Happy birthday"...?)
DEFINITION OF RHYTHM
The rhythm is something relative. The duration of
the notes exists only compared to one basic pulsation which one calls
beat (or tempo). This flow can be of various degrees speed or
slowness, but it is ALWAYS regular (example : tick-tock of a watch,
beats of a metronome, etc)
It is essential to get in oneself the feeling of the tempo
BEFORE starting a rhythm exercise or one of the pieces in this
method. In this connection, have you already observed musicians on stage ?
Before starting to play one of them always gives the tempo by counting
one or two empty measures (lead in) so that all have the same count feel.
REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DURATIONS
DEFINITION OF MEASURES
A measure is the division of a piece of music in parts of equal
durations whose limits are indicated by the measure lines (see figure II).
Note : in this method you will approach only simple
measures notation (each time is made of a simple value (i.e. being divisible by two)).
TIME SIGNATURES
The measure length of a piece of music is indicated
using time signature : the higher figure indicates the number of
counts (pulsations, time) per measure, the lower figure the count value. Below, you will find the table of the
measures used in this method (figure III).

ASSOCIATED SIGNS
You should know certain signs to read the music
and the rhythm correctly.
- The repetition sign indicates that it is necessary to play
the previous measure (see figure IV).
- The repeat point indicates that the part of the piece lain between the two symbols should be
played again. If the left sign is absent, then it is necessary to replay from the
beginning of the piece (see figure V).
- The tie. When this sign connects two or
several notes of the same name, then the whole notes
form a new sound whose values is equal to the sum of the dependent
durations (see figure VI).
- The dot, placed behind a note, increases this one of half
of its initial value (see figure VII).




RESTS REPRESENTATION
A rest means that you stop playing for a moment. In the table below (figure VIII) you will find the names,
symbols and respective durations of each rest.

© Amar GUERFI 1994-98