Exploring Rhythm in Music

In this lesson, we're going to explore rhythm.

Embodying Rhythm

For me, personally, I find a really great way of exploring rhythm is to start embodying it, just moving along to music. This might be while you're listening to a song on the radio or while you're doing something else.

• Keeping that inner pulse in the body is really useful.

Basics of Rhythm and Tempo

To explain some of the very basics of rhythm and tempo:

• Most pop songs (this is a generalization) are in a four-four rhythm. This means there are four beats to a bar.

Counting in Four-Four

Let's count it out together:

1. 1, 2, 3, 4
2. 1, 2, 3, 4

Join me:

• 1, 2, 3, start to move.
• 1, 2, 3. Walk around the room if you want to.
• 1, 2, 3, 4.

For some people, you might want to use your feet:

• 1, 2, 3, 4
• and
• 1, 2, 3, 4.

Whatever feels good, you can walk around to that rhythm, just practicing it.

Understanding Tempo

Rhythm can speed up or slow down, and that is the tempo of the song.

• So when someone talks about the tempo, it's basically how fast or slow it is.
• Ballads tend to be slower than dance music.

For example, consider a classic disco tune like "Car Wash":

"You might not ever get rich, but let me tell you, it's better than digging a ditch."

You can hear that it's got more tempo and pace. In contrast, some of the songs we're working on in the course are more ballad-like, which means they tend to be slower with longer phrases.

The Four Beats in a Bar

Now, often as a singer, we refer to the four beats in a bar, which are known as crotchets.

• These four beats are counted as:
  • 1 and 2 and 3 and 4.

When singing, sometimes we focus on the offbeat, which occurs on:

• and 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and.

Coordinating Rhythm

To start embodying that, I would say do a stamp and then a click or a clap, whatever you're comfortable with:

• 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and
• 1 and 2 and 3 and 4.

This might be difficult to coordinate if you're not used to it.

Physicalizing Rhythm

Another way of doing it is to walk around:

• Just do a 1 and 2 and 3 and 4.

You can use whatever space you have and just learn to physicalize and embody that rhythm.

Time Signatures

There's another thing called time signatures.

• The four-four time we talked about consists of four crotchet beats in a bar, which is what we started with:
  1. 1, 2, 3, 4.

You can also have three crotchets in a bar, which is called waltz time:

• 1, 2, 3
• 1, 2, 3.

For example, the song "Natural Woman" has groups of three:

"Looking out on the morning rain, I used to feel so uninspired."

Emphasizing the Offbeat

Another thing that happens when we sing pop or soul music is we often think about the rhythm being on the 2 and the 4. For one of the songs we're going to work on, "I Need a Dollar," this is true:

"I need a dollar, a dollar, a dollar is what I need."

Join in:

• 1, 2, 3, 4
• 1, 2, 3, 4.

Click or clap as you join in:

"I need a dollar, a dollar, a dollar is what I need."

Finding Your Rhythm

Just play around with where you feel the pulse of something. This is a great way to get your ears and body attuned to rhythm.

A good way to explore it is to simply dance.

• Nod your head,
• Tap your foot,
• Whatever feels natural.