Rhythmic unit

A rhythmic unit is a durational pattern which occupies a period of time equivalent to a pulse or pulses on an underlying metric level, as opposed to a rhythmic gesture. Rhythmic units may be classified as:

Related Topics:
Durational pattern - Pulse - Metric level - Rhythmic gesture

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• Metric: even-note patterns, such as steady eighth notes or pulses.
• Intrametric: confirming patterns, such as dotted eighth-sixteenth note and swing patterns.
• Contrametric: non-confirming, or syncopated patterns.
• Extrametric: irregular patterns, such as tuplets.

:(DeLone et. al. (Eds.), 1975, chap. 3)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 
Rhythmic unit: References ►