ELEMENTS OF RHYTHM

Rhythms -is a term which denotes an aspect of a quality of movement that is sometimes
thought of as dance. When an individual move in response to a particular rhythm or music
we call the movements as rhythmic movements or rhythms. Structured forms which start
creative rhythmic movements are sometime called rhythms.
All movements are affected by the elements of rhythm. These elements which should be
learned and understood in relation to dance are: underlying beat; measure; rhythmic
pattern; tempo; accent; phrasing; and intensity.
Underlying Beat or Pulse Beat
The underlying beat is the steady continuous sound that is heard or felt throughout any
rhythmical sequence. This constant steady pulsation is sometimes called pulse beat. It exist
in all movements. It is this steady sound which serves as the constant unit of measure upon
which all rhythmic structure or relationship depends.
The underlying beat determines the time signature of a piece of music or movements.
Shown below is a line representation of constant sounds divided or grouped by vertical
lines:
Measure
Measure refers to the identical grouping of underlying beats. This group of notes is
between two bar lines.
Rhythmic Pattern
A rhythmic pattern is a definite groupings of sounds or beats related to the underlying beat.
A particular patters of unequal sounds or beats must fit within a unit of underlying beats.
Sometimes the rhythmic pattern is also called melody pattern because the rhythmic
pattern follows the words or melody. There is a relationship between the word pattern,
rhythmic pattern, and underlying beat.
Phrasing
A musical phrase is a group of measures that gives the feeling of unity. It can be likened to a
sentence or an idea in itself. Learning to identify or recognize phrases is essential to
learning and creating dances. The end of a phrase may suggest a change in direction or
movement.
Accent
Accent is the force or emphasis given to any one beat in a series of pulse beats in a
measure.
Tempo
Tempo is the rate of speed of the movement, music, or accompaniment. It may be fast as in
running; it may be moderate as in walking; or it may be slow as in ordinary sliding.
Intensity
Intensity is the quality of the movement or music. It refers to dynamics or force, such as
heavy and light.

Note Values, Note Patterns, and System of Counting

Musical Signs and Symbols
Note- Beat of Sound (WHOLE, HALF, QUARTER, EIGHTH AND SIXTEENTH)
Rest- Beat of Silence (WHOLE, HALF, QUARTER, EIGHTH AND SIXTEENTH)

Note Values, Note Patterns, and System of Counting

Knowledge of the values of notes and note patterns facilitate to a great extent the
attainment or acquisition of rhythmic skills.

Values of Notes and Rest in 2/4; 3/4; 4/4 Time Signature

Whole note 4 counts (dotted) 6

Half note 2 counts (dotted) 3
Quarter note 1 count (dotted) 1 ½
Eighth note ½ count (dotted) ¾
Sixteenth note ¼ count (dotted) 3/8

Whole rest 4 counts (dotted) 6

Half rest 2 counts (dotted) 3
Quarter rest 1 count (dotted) 1 ½
Eighth rest ½ count (dotted) ¾
Sixteenth rest ¼ count (dotted) 3/8
A dot (.) after a note receives one half the value of the note before it or on the preceding
note, thus a dotted half note has 3 beats.