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Year 11 - Music

Using rhythmic devices

Composition exemplars: advanced techniques

Unit Summary

Pupils analyse exemplar compositions to explore advanced compositional techniques including rhythm, texture, timbre and interaction between parts. They develop understanding of how composers create interest, contrast and clarity within ensemble writing.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to analyse how a composer uses rhythmic devices effectively, and can use some of these in your own composition.

Key Notes

  • Rhythmic devices can be effective for creating interesting musical ideas, adding variety and developing ideas.
  • Common rhythmic devices include syncopation, polyrhythm, ostinato and anacrusis.
  • In some styles, using cross rhythms, hemiolas, diminution and augmentation can be very effective.
  • To choose rhythmic devices, consider your desired musical effect as well as what devices are most idiomatic.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • polyrhythm: multiple different rhythms playing at the same time
  • cross rhythm: a polyrhythm in which two or more of the rhythms 'conflict' and feel like they have a different pulse
  • hemiola: when three notes are played over the duration of two or vice versa, creating the feeling of tempo change
  • syncopation: where a rhythm emphasises notes in between the main beats
  • diminution: where the notes in a melody or rhythm are all shortened by the same proportion (e.g. in half)

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • It is important to use lots of different rhythmic devices.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the lesson in two key points.

Rhythmic devices can be effective for creating interesting musical ideas, adding variety and developing ideas. Common rhythmic devices include syncopation, polyrhythm, ostinato and anacrusis.

2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'polyrhythm'

multiple different rhythms playing at the same time.

3. Correct this common mistake.

Mistake: It is important to use lots of different rhythmic devices. Correction: It is more important to use a few rhythmic devices that are effective and idiomatic for the style, rather than using lots of different rhythmic devices.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 11 Music guide library.