Music Theory Basics and Rhythm

Beginning music theory can be overwhelming. This music theory basics article will help you see the forest for the trees when it comes to rhythm. All the numbers and 1/8th notes or 6/8 or 4/4 etc...well, you know what I mean!

This article is a supplement for my guitar students. If you're here from a "music theory" search and you play a different instrument, no worries :-) Welcome! At the end of the day, it's about making music. The purpose of this article is to simplify all those details so you can see the overall picture. Without the overview, the details are meaningless. Even if you can pass the theory exam at your local music conservatory it doesn't mean you'll make better music.

But if you understand what the music theory really points to, chances are good that you'll make much better music. It's like learning a new language. In school they teach you a bunch of grammar. It may get you started, but you don't feel like you can really converse until you actually go somewhere and have to speak the language a bit. Same with music. All the theory can overwhelm you if you don't simplify things and put them in perspective. That's one of the reasons this article is titled Music Theory Basics.

I can't possibly cover it all in this article, but I'll do my best to point out the common errors. Sadly, these errors come from the methods by which music is taught. One of the most prevalent areas of confusion is with Rhythm and Timing.

Rhythm

Most people don't know the difference between rhythm and meter. And they get confused with meter. What's 3/4? What's 4/4? What's 12/8? This is because they are taught to think about it instead of just feeling it.

Here's a list of music theory basics relating to rhythm and meter...

• Meter is a steady pulse that is felt. It's not necessary to hear it. Like in classical music. Even though there's no drums we still feel the pulse.
• Tempo is the speed of that pulse. It's usually within the range of a person's walking tempo. Left right, left right. Anything from a slow walk up to a brisk jog. Even better, think of dancing.
• Pulses are felt in groups of 2 or 3. The famous song "Happy Birthday" is in 3. "Twinkle Star" is in 2. What, it's not in 4? Well, that's just music notation...2+2 = 4. Same thing. Tick tock like a clock.
• There are 2 types of meter. Simple and Compound. The songs and examples listed above are Simple Time. When each basic pulse is divided into 3 ( an odd number ), you get Compound Time. An example of this is "House of the Risin' Sun."
• In Simple Time, these basic pulses are also subdivided. But it's into 2 or 4( even numbers).
• One more consideration is whether the pulse is "straight" time or "swing" feel. Most traditional folk music and classical is "straight". Again, tick tock like a clock. Hip Hop is a "swung" 16th note feel. This means the pulses are divided into 4 and are loose and uneven. Another common groove is called a Shuffle. This is a swung 1/8th note feel. The nitty gritty explanation of this is beyond the scope of this article. Don't worry. Just play. And count out loud! It'll come to you :-)
• Rhythm is a layer superimposed on top of the meter. It's not an even pulse. The even pulse is the "canvas." Think of the word Mississippi. The word has a rhythm. The accent is on the 3rd syllable. It's painted on a Simple Meter.
• Oh yes! I almost forgot. Many songs do not start on beat 1. There's a pick-up or "anacrusis." With "Happy Birthday" it's the word "happy."

Still confused or overwhelmed? Don't try so hard to figure it out. The best way to get this information is to listen to music and try to find the pulse. Tap it with your hands or feet. Count out loud. Don't worry if you're wrong or right. Just do it. If you play an instrument make it a habit to count out loud when learning new songs. And ask yourself if the song is in Simple or Compound Time. If Simple, is it in 2 or 3? Are the subdivided beats in 2 or 4? That's it!

OK. So you came to this page expecting to learn some kind of secret formula ;-) There are certainly some more areas of misunderstanding in music theory that I could be writing about. But for now, I chose rhythm and timing because it's confusing for so many people. Even professional musicians. They just happen to be in the category of lucky individuals who do it intuitively. Rhythm and meter are the most basic of music theory basics!

Thanks for tuning up. I hope this article on music theory basics has helped you see the forest for the trees with rhythm and timing. All the best,

Dave

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