The Elements of Rhythm Volumes I & II: An Overview of Binary Theory and Creation of the Fundamental Rhythm Patterns (Vol. I) and Relative Notation and Counting Syllables (Vol. II)
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Rollinson Publishing Company, United States
Our poster presentation introduces an overview to a binary approach to rhythm pattern theory that generates and categorizes the fundamental and finite number of building block rhythm patterns from which larger, more complex patterns originate. These materials are drawn from this author’s books, The Elements of Rhythm Volumes I & II (Rollinson Publishing Co., 2012).
Volume I utilizes 2n (superscript) to calculate the theoretical number of silence/sound possibilities for eight division levels of a single beat in measured time. 0’s and 1’s (representing silence and sound) are combined in a series of two-column matrices to generate the initial binary versions of these theoretical possibilities.
In a second series of two-column matrices, the 0/1 combinations are replaced with equal duration beat rest/note values (half, quarter, eighth, sixteenth, thirty-second) to illustrate actual music notation possibilities. These patterns are then written out in single music staff format.
The Binary Rhythm Pattern Indexing System (Vol. I) categorizes the evolution of the fundamental building block patterns relative to their beat division level and sequence of occurrence (e.g., the four possible 0/1 combinations at beat division level 2 are categorized as 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 (subscript), and can be subsequently identified in printed music).
Volume II explores relative notation and counting syllables, where the fundamental patterns are presented in multi-music stave format (i.e., an orchestral score). For example, patterns in 4/2 are also displayed in 4/4, 4/8, 4/16 and 4/32, to illustrate the relative nature of notation in expressing absolute sound shapes. Fundamental counting syllables are presented in stand-alone tables, with sounded notes underlined and boldfaced, allowing beginning students to articulate and experience the basic sound shapes and then progress with the development of their music notation reading skills.
The approach to rhythm pattern theory, categorization, and relative notation/absolute sound shape discussion presented in The Elements of Rhythm series may be employed by a wide range of musicians, educators, theorists, composers, ethnomusicologists, music therapists, and drum circle facilitators, as well as researchers in the fields of music cognition, neuro-musicology, linguistics, and human movement studies.
Keywords:
rhythm pattern theory source material,
binary rhythm patterns,
fundamental building block rhythm patterns,
relative notation and counting syllables,
absolute sound shapes
Conference:
14th Rhythm Production and Perception Workshop Birmingham 11th - 13th September 2013, Birmingham, United Kingdom, 11 Sep - 13 Sep, 2013.
Presentation Type:
Poster Presentation
Topic:
Rhythm Production and Perception
Citation:
Aldridge
DR
(2013). The Elements of Rhythm Volumes I & II: An Overview of Binary Theory and Creation of the Fundamental Rhythm Patterns (Vol. I) and Relative Notation and Counting Syllables (Vol. II).
Conference Abstract:
14th Rhythm Production and Perception Workshop Birmingham 11th - 13th September 2013.
doi: 10.3389/conf.fnhum.2013.214.00025
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Received:
16 Jul 2013;
Published Online:
24 Sep 2013.
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Correspondence:
Mr. David R Aldridge, Rollinson Publishing Company, Los Angeles, California, United States, davidaldridgedrums@yahoo.com