Rhythm Ana­ly­sis

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The course is designed to interest Master students of various departments and programs, such as the performance programs (MAUT), composition (MAKP) and master theory program MATE. The different backgrounds and specialities of the participants enrolled will be taken into account during the course.

The course covers various approaches to exploring rhythmical aspects of music in theoretical, historical and aesthetical contexts. The course focuses on West-European tonal music in the 18th and 19th centuries but also relates to other musical styles such as modal, contemporary, and non-Western music.

Language of instruction: English.

Course coordinator: Ram Reuven.

On completion of this course, the student is expected to

• possess knowledge of analytical approaches to rhythm, both historical and contemporary
• be able to compare musical segments, pieces, and styles using multiple parameters that relate to rhythm
• be able to reflect on the aesthetic aspects of rhythmic organization
• demonstrate an insight concerning the correlation between rhythm analysis and interpretation
• be able to apply strategies of rhythm analysis in relation to music performance

The course explores the theoretical and cognitive elements of rhythmic organisation, compares their realizations in Western and non-Western music, and reviews their notational development in Western music. The course focuses on various historical and contemporary methods for analysing rhythm in relation to grouping, pitch structure, form, and interpretation.

The course is constructed of an introduction (3 lessons), acquaintance with five approaches to durational and metric analysis (6 lessons), rhythmic analysis using prosodic characterization (2 lessons), and one concluding lesson that includes student presentations. Following is a short description of the course’s twelve lessons.

1. Attendance. Attendance is mandatory for this course. This means that more than 20% nonattendance will normally cause the student to fail the course.
2. Assignments. The students will be given 3 or 4 analytical assignments on given topics during the course. At least one of them should be submitted in writing (approx. 1,200 words), and at least one should be exhibited as an oral presentation (approx. 15–20 minutes). Deadlines for submission and presentation are usually 14 days after the assignment is set.

All course requirements must be met in order for the student to be given a final assessment. The student will be judged on the basis of the learning objectives for the course. The assessment is expressed in the form of a pass/fail on the basis of an overall evaluation of the learning outcomes achieved by the student during the course. The rules of assessment also apply to reassessment.