Rhythm:  Focused listening

In the previous section of the course we explored memorable melodies and briefly looked at the three defining features.  This section is dedicated to defining feature #1: Rhythm.

In this lesson we’ll cover:

1. Listening to examples
2. Using a defining feature to start composing

Rhythmic feature as a starting point: listening to examples

If you’re just starting out with melody-writing, using a rhythmic feature is a great place to begin.  Focusing on rhythm can give drive and energy to a tune, as well as memorability and scope for development.

In this lesson we’ll look at and listen to some examples of melodies with rhythmic defining features, and then discover how to use these as starting points for composing.

A melody with a rhythmic feature as its defining feature is one that contains a distinctive rhythmic cell, which is repeated and gives the tune character.

What’s the character?

For each example below write down two or three adjectives to describe the overall character of the melody.  You may wish to refer to the list given in the previous lesson.
Then we will explore how each rhythmic feature gives the melody its character.

Example #1 Dance of the Knights by Sergei Prokofiev

This is the rhythm of the main theme (heard from 00:05):

Dance of the Knights from the ballet, Romeo and Juliet, is a strong, memorable theme.  Whilst the melodic shape (triadic) and instrumentation add to the tune, the repeated dotted rhythm is what defines the melody and evokes the menacing character.

Example #2 The Ring Goes South theme from Lord of the Rings by Howard Shore

This melody is one of Howard Shore’s most memorable themes from the Lord of the Rings, and accompanies Frodo and the newly-formed fellowship of the ring, as they set off on their quest.

Whilst there are several other musical elements which contribute to the effectiveness of this tune (e.g. melodic shape and instrumentation), it is the repeated dotted rhythm figure that evokes a sense of majesty and heroism.

Example #3: Danse Negre from African Suite by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

Here is the rhythm of the main melody (heard from 00:08)

The dotted rhythm at the start of bars 1-3 gives energy and purpose to the melody.  Imagine if the dotted rhythm was replaced with a pair of quavers – the character would be very different.

2. Using a defining feature to start composing

We’re now going to use one of the defining features identified above as a stimulus for composing a melody.  For now we’re just going to clap or play the rhythm and next lesson we’ll start to compose.

Dotted rhythm

Click on the audio clip below to hear the rhythm:

Try it yourself

Clap or play a few times the rhythmic cell used in ‘The Ring Goes South’ theme from Lord of the Rings.  You may wish to use a metronome to help keep in time.  Here is an online metronome.

How did you get on?  In the next lesson we’ll compose a musical idea based on this rhythm, so it will be helpful if you are confident playing it.