What Is Harmonic Rhythm? Things To Know About This Tempo
HARMONIC RHYTHM – In this topic, we will now know something in music theory that is known as the harmonic rhythm or the harmonic tempo.
As mentioned above, also known as harmonic tempo, it refers to the rate at which there is a change of chords (sometimes known as chord progression or harmonic progression) in a musical composition or peace.
Hence, the passage in common time (4/4 time signature) with a flow of sixteenth notes and chord changes in every measure is considered having a slow harmonic tempo but fast musical rhythm .
On the other hand, a fast harmonic tempo would have a trickle of half notes, twice a measure of chord changes, and a slow musical rhythm.
How people described harmonic tempo?
- William Tempo
- It is “the duration of each different chord…in a succession of chords”
- Joseph Swain (2002)
- It is “simply that perception of rhythm that depends on changes in aspects of harmony”
- Walter Piston (1944)
- It is “the rhythmic life contributed to music by means of the underlying changes of harmony. The pattern of the harmonic rhythm of a given piece of music, derived by noting the root changes as they occur, reveals important and distinctive features affecting the style and texture.”
A strong harmonic tempo is best described by:
- strong root progressions
- emphasis of root positions
- weak contrapuntal bass motion
- strong rhythmic placement
- relatively longer duration.
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