Idiomatic rhythms around the world
I can identify idiomatic rhythmic features of key Western and non-Western styles.
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- Year 11
- AQA
Idiomatic rhythms around the world
I can identify idiomatic rhythmic features of key Western and non-Western styles.
Copyrighted materials: to view and download resources from this lesson, you’ll need to be in the UK and
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Many styles around the world are defined by idiomatic rhythms.
- Some of these are linked with specific styles, such as skank (reggae), chaal (bhangra) and scotch snap (Celtic folk).
- Others have their roots in specific regions, but are used in many styles, such as the clave and tresillo rhythms.
- Some are not specific rhythms, but types of rhythms, such as swing, free rhythms and driving rhythms.
Keywords
Driving rhythms - fast, repeated rhythms that create a sense of energy
Clave - a five-note syncopated rhythm with various forms; the most common form is the son clave
Tresillo - a three-note rhythm that is the same as the ‘3’ of the son clave
Chaal - the name commonly given to a particular distinctive rhythm played on the dhol in bhangra
Free rhythms - when free rhythms are played, they create no clear sense of pulse
Common misconception
Idiomatic rhythms are rhythms that are only used in a specific style.
Idiomatic rhythms are rhythms that are typically associated with that style, but can also be heard in different styles. For example, while the skank rhythm is very idiomatic in reggae, there are many other styles that also repeat off-beat quavers.
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