2. 1. Definitions
2. The importance of pulse
Rhythm in the musical trinity
The order of music in the Christian life
3. How pulse affects communicating Truths
Fast and slow tempi
4. Introductions should establish pulse clearly
3. Pulse: an emphasis or movement
Rhythm: the arrangement of pulses (notes and rests)
around a beat
Meter: a consistent beat pattern
(simple, compound, triple, duple), which is defined by
beats per bar
Subdivision: the practice of breaking down rhythms
into smaller units
Tempo: the speed of the beat (measured in bpm)
4. The pulse is a sign of life – man is living, music has life
In the same way, breath is a sign of life. Man
breathes, music also breathes.
As musicians, it is very important to develop our
rhythm skills (activity)
Why?
Its importance lies in how man was created by God
6. Our bodies have internal rhythm, a pulse
A pulse is necessary and good, but only in its proper
place
No pulse = dead
Overly visible pulse = sick
Underlying pulse = healthy
7. “… music needs to exhibit a flow, an overall feel for
continuity, that moves progressively and irresistibly from
beginning to end. It is not intended to hammer and drive
a musical pulse into the mind…”
from Music & Ministry (p.93)
8. First Second Last
spirit soul body
melody harmony rhythm
dominant secondary controlled
from Music in the Balance, F. Garlock & K. Woetzel, (p.63)
9. But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection:
lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I
myself should be a castaway.
10. Rhythm in music affects our body
Rhythm is good, but only if it is under control
Rhythm should be subject to the melody
We must master rhythm in the same way that we must
master our bodies
11. ‘pear’ quarter note
‘ap-ple’ two eighth notes
‘pine-ap-ple’ three eighth notes
‘wa-ter-me-lon’ four sixteenth notes
12. Many aspects of rhythm work together to convey truth.
These include:
tempo
rhythmic values (e.g. lots of eighth notes or lots of half
notes)
time signature
Example: Amazing Grace
13. Generally, slower tempi encourage reflection or
meditation and faster tempi encourage joyfulness or
zeal. Moderate tempi work best for most songs.
Examples: Glory to His Name
When playing for congregational singing, it is
important to always choose a tempo which best
reflects (or enhances) the thoughts of the song
14. Pianists and musicians should already ‘feel’ the tempo and
pulse before they start playing
Pianists have a very important role in this area
A hesitant or uncertain introduction can negatively affect
the singers and congregation
1 Cor. 14:8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who
shall prepare himself to the battle?
Through our ministry, we are ‘calling’ God’s people to worship
God
This demands confidence in God’s enabling, not in self ability
15. 1. Practice your introduction
2. Know your tempo beforehand
Sing it in your head
3. Work with your song-leader
Talk about what speed they are most comfortable singing
4. Keep it simple
5. Keep the beat steady
6. Master Tip: Play the dominant (5th) note of the key in the
LH before the first beat of the bar (in C major, this would
be G)
16. In order to identify the pulse/beat in a hymn, we must
determine what the base grouping is
The base grouping is the smallest group of eighth
notes that will fit into a beat according to the time
signature
(this is either 2 or 3 eighth notes)
17. EG. the smallest group is 2 – hence, there are FOUR
beats
EG. the smallest group that divides 9 is 3 –
hence, there are THREE BEATS
18. But what about 6 8?
6 8 is grouped into THREE, because 3 4 already groups
them into TWO
19. Finding the beat requires knowing how to group the
eighth notes
The table below shows how many beats are in each
time signature
Let’s try beating these out together
2 beats 3 beats 4 beats
2 4 3 4 4 4
6 8 9 8 12 8
20. In groups, compose a short 8 bar rhythmic piece with
at least 3 different rhythms, using various body
percussion (clapping, tapping, clicking, stomping,
etc.) Notate your composition on a blank piece of
paper. Aim for variety and don’t forget to use rests.
In groups, pick three hymns and identify their
following rhythmic characteristics;
Time signature
Appropriate tempo
Meter (how many beats per bar)
21. In groups, identify what character or mood would best fit
the following hymns, and what tempo you would choose.
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
Holy, Holy, Holy
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Since Jesus Came Into My Heart
Come Thou Fount
How Great Thou Art
To God Be the Glory
Whole group
We’re going to sing a hymn/gospel song together at a slow
tempo, then a fast tempo
