Dissertation Index
Author: Lopes, Eduardo Title: Just In Time: towards a theory of rhythm and metre Institution: University of Southampton Begun: unspecified Completed: March 2003 Abstract: Many musicians (whether composers, performers, or writers) see rhythm as the most fundamental and indispensable element of music. But paradoxically, the general recognition of the paramount importance of the durational parameters of music (rhythm and metre), ended up working against them: the 'naturalness' of rhythm and metre made theorists feel too confident that their own aesthetic preferences reflected the essence of these parameters. The result is the subordinate position attributed to rhythm and metre by traditional music theory, which seeks to understand them in relation to pitch structure. This thesis instead proposes a purely durational approach which assesses the operation and qualities (mainly salience and kinesis) of rhythm and metre, and their interaction with other music parameters. The proposed model is supported by a series of experiments and illustrated in three analytical case studies. Keywords: theory, analysis, perception, rhythm, metre Contact: R. da Igreja Velha, 145-1D 4465-173 S. M. Infesta Portugal Phone: 00 351 933434346 Email: ejtlopes@yahoo.co.uk |