Additive meter
Encyclopedia
In music, additive meter refers to a pattern of beats
that subdivide into smaller, irregular groups. This is opposed to "divisive" or "multiplicative" rhythms or meters, which are produced by multiplying some integer unit into regular groupings forming beats of equal length (London 2001). Such meters are sometimes called "imperfect", in contradistinction to "perfect meters" in which the bar
is first divided into equal units (Read 1964,). Additive meter is common in Eastern European musics, and contemporary compositions attempting to emulate such a sound. For example, a time signature
like 9/8 is normally subdivided as 3+3+3, or nine eighth notes with three to a beat. However, the composer
or conductor
may specify an additive meter for passages of music where it is more natural to conduct with a different pattern. Hence, a meter like 9/8 may instead be subdivided as 2+3+2+2 for musical effect; most commonly such an additive meter is used when accented
notes or syncopated
patterns do not match up with the normal subdivision.
Flamenco
music, for instance, is full of additive meter, particularly in rhythms of 10 (3+3+2+2). Alfred Reed
's Armenian Dances (Part I)
contains a movement written in the nonstandard time signature of 5/8, which can be conducted as either 2+3 or 3+2 depending on which is more musically natural.
Beat (music)
The beat is the basic unit of time in music, the pulse of the mensural level . In popular use, the beat can refer to a variety of related concepts including: tempo, meter, rhythm and groove...
that subdivide into smaller, irregular groups. This is opposed to "divisive" or "multiplicative" rhythms or meters, which are produced by multiplying some integer unit into regular groupings forming beats of equal length (London 2001). Such meters are sometimes called "imperfect", in contradistinction to "perfect meters" in which the bar
Bar (music)
In musical notation, a bar is a segment of time defined by a given number of beats of a given duration. Typically, a piece consists of several bars of the same length, and in modern musical notation the number of beats in each bar is specified at the beginning of the score by the top number of a...
is first divided into equal units (Read 1964,). Additive meter is common in Eastern European musics, and contemporary compositions attempting to emulate such a sound. For example, a time signature
Time signature
The time signature is a notational convention used in Western musical notation to specify how many beats are in each measure and which note value constitutes one beat....
like 9/8 is normally subdivided as 3+3+3, or nine eighth notes with three to a beat. However, the composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
or conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
may specify an additive meter for passages of music where it is more natural to conduct with a different pattern. Hence, a meter like 9/8 may instead be subdivided as 2+3+2+2 for musical effect; most commonly such an additive meter is used when accented
Accent (music)
In music, an accent is an emphasis placed on a particular note,either as a result of its context or specifically indicated by an accent mark.Accents contribute to the articulation and prosody of a performance of a musical phrase....
notes or syncopated
Syncopation
In music, syncopation includes a variety of rhythms which are in some way unexpected in that they deviate from the strict succession of regularly spaced strong and weak but also powerful beats in a meter . These include a stress on a normally unstressed beat or a rest where one would normally be...
patterns do not match up with the normal subdivision.
Flamenco
Flamenco
Flamenco is a genre of music and dance which has its foundation in Andalusian music and dance and in whose evolution Andalusian Gypsies played an important part....
music, for instance, is full of additive meter, particularly in rhythms of 10 (3+3+2+2). Alfred Reed
Alfred Reed
Alfred Reed was one of North America's most prolific and frequently performed composers, with more than two hundred published works for concert band, wind ensemble, orchestra, chorus, and chamber ensemble to his name...
's Armenian Dances (Part I)
Armenian Dances (Part I)
Armenian Dances is a musical piece for concert band, written by Alfred Reed . It is a four-movement suite, of which Armenian Dances comprises the first movement and Armenian Dances comprises the remaining three...
contains a movement written in the nonstandard time signature of 5/8, which can be conducted as either 2+3 or 3+2 depending on which is more musically natural.
Sources
- London, Justin. 2001. "Rhythm, §I: Fundamental Concepts & Terminology, (8) Additive Versus Divisive Rhythm". The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, second edition, edited by Stanley SadieStanley SadieStanley Sadie CBE was a leading British musicologist, music critic, and editor. He was editor of the sixth edition of the Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians , which was published as the first edition of the New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians.Sadie was educated at St Paul's School,...
and John TyrrellJohn Tyrrell (professor of music)John Tyrrell was born in Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia in 1942. He studied at the universities of Cape Town, Oxford and Brno. In 2000 he was appointed Research Professor at Cardiff University....
. London: Macmillan Publishers. - Read, Gardner. 1964. Music Notation: A Manual of Modern Practice. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, Inc.