1.2 Pulse, Tempo, and Meter

L E A R N I N G   O B J E C T I V E S

1. Definitions of the elements of rhythmic organization.
2. Perception of Tempo and commonly used terms.
3. Mapping out meter (time signatures): the perception of Simple and

Compound Time.

4. How these elements interact in music.

We perceive the organization of time in music in terms of three fundamental
elements,

Pulse

,

Tempo

, and

Meter

. Use prompts to assist you in understanding these

elements:

•

Pulse

—“beat”: the background “heartbeat” of a piece of music.

•

Tempo

—“rate”: the relatively fast or slow speed at which we perceive

the

pulse

in a piece of music.

•

Meter

—“ratio”: how durational values are assigned to represent the

pulse

are organized in discrete segments in a piece of music.

Pulse and Tempo

Pulse

4

, or

beat

, is the regularly recurring underlying pulsation that we perceive that

compels music to progress through time. Pulse makes us react

kinesthetically

to

music: in other words, it compels motion. We tap our feet, we dance, we march, or
we may just “feel” the pulse internally.

In a piece of music, some durational value is assigned to be the pulse. All other
durations are proportionally related to that fundamental background pulse.

Tempo

5

(Latin:

tempus

-“time”) is the rate (or relative speed) at which the pulse

flows through time. This is determined by numerous methods:

1. A metronome marking: for example, MM=120 means the pulse

progresses at 120 beats per minute (two beats per second). Often, in
practice, the background durational value will be drawn and assigned a

4. Pulse (or beat) is the regularly

recurring background
pulsation in music.

5. Tempo is the rate at which we

perceive the pulse in time. This
is indicated by metronome
markings, pulse value
markings and terms.

Chapter 1 The Elements of Rhythm: Sound, Symbol, and Time

20