Music Theory OnlineThe Online Journal of the Society for Music Theory |
Volume 7, Number 1, January 2001
Copyright � 2001 Society for Music Theory
John Roeder*Pulse Streams and Problems of Grouping and Metrical Dissonance in Bart�k's "With Drums and Pipes" |
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KEYWORDS: rhythm, meter, pulse streams, polyphony, grouping, accent, metrical dissonance, Bart�k
ABSTRACT: Polyphony has many interesting rhythmic properties that do not obtain in textures that are modeled by most rhythmic theories. This paper invokes the concept of pulse streams to demonstrate how phenomenal accent and grouping are organized in a extended two-voice polyphony by Bart�k to create convincing form and process. The pulse-stream analysis is manifested audibly by Quicktime examples that combine audio playback, a scrolling annotated score, and the pulses played by percussion instruments.
Received 21 August 2000
Author's Note: The paper is organized into several
sections, most spanning several pages to facilitate rapid loading and viewing
over the Internet. These pages include audio examples accompanying
synchronized, scrolling scores that demonstrate the theoretical
constructs and analytical points of the text. Apple's QuickTime
plugin (version 3.0 or higher) is required to hear these examples.
The paper also contains larger analytical examples that require Adobe's Acrobat
Reader to be viewed. Much of the information on these larger examples is
also presented in the QuickTime examples, but readers who wish to gain
the greatest understanding of the analysis should print them.
Author-date references, tabulated at the conclusion of the paper, are
used in place of a footnote frame in order to maximize the available
viewing area on the screen. Editor's Note: If you encounter difficulty with the QuickTime movies, please click here for suggestions. |
John Roeder
School of Music
University of British Columbia
6361 Memorial Road
Vancouver, B.C.
V6T 1Z2 CANADA
jroeder@interchange.ubc.ca
Copyright � 2001 by the Society for Music Theory
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prepared by
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Updated 18 November 2002