Rhythmic Ear Training
Touching on a variety of contemporary styles such as pop/R&B, jazz, fusion, Latin music, and classical genres as resources for weekly in-class analysis, transcription, and solfege exercises, this course enhances theoretical understanding, aural perception, and performance of rhythm in music. Emphasis is placed on accurate and meaningful interpretation and notation of a piece's rhythmic components, e.g., polyrhythmic percussion grooves, syncopated melodic lines, characteristic comping patterns, or large-scale harmonic rhythms. Furthermore, the cognitive process involved in the construction of a resultant metrical perspective will be discussed. Sight-reading and general rhythmic comprehension are challenged through a series of exercises and drills featuring odd-time patterns and polyrhythmic independence between the voice and the body, as well as advanced studies of mixed subdivisions. The intent is to strengthen internal coordination of multiple rhythmic voices, as well as sharpen one's precision and clarity when performing.