How is rhythm used in the control of tension and repose? Arts Essay

How is Rhythm Used in the Control of Tension and Repose?
Author's Name:
Institutional Affiliation:
Submission Date:
How is Rhythm Used in the Control of Tension and Repose?
According to Funes (1992), rhythm refers to everything involved in musical elements in time. Rhythm is accompanied by beats that may be softer, louder, longer, or shorter, depending on the song's type. Musical features that are found in rhythm include pace, tempo, meter, and rhythmic patterns. Funes states that for these rhythmical tools to work, the listener needs to have an aesthetic attitude (Funes, 1992). This attitude enables them to listen to music without involving their vivid thoughts, making them experience tension and repose. These rhythmical tools play a crucial role in controlling tension and repose as they allow constant fluctuations in the musical piece. For instance, through rhythmic patterns and musical meters, rhythm can control tension and repose. In music, a meter refers to musical time marking by either the two or three pulse units.
To demonstrate how meter brings an effect in tension and repose within a song, Giuseppe Tartini, known as a Symphony in Major Third Movement. In this song, the basic three pulse group's tempo runs following this order strong-weak-strong, while the bass basic pulse group runs following this order strong-weak (Funes, 1992).
Figure1: Showing the Basic Two Pulse Group of Bass
Figure 2: Showing the Basic Three Pulse Group of the Harpsichord
Based on the figures above, it is clear that the bass can play deeper notes followed by higher notes as it is controlled by the strong and the weak pulses. The strong and weak pulse is carried to the harpsichord and plays deeper notes followed by higher ones. After this section of the song is played for a few minutes, the listener is introduced to the harpsichord's basic three pulse group, which means a change is felt (Funes, 1992). The change in the meter count creates tension. On the other hand, the continuation of playing the three-meter unit counts the listener to experience repose. Therefore, this means that the constant change that happens to the meter groups makes the situation unfamiliar to the listener creating tension. In contrast, the repetition of the meter groups leads to repose.
According to Funes (1992), rhythmic patterns are crucial factors in the musical organization since they play a significant role in controlling repose and tension. When musical elements in a particular song remain for a long time in a similar state while others are undergoing a strong modification process, they make the listener experience repose (Funes, 1992). On the other hand, while these elements experience rapid variations making the rhythmic pattern unpredictable, they lead to greater tension for the listener. Funes indicates that different rhythmic patterns play a significant role in controlling repose and tension, including ostinato. Ostinato refers to a repeating rhythmic pattern heard in a particular song (Funes, 1992). Funes indicate that it is played in a piece twice in a section known as a norm, then it is switched back and f...