The Cambridge Companion to Rhythm

An exploration of rhythm and the richness of musical time from the perspective of performers, composers, analysts, and listeners.

The Cambridge Companion to Rhythm examines rhythm and the richness of musical time from the perspective of performers, composers, analysts, and listeners. It surveys influential writings on the topic and considers the subject across a wide range of genres and cultures.One of the defining aspects of music is that it exists in time. From clapping to dancing, toe-tapping to head-nodding, the responses of musicians and listeners alike capture the immediacy and significance of the musical beat. This Companion explores the richness of musical time through a variety of perspectives, surveying influential writings on the topic, incorporating the perspectives of listeners, analysts, composers, and performers, and considering the subject across a range of genres and cultures. It includes chapters on music perception, visualizing rhythmic notation, composers' writings on rhythm, rhythm in jazz, rock, and hip-hop. Taking a global approach, chapters also explore rhythmic styles in the music of India, Africa, Bali, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Indigenous music of North and South America. Readers will gain an understanding of musicians' approaches to performing complex rhythms of contemporary music, and revealing insights into the likely future of rhythm in music.