Why I Play Beethoven: Reason #17: Disappearing Downbeats Take a moment and sing You aint nuthin but a hound dog, crying all the time. You cant help but feel the pulse at the words hound and time. These are the downbeats - they define the beginnings of musical measures, and help establish the mood and tempo. One of Beethovens most beloved tactics is his method of obscuring the downbeat. When done well, this tactic actually enhances the rhythms, making them energetic and driving. Throughout the opening of his first major work for solo piano, he exploits this tactic in every way: lightly establishing the meter, then completely dropping the accompaniment at the downbeat, leaving only a single melodic line to carry the pulse. He swings back and forth, establishing the downbeat just until the ear begins to be comfortable, and then abandons it again. Predictability leads to boredom quickly... but the rhythmic twists and turns here glue us to the music.
Posted on: Sat, 01 Nov 2014 21:24:50 +0000
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