In African music, the rhythmic aspect occurs in two basic metrical schemes: triple meter, and duple or quadruple meter.

The triple meter scheme is represented by the alternate division of the measure into three and two.  In 6/8 time, this would be notated as three quarter notes followed by two dotted quarter notes, or three eighth notes followed by two dotted eighth notes (or in the reverse order).  Examples of both are found in Debussy's
Les Collines d'Anacapri (from Preludes for piano, book one), mm. 49-65, especially mm. 57, 61, 62-63 and 64-65 (example, below).  The first dotted quarter is often replaced by an eighth rest and a quarter note; this is a common ostinato in African and African American musics.  At the rapid tempos of traditional African music, this latter form is almost indistinguishable from the first quadruple meter form described later.
Next - Origins of the Chaconne, continued

The Chaconne: Origins (continued)
 
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The Chaconne
Origins (continued)

Lester Allyson Knibbs, Ph.D.

Introduction

The Chaconne ---

Cadential Structure

Unitary & Binary Structures

Linear & Periodic Structures

Modules and Modalities

Structural Counterpoint

Modular Composition

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Toward Cadential Structure

In the Music of Bach

In Cadential Structure After Bach

In Symphonic Composition

In Twentieth Century Music


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