Tag: music

Tempo n. the speed of interaction. Tempo is noteworthy because the term is regularly treated as a single truth, when in actuality it is highly relative to the participant and easily malleable. Tempo requires a standard to compare to. Does the waterfall pour 1 gallon per second or 4 quarts per second? The volume of… Continue reading Tempo

Syncopation n. the experience of weight (or emphasis) where it is unexpected. Syncopation requires a predictive, metered event, where there are groupings and expectations of moments to come. Syncopation is the defiance of these expectations. Comedians, storytellers, and rollercoaster engineers all utilize this technique to create novelty in time. see In Time, Meter, Beat

Rhythm n. a succession of moments of varying lengths. In music, there is a succession of notes, and rhythm is created when some of them are long and some are short. The rhythm can be predictable, falling into patterns, or quite random. Beat is foundational. Meter is structural. Rhythm is layered over and is relative… Continue reading Rhythm

Phrase n. a completed crusic gesture. A phrase is the successful crusic gesture (anacrusis–crusis–metacrusis). It proceeds with momentum, yearning-toward equilibrium. It is what Dewey describes as a “circuit of energy” that “moves toward a close” (Dewey, 1934, p. 42).

Meter n. beat patterned. Meter describes the hierarchical patterns into which beats fall. In music, the meter may be described as being “in 4” or “in 5” etc., meaning that the beats fall into regular groupings of 4 or 5 beats per set respectively. In somatic experience, the term is more general, pointing to any… Continue reading Meter

In Time n. the experience as it is happening, separate from the reflective experience. In time is the first assumption of Soma Literacy. Everything happens in time. This is not the “just in time” of catching your bus, but rather, the “Step In Time” that Bert sings about in Mary Poppins. The concept of in… Continue reading In Time

The Grand Pause n. an exaggeration of a suspended moment of silence. The Grand Pause is a term borrowed from music that names an exploitation of anticipation. It is the “pregnant silence.” The grand pause is not to be confused with stillness. This absence of sound is robust with yearning. It is absolutely active. The… Continue reading Grand Pause

Eurhythmic/Arrhythmic*adj. Eurhythmic is simply ‘with good flow’ whereas Arrhythmic is an absence of good flow. Users find it hard to engage deeply with artefacts where there is no growth no change, no narrative and only predictability. However change alone alienates users through a lack of coherence. Therefore, a smooth and seamless shift must be present… Continue reading Eurhythmic/Arrhythmic

Anacrusis–Crusis–Metacrusis n. the progression of the parts of any action. Anacrusis (Émile Jaques-Dalcroze & Rothwell, 1930) is the gesture- or yearning-toward. It is everything that is both preparatory and in motion toward a resolution. It is the first two syllables in the word Mississippi.It is the years of courting that builds to an engagement ring… Continue reading Anacrusis–Crusis–Metacrusis

Accent n. the distinct emphasis given to a moment in time. Accent is the term used to mark the impact of a given moment or beat. Accents are experienced as heaviness or lightness and add novelty relative to the surrounding moments. Most accents are experienced as augmentation; they add weight to the anticipated moment in… Continue reading Accent