rhythmic unit

A rhythmic unit is a durational pattern which occupies a period of time equivalent to a pulse or pulses on an underlying metric level, as opposed to a rhythmic gesture. Rhythmic units may be classified as:Metric: even-note patterns, such as steady eighth notes or pulses.Intrametric: confirming patterns, such as dotted eighth-sixteenth note and swing patterns.Contrametric: non-confirming, or syncopated patterns.Extrametric: irregular patterns, such as tuplets.
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