RHYTHM (Pue,141, measure, proportion), in Music, is Time; first, In a limited sense, as Ili the relative proportions of notes in a single ear; and, secondly, in a more general sense, as in the relative propor tion of a number of bars in any given portion of a composition, as hi either half of a minuet or of a znareh. Rhythm is the most im portant const:tuent of music ; without it inarticulate sounds are unproductive of any musical effect. [31este.] In melody, that is, a succession of measured sounds, notes are the component parts of a bar, and bars are the component parte of a strain, or musical period, or phrase. The due relative proportion of all theso is absolutely necessary In the formation of a good musical composition; without it, says time who seems to have possessed a most discriminating and refined taste In the art,— n Hew sour sweet music Is When time is broke, and no proportion kept I" Richard IL Musical Rhythm, in Its limited sense, divides a bar into 2, 4, 8, &c. or 3, 0, 12, &e. equal parts ; the former is binary measure, the latter ternary. In its more general sense it divides a strain, a phrase, or by
whatever name the subdivisions of a composition may be designated, into equal portions of 2 or 4, &c. or 3, 0, &c. bars, or measures ; and some writers have admitted a rhythinus of five bars. An intimate acquaintance with the nature of rhythm, whether considered in its relation to music or poetry, is essential to the accomplished composer ; without a full knowledge of this he is perplexed by doubts, and guilty of errors which lave too often brought reproaches on the art, when they ought to have fallen on the pseudo-artist. Our limits however will not allow us to extend this article; and wo refer the reader, particularly the professional one, to a learned and able disquisition on rhythm in Burney's vol. L, p. 71 ; to Callcott's Musical Grammar,' where much practical information from Riepel and other German writers is to be found; to Kolltnan on Harmony ; ' and more especially to Reieha's Traitd de Mdledie.' [Punssz ; Tine.]