Overview
This lecture explains how tempo influences musical genre, providing examples of typical tempo (bpm) ranges for several popular genres.
Genre and Tempo Relationship
- The genre (style) of music is affected by sounds, rhythm patterns, and especially tempo.
- Listeners often recognize genre partly based on tempo, informed by their music experience.
Typical Tempo Ranges by Genre
- Dub: typically 60–90 beats per minute (bpm).
- Hip-hop: commonly 60–100 bpm.
- House: mostly 115–130 bpm.
- Techno/trance: usually 120–140 bpm.
- Dubstep: typically 135–145 bpm.
- Drum and bass: commonly 160–180 bpm.
Exploring Tempo's Effect
- Changing only the tempo of a beat can make the same pattern feel like a different genre.
- Experimenting with tempo sliders helps understand how speed alters musical character.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Tempo — the speed of music, measured in beats per minute (bpm).
- Genre — a category or style of music defined by shared characteristics like tempo, rhythm, and sound.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Experiment: Adjust the tempo of a beat pattern and listen for changes in feel or genre.
- Review the tempo ranges for each genre to help identify or create music styles.