Beats per minute
BPM
Synonyms
Beats per minute, BPM, Pulses per minute
Definition
Beats per minute. When we use this measurement we most define the resolution of the beat in 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, ó 1/32. This is the classic Grammy rhythmic speed in 4/4:
- ♩ = 120 BPM.
The same speed could be written in eight notes like this:
- ♪ = 240 BPM
BPMs, however, cause certain confusion when we're working with odd time signatures. It's important to understand that the choice of working with 1/4, 1/8 or 1/16 it's completely arbitrary and it's made only in regard to the composer's comfort at the moment of writing a sheet of music.
As explained on the rhythmic Claves section, the count of the smallest pulses necessary for a melodic or rhythmic figure on a concrete musical piece, es the adequate mesure of resolution for the beat in that particular piece.
The basic and most common operation on a polyrhythmic piece is to calculate the speed of the bar based on a voice's BPMs. In split polyrhythm, different voices share the speed of the bar, but not the speed of the beat or pulse.
The speed of the bar can be measured in Bars per minute or BarsPM.
