A common rhythm I've noticed.

[pgfan92]

A number of you may have noticed this already, but it seems that having three quarter notes in between two eighth notes is quite common, used a lot by Mozart, and occasionally by John Williams (mostly in the brass). A notable example of this is Mozart's 25th Symphony, it's used throughout most of the first movement, not in the brass though, but in the strings, despite being a rather awkward rhythm to play.

[pgfan92]

I wasn't aware it was used in popular music. Anyone know if Peter Gabriel (that's what the pg stands for in my username btw) has used this rhythm?

[Kaatza Music]

I can't think of any by PG, but the following oldies jump to mind:

The Letter
Love Her Madly

at least in the rhythm section.

Another common one in pop/rock has to be 2 dotted quarters followed by a single quarter note. It sets the kick after the snare on the on the first snare shot and with it on the second.

[pgfan92]

I'm not sure what the last part meant, but thanks for the examples! :)

[Reese]

What exactly do you mean by three quarter noter between two eighth notes?
Oh, now I get it. You mean a syncopated accompaniment figure in 4/4 right?


A number of you may have noticed this already, but it seems that having three quarter notes in between two eighth notes is quite common, used a lot by Mozart, and occasionally by John Williams (mostly in the brass). A notable example of this is Mozart's 25th Symphony, it's used throughout most of the first movement, not in the brass though, but in the strings, despite being a rather awkward rhythm to play.

[pgfan92]

Precisely, only that's just one form of syncopation, however, in the symphony I mentioned, this rhythm is in the main melody and the harmony's rhythm is rather straight forward.