Original version
Journal of New Music Research. 2020, 49 (4), 349-361, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09298215.2020.1767655
Abstract
Previous studies have revealed uneven duration patterns at the sixteenth note level of samba. In the present study, we investigated the influence of tempo on such sixteenth-note patterns in a performed samba groove.The results revealed an uneven duration pattern in all tempi. Interestingly, the shortest note becomes relatively shorter and the longest relatively longer as the tempo increases. We suggest that the differences in relative durations between tempi reflect the need to maintain the samba sixteenth note ‘template’ in all tempi: producing the samba ‘feel’ requires that relative durations have to be adjusted to tempo.