Rhythm Theory Research And Composition Practice Of Schillinger System Of Musical Composition

The Schillinger System of Musical Composition,founded by Joseph Schillinger(1895-1943),was designed to use mathematical processes as models to guide composers in the design of material for their works,including theories of rhythm,harmony,melody,and counterpoint.The system was forward-looking far ahead of its time,predicting new directions for musical composition and demonstrating a range of proven compositional tools that can still provide new perspectives and ideas for current musical composition practice today.Based on Schillinger’s Schillinger System of Musical Composition(SSMC)and other scholars’ extended research on his theory,this paper delves into the first part of "Schillinger’s System of Composition",clarifies the components of Schillinger’s rhythmic theory,and shows how the theory can be applied to today’s music composition in the light of the author’s own composition practice based on Schillinger’s rhythmic theory.The main part of this paper is divided into four chapters.Chapter one,Basic Rhythmic Theory,begins with an explanation of the basic concepts involved in Schillinger’s rhythmic theory and introduces the most basic rhythmic generation methods of the theory.Chapter two,Techniques for Generating Complex Rhythms,goes even further,showing the specific steps for generating some of the more complex rhythms and how the rhythm resultant is actually used in composition practice.The third chapter,Rhythmic Organization and Structure,focuses on the most extended "variation" technique in Schillinger’s rhythmic theory,and discusses some other ways of rhythmic construction.Finally,the fourth chapter,Composition Practice based on Rhythm theory,details the author’s practical application of Schillinger’s rhythmic theory to musical works in different contexts,and the author’s extension of its application.