A Metric Modulation Analysis in the song “Mister” by Anika Nilles
A Musical Text Analysis
Keywords:
metric modulation, rhythmic, structure, Anika Nilles , groove, analysis , drum set , music educationAbstract
Anika Nilles’s Mister offers more than just technical drumming—it delivers a rhythmic
experience that is rich, complex, and full of nuance. One of the techniques she uses to achieve
this is metric modulation, a rhythmic shift that subtly alters the listener’s perception of musical
time without changing the actual tempo. This study explores how metric modulation is applied
in the bridge leading up to the drum solo, particularly between bars 92 and 101. Using a
qualitative approach and score-based music analysis, the research focuses on how the
transition from regular quarter notes to quarter-note triplets creates an illusion of acceleration
that heightens musical tension. Data were collected through audiovisual observation, rhythmic
transcription, and literature review on contemporary rhythmic theory. The findings suggest
that metric modulation serves not only as a structural and expressive device, but also as a
powerful pedagogical tool. By learning this technique, students can begin to understand
rhythm not merely as a numerical pattern, but as a dynamic, lived experience—one that can be
shaped, manipulated, and deeply felt. As such, “Mister” becomes not just a performance piece,
but a meaningful resource for learning complex rhythm in modern music education.
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Media Sosial
Anika Nilles. (2017). “Mister” [official video]. YouTube.
Anika Nilles. (2024). Fun metric modulation practice! Great for times when you can't sit on a full kit. Instagram.
Drumeo. (2019). Anika Nilles - Performing "“Mister”". Facebook.
Ollie Woods Drums. (2020). Anika Nilles Drumeo Festival Performance - Drum Transcription. YouTube.
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