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The study of melodic rhythm is probalby THE most important element one could focus on, even if my theories about it are wrong. Carefully constructed bricks such as these are indeed the way to compose minimally folklike music.
The only things about it that were not mentioned is that they do not have to start on the downbeat and where you start will affect where you stop. I normally compose instrumental music but the terminology of popular music is relevant here. The "Chorus" should end on a rhythmically important position.
That's different for a 4 measure phrase than a 2 measure phrase. So, if I started my rhythmic example on the down beat and wanted a two measure phrase, then we would have to truncate the rhythm at beat 3 of the second measure or another strong rhythmic position such as that.
Of course this is in relationship to the other section of music, the "verse". If the chorus ends on a somewhat weaker rhythmic position than on beat three, then it probably doesn't make much sense to end the verse an a similarly strong or even stronger position.
Any examples you get from me will all be related to popular styles such as rock, pop or hip hop. This is the only composition forum where everyone, including the moderators focus on requiring posts be in a different form and not on the current content.
The post about ties was not in response to you Cowboy.
Anyway, knowledge about melodic rhythm applies equally to both classical and pop only the melodic lines are longer in classical music.
Frankly, I don't care to give examples from the classical repertoire. Many young people will have had more exposure to popular music. It's important to build on a student's prior knowledge not force them to accept my prefered styles within the western canon.
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