Music Terminology - Rhythm and Metre

Question 1

Regular Rhythm and Metre

Answer 1

There is a regularly recurring pattern/rhythm in the music.

Question 2

Irregular Rhythm and Metre

Answer 2

Rhythms and metrical pulse occur/are presented in irregular patterns and ways. This often plays with the expectations of the listener.

Question 3

Simple Time (Duple, Triple and Quadruple)

Answer 3

Duple, Triple and Quadruple Time refers to how many beats are in each bar; 2, 3 and 4 respectively.

Simple Time states that each of these beats can be further divided into 2 parts. For example, 2/4 is in duple time (2 beats a bar), the two crotchet beats can then be further subdivided into 2 quavers. Therefore, 2/4 is Simple Duple time.

Question 4

Compound Time (Duple, Triple and Quadruple)

Answer 4

Duple, Triple and Quadruple Time refers to how many beats are in each bar; 2, 3 and 4 respectively.

Compound Time states that each of these beats can be further divided into 3 parts. For example, 6/8 is in duple time (2 beats a bar). The two dotted crotchet beats can then be further subdivided into 3 quavers. Therefore, 6/8 is Compound Duple time.

Question 5

Odd Metres

Answer 5

Refers to time signatures that combine simple and compound time. For example, 7/8 time signature which is usually a grouping of 4 and 3.

Question 6

Additive Metre

Answer 6

Refers to a metre that is grouped in a specific, uncommon way. This will usually be indicated in the time signature. For example, the music could be “3+2+3/8”. This indicates that the pulse of the music is 3 quavers, followed by 2, followed by 3, as opposed to the usual 4+4 grouping.

Question 7

Cross Rhythms

Answer 7

A rhythm in which the regular pattern of accents of the prevailing meter is contradicted by a conflicting pattern and not merely a momentary displacement that leaves the prevailing meter fundamentally unchallenged.

Question 8

Rubato

Answer 8

“To Rob” time. For greater musical expression, the performer may stretch certain beats, measures, or phrases and compact others.

Question 9

Dotted Rhythms

Answer 9

A notes rhythm is extended by half (or one and a half times) its value.

Question 10

Tuplet

Answer 10

Grouping of notes in the space of a beat. This can range from duplets (2:3), triplets (3:2), quadruplets (4:3) all the way to nonuplets (9:8), etc.

Question 11

Syncopation

Answer 11

Syncopation is “a disturbance or interruption of the regular flow of rhythm”: a “placement of rhythmic stresses or accents where they wouldn’t normally occur”. This is usually on off-beats and can be tied over the bar.

Question 12

Accents

Answer 12

Metrical accents are the pulses within time signatures that are strong and weak. For example, in 4/4 time signature, beats 1 and 3 and strongest whereas 2 and 4 are weaker.

Question 13

Free Rhythm

Answer 13

Free rhythm simply means that the music does not divide into a regular pattern of strong and weak beats. It is often left to the interpretation of the performer.

Question 14

Isorhythm

Answer 14

Refers to a 13th Century musical technique using a repeating rhythmic pattern, called a talea, in at least one voice part throughout a composition

Question 15

Hemiola

Answer 15

A musical rhythmic alteration in which six equal notes may be heard as two groups of three or three groups of two.

Question 16

Polyrhythm

Answer 16

The simultaneous combination of contrasting rhythms in a musical composition. Unlike “cross-rhythm”, polyrhythms are usually only temporary within the music; cross-rhythms are a permanent feature.

Question 17

Swung Quaver

Answer 17

Refers to a jazz/blues practice where patterns of quavers are written as normal, however, they sound like a dotted quaver to semiquaver (triplet underpinning).

Question 18

Double Time

Answer 18

When the music speeds up by double it’s value