01-01-05 Time Signatures in Simple Flashcards
Explain a beat
A beat is a repeating musical pulse.
Explain a measure
A measure is unit of grouping beats.
Explain a bar line
A bar line is a line that separates measures.
Explain a double bar line
A double bar line indicates the end of the movement of piece.
Explain a time signature
A time signature indicates how many beats there are in one measure and what rhythmic value gets one beat (known as the beat unit).
Duple metre
Two beats per measure
Triple metre
Three beats per measure
Quadruple metre
Four beats per measure
Explain beat division and subdivision
Where each beat is divided into equal half. E.g. Each beat in simple meter divides into two equal beat divisions, or four equal beat subdivisions.
In a simple time signature, what numbers can the bottom number be?
2, 4, 8, 16
What time signature is known as alla breve or cut time?
2/2 time
What is an anacrusis?
An anacrusis (also called pickup or upbeat) is a partial or incomplete measure that begins some pieces. If there is an anacrusis, the final measure will be shortened so that the anacrusis and the final, shortened measure together equal the length of one regular measure. An anacrusis is often one beat long.
Downbeat
The first beat of each measure.
The downbeat is normally a:
Strong beat
The last beat of a measure is normally a:
Weak beat
