Duration Flashcards
Test your knowledge of Duration terms
Beat
The constant underlying pulse in music
Rhythm
A pattern of long and short notes and silences
Tempo
The speed of the beat often measured in beats per minute (bpm)
Metre/Time Signature
How the beats are grouped (most commonly 3/4, 4/4 and 6/8)
Triplet
A group of three notes played in the time of two
Syncopation
Stress placed on the weak beats or off the beat
Augmentation
Repeating a rhythm, but the notes are twice as long as before
Diminution
Repeating a rhythm, but the notes are half as long as before
Swing
When the beat is divided into two uneven parts to create a bouncy, galloping feel
Rhythmic Ostinato
A repeating rhythmic pattern
Staccato
Short, detached notes
Accent
Extra stress placed on a note
Compound Metre
Beats that are grouped in multiples of 3 (e.g. 3/4, 6/8)
Duple Metre
Beats that are grouped in multiples of 2 (e.g. 4/4)
Irregular Metre
Beats that are grouped in a combination of 2s and 3s (e.g. 5/4 as 5=3+2)
