Rhythm & Metre Flashcards
Duration…
The length of the notes.
Define ‘rhythm’.
The combination and pattern of sounds around the best.
Semibreve…
4 beats.
Minim…
2 beats.
Crotchet…
1 beat.
Quaver…
1/2 a beat.
Semi quaver…
1/4 of a beat.
Pulse…
The steady beat.
Metre…
The pattern of the beats. Can be regualr, irregular or free.
Time signature…
Shows how many beats, and what type of beat is in a bar.
Triplets…
3 notes played where 2 notes should be.
Compound time…
Has 6, 9 or 12 as number of beats in bar.
Dotted rhythms…
Adds half the original value to a note.
Polyrhythm…
More than 2 rhythms played at the same time. It sounds like they fit together.
Simple time…
Has 2, 3 or 4 as number of beats in a bar.
Cross-rhythm…
2 contrasting rhythms played at the same time, sound like they don’t fit together.
Rubato…
When the performer speeds up or slows down for extra expression.
Hemiola…
A rhythm which has a ‘three against two’ feel. Used in baroque.
Tempo…
Speed of music.
Augmentation…
To make bigger.
Diminution…
To make smaller.
Drum fills…
Short drum solos to join up sections of music, or for the drummer to show off.
Bi-rhythm…
Two different rhythms from the same time signature layer at the same time.
Syncopation…
The strong notes are on expected beats, sounds ‘off-beat’. Used a lot in jazz music.
