Rhythm & Tempo Flashcards
Irregular time signatures
These are most commonly used in 20th Century Music. It is a time signature that is not normally used such as 5/4, 5/7, 7/8 etc.
It makes the rhythms more interesting.
Accent(ed)
a musical symbol which means the musician needs to play the note louder, with more force.
Beat/Pulse
the basic beat in a music, the beat you could clap to.
BPM (beats per minute)
BPM indicates what the metronome tempo is.
On/Off the Beat.
Notes which are played on the strong beats of the bar as on the beat.
Notes which are played on the weaker beats of the bar are off the beats.
Repetition
when a musical idea is repeated.
Pause
When there is a pause in the music.
Drum fill
When a drum machine(s) is played above the main melody
Syncopation
Strongly accented notes played off or against the beat.
Time Signature
A time signature tells you how many beats are in a bar. (2,4 3,4 4,4 6/8)
Anacrusis
The note/sound that appears before the musical idea, almost opening us into the song.
Accel(erando)
Italian term used to describe the music speeding up.
Rall(entando)
Italian term used to describe the music slowing down in tempo.
A tempo
Used to describe the music going back to its original pace after an accel or rall/rit.
Rit(ardando)
Italian term used to describe the music slowing down.
