Music
Polyrhythm
2 or more rhythm patterns or accents in one piece
Bar
A group of beats separated by bar lines.
Backbeat
Accent on 2nd and 4th notes instead of the 1st and 3rd
Simple time
Based on simple or whole beats, like crotchets or minims. Usually 4 beats per bar.
Free rhythm
Describes music where the time signature cannot be determined and it is difficult to know where the regular accents occur.
Accent
Emphasis or stress on a particular chord. In 4/4 time the 1st and 3rd beats can be affected by this
Allegro
Fast tempo
Compound time
Is based on simple dotted beats such as dotted crotchets. It feels like three beats in the bar but the beats are quicker.
Multimeter
Many time signatures
Duration
Means how long something lasts.
Moderato
Moderate fast or slow tempo
Andante
Moderately slow tempo
Anacrusis
Note or notes occurring before the first beat of the first bar of the composition.
Presto
Really fast tempo
Vivace
Reasonably fast tempo
Rhythm
Refers to patterns of long and short sounds. Involves the grouping and organising of sounds and how the long and short notes are arranged.
Ostinato
Refers to repeated pattern of pitch or rhythm, In all or part of a piece.
Adagio
Slow tempo
Multimeter
Some pieces use numerous changes in time signatures in quick succession.
Rubato
Stealing part of the value of one note and pay it back on the next note or phrase.
Beat
The main time unit in a composition. Occurs on a strong accent. If you clap in time with the music you clap it.
Time signature
The way the beats are grouped together and measured. Used to show how many beats are in each bar and the duration of each beat.
Cross rhythm
Type of rhythm where two time signatures are played at the same time.
Lento
Very Slow tempo
Syncopation
When the accent is on the weaker beats. In 4/4, if the accent is not on the 1st and 3rd beat of a bar, then it is probably affected by this somewhere in the music. Can range from a simple backbeat to complex jazz rhythm patterns. Can be achieved by moving notes on to the weaker beats of the bar, or through ties, or by accenting notes that would not normally be accented.
Ritardando
When the music gets slower
Accelerando
When the music speeds up