Listen Chapter 1
Simple Meter
A meter in which the main beats are not subdivided, or are subdivided into two, e.g., 2/4, 3/4, 4/4.
Compound Meter
A meter in which the main beats are subdivided into three, e.g., 6/8.
adagio
Slow
moderato
moderate
allegretto
on the fast side, but not too fast
andante
on the slow side, but not too slow
Measure/Bar
In music, the unit of meter, consisting of a principal strong beat and one or more weaker ones.
Duple Meter
A meter consisting of one accented beat alternating with one unaccented beat.
Triple Meter
A meter consisting of one accented beat alternating with two unaccented beat.
presto
very fast
Meter
A background of stressed and unstressed beats in a simple, regular, repeating pattern.
Metronome
A mechanical or electrical device that ticks out beats at any desired tempo.
Beats
The regular pulse underlying most music; the lowest unit of meter.
Syncopation
The accenting of certain beats of the meter that are ordinarily unaccented.
Rhythm
The aspect of music having to do with the duration of the notes in time; also applied to any particular durational pattern.
Tempo
The speed of music, i.e., the rate at which the accented and unaccented beats of the meter follow one another.
Accent
The stressing of a note - for example, by playing it somewhat louder than the surrounding notes.
allegro
fast