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