rhythm

Rhythm

How sounds and silences are organized in time.

Beat

The steady pulse that can be felt underneath music, even when a sound does not happen on every pulse.

Measure / Bar

A group of beats organized together, usually with the first one receiving the strongest emphasis.

Syncopation

When a sound is emphasized in an unexpected place, such as on a weak part of the pulse or between pulses.

Meter

The repeating organization of strong and weak beats in music.

Time signature

A symbol that shows how many beats are expected in each measure and what type of note receives one beat.

Duple meter

A repeating beat pattern organized in groups of two, usually felt as strong then weak.

Triple meter

A repeating beat pattern organized in groups of three, usually felt as strong then two weaker beats.

Quadruple meter

A repeating beat pattern organized in groups of four, usually felt as one strong beat followed by three weaker beats.

Simple meter

A beat organization in which each beat is normally divided into two equal parts.

Compound meter

A beat organization in which each beat is normally divided into three equal parts.

Tempo

How fast or slow the music moves.

Metronome marking

A written indication that gives an exact musical speed using a number.

Beats per minute (BPM)

The number of beats that occur during one minute.

Accelerando

A direction telling the performer to gradually increase the speed.

Ritardando

A direction telling the performer to gradually decrease the speed.

Tempo I

A direction telling the performer to return to the speed used at the beginning.