rhythm definitions - music GCSE

syncopation

accented/emphasised off beats

dotted notes

note + half its value

hemiola

where two groups of three are replaced by three groups of two

anacrusis

short phrase before the first strong beat (incomplete opening bar)

backbeats

accents on the second and fourth beats of a measure, commonly used in rock and pop music

off beats

weaker parts in a bar between main pulses (often 2 and 4)

on beat

notes that align perfectly with strong beats of bar

accent

note that is played with more emphasis

riff

short repeated pattern lasting short time (2/4 bars), (rock, pop & blues)

ostinato

short repeated pattern repeated throughout section/piece

straight

on beat

swung

quavers played unevenly (jazz)

polyrhythm

two or more well fitting rhythms played simultaneously

cross rhythm

two or more conflicting rhythms played simultaneously

triplets

three notes played in the time of two

diminution

phrase that repeats with notes halved each time

augmentation

phrase that repeats with notes double each time