Music Theory Unit 2: Rhythm, Meter, Organization

Anacrusis

pick up note before music

Agogic Accent

accent created by elongating a note

Metric Accent

beats that are made strong by the meter

Syncopation

emphasis on normally weak beats

Triplets/Duplets

rhythms borrowed from another meter

Irregular Divisions

irregular rhythms not borrowed from another meter

Hemiola

a rhythmic pattern where two beats are perceived in the time normally occupied by three beats, creating a feel of syncopation.

Cross Rhythms

rhythmic structures where two or more contrasting rhythms are played simultaneously, creating polyrhythmic textures.

Meter

the basic rhythmic structure of a piece of music, defined by the pattern of beats and their division into measures.