Glossary
2/4
A time signature indicating two quarter notes per measure, commonly found in marches and polkas due to its strong, duple feel.
Example:
The brisk tempo of a military march is perfectly suited for 2/4 time.
3/4
A time signature indicating three quarter notes per measure, frequently used in waltzes and other pieces with a flowing, triple feel.
Example:
The elegant 'Blue Danube Waltz' is a classic example of music in 3/4 time.
4/4 (Common Time)
A very common time signature indicating four quarter notes per measure, often written as a 'C' symbol.
Example:
Many rock anthems are written in 4/4 (Common Time), providing a solid, driving beat.
6/8
A compound duple time signature indicating six eighth notes per measure, felt as two main beats each divided into three eighth notes.
Example:
Many Irish jigs and sea shanties have a lively, lilting feel due to their 6/8 time signature.
9/8
A compound triple time signature indicating nine eighth notes per measure, felt as three main beats each divided into three eighth notes.
Example:
A slow, expressive ballad might use 9/8 time to create a gentle, flowing rhythm with three main pulses.
Anacrusis
A note or group of notes that occurs before the first full measure of a piece, starting on an upbeat.
Example:
The famous melody of 'Happy Birthday' begins with an anacrusis, starting on the upbeat before the first full measure.
Asymmetrical Meters
Meters where the beats do not divide evenly into groups of two or three, often resulting in irregular groupings like 2+2+3.
Example:
The progressive rock song used a challenging 7/8 asymmetrical meter, making it feel rhythmically unpredictable.
Beat Hierarchy
The concept that not all beats within a measure are equally strong, with the downbeat being the strongest, followed by other relatively strong beats, and then weaker beats.
Example:
Understanding the beat hierarchy in 4/4 time helps a drummer know to emphasize beat 1, then beat 3, over beats 2 and 4.
Bottom Number
In a time signature, this number specifies which note value (e.g., quarter note, eighth note) is equivalent to one beat or beat division.
Example:
For 6/8 time, the bottom number '8' signifies that an eighth note gets one beat division.
Compound Meters
Meters where each main beat naturally divides into three equal subdivisions, giving the music a 'triplet' or lilting feel.
Example:
The folk song's rhythm in 6/8 time is characteristic of a compound meter, with two main beats each dividing into three eighth notes.
Downbeat
The first and typically strongest beat of any measure, serving as the primary rhythmic anchor.
Example:
The conductor's arm always moves downward on the downbeat, signaling the start of a new measure.
Duple Meter
A meter characterized by having two main beats per measure, regardless of whether it's simple or compound.
Example:
A march in 2/4 time clearly demonstrates a duple meter with its two strong beats per measure.
Fraction Trick
A method to determine the note value that receives one beat by replacing the top number of a time signature with '1' to form a fraction.
Example:
Using the fraction trick for 2/2 time, you get 1/2, indicating a half note receives one beat.
Hemiola
A rhythmic device where a duple pattern is temporarily superimposed over a triple meter, or vice versa, creating a momentary shift in the perceived meter.
Example:
In Brahms's waltzes, you can often hear a hemiola where two measures of 3/4 briefly sound like one measure of 3/2.
Offbeats
The weaker beats within a measure that fall between the main strong beats, often creating rhythmic interest when emphasized.
Example:
In a reggae song, the guitar often plays on the offbeats, giving the music its characteristic laid-back feel.
Quadruple Meter
A meter characterized by having four main beats per measure, providing a steady and often strong rhythmic foundation.
Example:
Most pop songs are in quadruple meter, giving them a consistent four-beat pulse.
Simple Meters
Meters where each main beat naturally divides into two equal subdivisions, creating a 'straight' rhythmic feel.
Example:
A piece in 4/4 is a simple meter because each quarter note beat divides into two eighth notes.
Time Signatures
Symbols at the beginning of a musical piece that indicate how many beats are in each measure and what kind of note receives one beat.
Example:
The time signature 4/4 tells a musician there are four quarter notes per measure.
Top Number
In a time signature, this number indicates the total count of beats or beat divisions within a single measure.
Example:
In 3/4 time, the top number '3' means there are three beats in every measure.
Triple Meter
A meter characterized by having three main beats per measure, often associated with waltzes and other flowing styles.
Example:
The graceful flow of a waltz is defined by its triple meter, with three beats per measure.
Upbeat
The last beat of a measure, which often leads into the downbeat of the following measure, creating a sense of anticipation.
Example:
The singer took a breath on the upbeat before launching into the first word of the next phrase.