Music Theory: Rhythm and Meter Exam Review

Questions and Answers

Beats per minute (correct)

Beats per rhythm

Beats per measure

Beats per modulation

Beats divided into two equal parts

A single beat per measure

Beats divided into three equal parts (correct)

A pattern of alternating strong and weak beats

To syncopate the overall beat

To slow down the tempo

To emphasize certain musical elements (correct)

To reduce the rhythm's complexity

Entrainment Signup and view all the answers

Two beats Signup and view all the answers

Emphasis on unexpected beats Signup and view all the answers

Metric Malleability Signup and view all the answers

The listener's personal imposition of rhythm Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Absolute Tempo: Represents a specific tempo retained in long-term memory.
Accent: Highlights certain musical elements that the composer intended to emphasize.
Beat: Acts as an underlying rhythmic pulse that organizes music.
BPM (Beats Per Minute): Quantifies the tempo by measuring beats within one minute.
Compound Meter: Divides beats into three equal parts, commonly seen in time signatures like 6/8, 9/8, and 12/8.
Duple Meter: Characterized by two beats per measure, with time signatures like 2/4 and 2/2.

Entrainment: Refers to the synchronization of mental and physical rhythms with musical beats.
Hypermeter: Describes a higher-level metrical structure that exists beyond individual measures.
Inter-onset Interval (IOI): Measures the time interval between the onset of consecutive notes.
Maximal Pulse Salience: The most prominent beat that stands out in the music.
Measure: A time segment distinguished by a set number of beats.

Meter: Defines how beats are grouped and divided within the music.
Metric Malleability: The ability of musical passages to adapt to various metric contexts.
Pulse: Represents a sequence of consistent and equivalent stimuli that partition time into equal units.
Rhythm: The sequence of long and short notes that creates the musical flow.

Selective Attention: The listener's choice of which musical elements to focus on.
Simple Meter: Involves beats divided into two equal parts, fostering straightforward rhythmic structures.
Spontaneous Tempo: A personal natural pace, instinctively tapped without external influences.
Stress: The dynamic enhancement of a beat, which can occur on both accented and unaccented notes.

Subjective Rhythmization: The listener's natural inclination to perceive and impose rhythm.
Synchronization: The rhythmic alignment of timing between various musical elements.
Syncopation: A rhythmic emphasis that occurs off the expected strong beats, creating an unexpected feel.
Tempo: The overall speed or rate at which the music is played.
Temporal Invariant: Describes events that repeat at consistent intervals.
Time Signature: The notation indicating the number and type of beats in a measure.
Triple Meter: Features three groups of beats per measure, often creating a distinct rhythmic feel.