Chapter 2

a general term used to describe the time-based or temporal organization of music. Rhythms can also be defined more specifically as musical durations of sound and silence.

a perceived grouping of strong and weak stresses in music.

a perceived stress in music that may also be called a pulse, though beats are more specifically considered as the primary, orienting pulses within a metric pattern.

the manner in which the parts or layers of a piece of music relate to one another.

a pulse that is felt at two or three times the speed of the primary pulse within a meter.

a pattern of stress in which each beat possesses two equal beat divisions.

a pattern of stress in which each beat possesses three equal beat divisions.

a pulse below the level of the beat division.

a meter possessing two beats.

a meter possessing three beats.

a meter possessing four beats.

the first beat in a metric pattern, which receives the most accentual weight.

the final beat within a meter, which usually possesses the least accentual weight of any beat.

the speed of a piece of music or rate at which its beats are perceived.

a single, complete instance of a metric pattern that is also known as a bar.

a single, complete instance of a metric pattern that is also known as a measure.

a vertical line serving as the notational boundary of a measure.

a fraction-like notational symbol containing numbers that refer to amounts of rhythmic units in order to indicate a meter within a score.

a note or rest that lasts for four beats in common time.

a note or rest that lasts for two beats in common time.

a note or rest that lasts for one beat in common time.

a note or rest that lasts for half of one quarter note in common time.

a note or rest that lasts for one quarter of a beat in common time.

the ovular part of a note in music notation, which is placed on the staff to indicate pitch. The note head may be open or filled in, which aids in the specification of the note’s duration.

the thin, vertical line connected to the note head in music notation, which may point upward or downward depending on the note head’s positioning within the staff.

a thick, horizontal line used to connect stems in music notation for the purpose of demonstrating rhythmic grouping.

a notational symbol signifying a duration of silence in music.

a notational symbol that is added to a stem to indicate a note of relatively short length (when beams are not used).

a clef also known as the percussion clef that is used to notate non-pitched music such as percussion parts.

an incomplete “pick-up” measure that takes place before the initial downbeat of a section or piece of music.

a notational symbol also known as an augmentation dot that increases the duration of a note by 50 percent.

a notated arc used to link and combine the durations of equally pitched notes, often from one measure to the next.

a notational symbol that is typically used to indicate that a passage is to be performed with a legato articulation.

a rhythmic phenomenon that takes place when an accent (or group of accents) conflicts with the underlying meter’s expected pattern of stress.

a notational symbol that tells the performer to emphasize a note with a sudden increase in volume.

a traditionally unaccented pulse within a meter, such as the second and fourth divisions within simple duple meter.

a rhythmic phenomenon that takes place when the established accentual pattern of a piece of music that is in two groups of three temporarily becomes regrouped into three groups of two or vice versa, typically at the end of a section leading into a point of conclusion.

a note value that is used to divide into three parts that which is normally divided into two.

a rhythmic grouping also known as a “borrowed division” that evenly divides other rhythms in ways that conflict with established metrical patterns.

the manner in which music is performed instrumentally or vocally, which is often determined by performance instructions that affect the technique and delivery of the individual notes and rhythms.

a notational symbol that instructs a performer when to breathe while playing.

a score marking that signifies the need for a rapid alternation of pitches.

a musical parameter that refers to the intensity, volume, and at times accentuation of the performance.

a score marking that tells the performer(s) to gradually slow the music down.

a score marking that tells the performer(s) to gradually increase the speed of the music.

a short and detached type of articulation that is indicated by a small dot above or below a note head (usually on the opposite side of the stem).

a smooth and connected type of articulation that is indicated by a slur in music notation.

a smooth and connected articulation that is indicated by a horizontal line placed above or below a note head.

a dynamic marking signifying the need for a very soft performance.

a dynamic marking signifying the need for a soft performance.

a dynamic marking signifying the need for a moderately soft performance.

a dynamic marking signifying the need for a moderately strong or loud performance.

a dynamic marking signifying the need for a strong or loud performance.

a dynamic marking signifying the need for a very strong or loud performance.

a score marking signifying a sudden change in dynamic level.

a score marking indicating the need for a sudden, forceful accent on a specific note.

a dynamic marking signifying the need for a gradual increase in volume.

a dynamic marking signifying the need for a gradual decrease in volume.