Meter & Reading Time Signature
What is meter?
The basic rhythm of a musical piece.
What does tempo stand for?
The speed at which a musical piece is played.
What would you see on a piece of music to indicate the tempo should speed up?
Accelerando (accel.) OR animando (anim.)
What is a duple time signature? Where are the strong and weak beats?
It has 2 beats. The first beat is strong, and the second is weak.
What is beat?
A constant pulse or “heartbeat” that exists in most musical pieces.
What does the top of a time signature stand for?
The number of beats in a measure.
What is an example of a word for faster tempo?
Allegro, Allegretto, Presto, Prestissimo
What would you see on a piece of music to indicate the tempo should slow down?
Ritardando (rit.) OR rallentando (rall.)
What is an example of a song with a triple time signature?
Walz, minuet, or scherzo
How many beats would a quarter rest and dotted half note cover?
4 beats
What does the bottom number in a time signature stand for?
The type of note that counts for one beat value.
What is an example of a word for a slower tempo?
Adagietto, Adagio, Larghetto, Largo, Larghissimo
What words are used to indicate that a performer or musician can play at the speed of their choice?
Ad libitum / A piacere
Where are the strong and weak beats under a quadruple time signature?
The first and third are strong. The second and fourth are weak.
How many beats are in a measure with a 3/4 time signature?
3 beats
What is the purpose of a measure/bar?
It divides the pieces of music into (usually) pieces that carry equal amounts of beats.
What is a metronome, and what does it measure?
It is a device that ticks periodically. It measures the tempo of a piece.
What words are used to indicate that a performer or musician should return to the original speed of the piece after a ritardando, accelerando, or a section marked a piacere?
A tempo / in tempo
What is the difference between how we subdivide beats for a simple vs compound time signature?
Simple time signatures can divide beats into 2 parts, whereas compound time signatures divide beats into 3 parts.
How many beats would be in a measure with a 2/4 time signature?
2
Rank the following from largest to smallest: Beats, Measures/bars, subdivisions
Measures/bars, beats, subdivisions
What is the unit of measure on a metronome?
Beats per minute (bpm)
What would happen if you were going from a prestissimo tempo to an andante tempo?
Ritardando / rallentando / slow down
How would you move your hand if you were trying to direct a song that was in ¾ time?
1 (down), 2 (diagonal away & up), 3 (diagonal up & in)
Name the 5 main types of undotted notes from shortest to longest duration
Sixteenth note, eighth note, quarter note, half note, whole note