RHYTHM vs. BEAT
An organized pattern of sound and silence.
Rhythm
A meter with two beats per measure, one strong and one weak.
Duple Meter
The speed of the beat in music.
Tempo
The system used to write music so it can be read and performed.
The number of horizontal lines on a musical staff.
5 lines, 4 spaces
The steady pulse in music that divides time into equal units.
Beat
A meter with three beats per measure, one strong and two weak.
Triple Meter
A tempo marking meaning "walking pace".
Andante
The oval-shaped part of a note.
Note or notehead
Lines added above or below the staff for notes too high or too low.
Ledger Lines
This part of music usually stays the same while rhythms change.
Beat
A meter with four beats per measure, one strong and three weak.
Quadruple Meter
A tempo marking meaning "very fast".
Presto
The vertical line attached to a notehead.
Stem
The clef commonly used for higher-pitched instruments and voices.
Treble Clef (g-clef)
What is used to create flow through time in music.
Rhythm
The musical term for placing accents on weak beats.
Syncopation
A term meaning to gradually slow down.
Ritardando
A dot that adds half the value of a note.
Dotted note
The clef commonly used for lower-pitched instruments and voices.
Bass Clef (f clef)
Two musical elements where one usually stays steady while the other changes.
Beat and rhythm
In a time signature, this number shows how many beats are in each measure.
Top number
The tool used to help maintain a steady beat.
Metronome
A curved line that connects two notes of the same pitch to combine their value.
Tie
A written version of music that shows all parts performed together.
Score