Music Theory AQA - Rhythm and Metre (Area of Study One)

Metre: 

•  A unit of measurement

•  Pattern made by the beats of a bar. They can be regular, irregular or free (totally random)

Augmentation and Diminution

Augmentation:

The rythm of the melody is stretched

Diminution:

The opposite to augmentation

Tempo

Largo - Very Slow (40-60 beats per minute)

Adagio - Slow (60-70 b/p/m)

Andante - Walking Pace (70-100 b/p/m)

Moderate - Moderatly Fast (100-120 b/p/m)

Allegro - Fast (120-140 b/p/m)

Vivace - Very Fast (140-160 b/p/m)

Presto - Extremely Fast (160-200 b/p/m)

Simple and Compound Time

Simple Time: With two, three or four basic beats - 2,4  3,4  4,4

Compound Time: Where each main beat can be split into three little ones - 6,8   9,8   12,8

Triplets

Three notes played in the space of two

Syncopation and Drum Fills

Syncopation: Off Beat

Drum Fills: Improvised links on the drums between phrases

Polyrhythm

More than one rythm played together

Rhythm

Individual durations of notes