CHAPTER 2 Rhythm and Meter: Musical Time
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Music is propelled forward in time by
a. harmony. c. texture.
b. rhythm. d. timbre.
2. What is the element of music that organizes movement in time?
a. rhythm c. harmony
b. melody d. form
3. The basic unit of rhythm that divides time into equal segments is called the
a. meter. c. beat.
b. syncopation. d. accent.
4. Beats that are more strongly emphasized than others are said to be
a. minor. c. accented.
b. major. d. metrical.
5. Organizing patterns of rhythmic pulses are called
a. offbeats. c. syncopations.
b. meters. d. polyrhythms.
6. Meter is marked off in groupings known as
a. phrases. c. cadences.
b. measures. d. chords.
7. The first accented beat of a measure is called a(n)
a. syncopated beat. c. upbeat.
b. simple beat. d. downbeat.
8. The metric pattern in which a strong beat alternates with a weak one is called ________ meter.
a. triple c. quadruple
b. duple d. compound
9. Which meter would MOST likely be associated with a march?
a. duple c. quadruple
b. triple d. compound
10. In triple meter, the strongest pulse occurs on
a. the first beat. c. the third beat.
b. the second beat. d. all beats equally.
11. The repeated rhythmic pattern in which an accented beat is followed by two unaccented beats is called ________ meter.
a. duple c. quadruple
b. triple d. compound
12. Meters in which each beat is subdivided into three rather than two are known as ________ meters.
a. simple c. compound
b. complex d. unequal
13. In sextuple meter, the principal accents usually fall on
a. beats 1 and 3. c. beats 2 and 4.
b. beats 1 and 4. d. beats 3 and 6.
14. The patriotic song America (“My country, ’tis of thee”) is an example of ________ meter.
a. duple c. quadruple
b. triple d. compound
15. Which of the following songs is in sextuple meter?
a. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star c. America, the Beautiful
b. Greensleeves d. America (“My country, ’tis of thee”)
16. A weak beat in a measure is called a(n)
a. offbeat. c. accent.
b. syncopation. d. upbeat.
17. When a song begins on the last beat of a measure, it is said to begin with a(n)
a. offbeat. c. polyrhythm.
b. syncopation. d. upbeat.
18. The deliberate shifting of the accent to a weak beat or an offbeat is called
a. rhythm. c. syncopation.
b. meter. d. compound meter.
19. The simultaneous use of two or more rhythmic patterns is called
a. polyrhythm. c. additive meter.
b. syncopation. d. compound meter.
20. Music that moves without a strong sense of beat or meter is called
a. compound. c. nonmetric.
b. additive. d. irregular.
21. Which meter is traditionally associated with dances such as the waltz and the minuet?
a. duple c. quadruple
b. triple d. compound
22. Which meter has a primary accent on the first beat and a secondary accent on the third beat?
a. triple c. compound
b. quadruple d. sextuple
23. How is the beat divided in simple meter?
a. two c. four
b. three d. six
1. The element that organizes movement in time is called harmony.
2. Measures mark off groupings of beats, each with a fixed number that coincides with the meter.
3. Meter is the measurement of musical time.
4. Meter is an organizing principle shared by music and poetry.
5. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star is an example of triple meter.
6. Syncopation is a rhythmic characteristic of American jazz.
7. Syncopation is typical of African American dance music and spirituals.
8. Polyrhythms are characteristic of music of many African cultures.
9. All world music features a strong regular pulse or beat.
10. Music that moves without a strong sense of beat or meter is referred to as nonmetric.
11. Sextuple meter is an example of a compound duple meter.
12. The beat is divided into three for simple meter.
13. The first accented beat of each metrical pattern is called the upbeat.
14. Regular vertical lines through the staff are called measure or bar lines.
15. The poet Robert Frost invented meter.
ESSAY
1. Describe the way rhythm, beat, and meter work together in music.
2. Describe the rhythmic complexities that characterize the music of several world cultures.
3. Describe the difference between simple and compound meter. Provide an example of each.
4. Why is rhythm considered the most fundamental element of music?