Beat Reading Time Signatures and Meter 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a hemiola?
- A pitch that clashes with the key
- A rhythmic device implying two against three (Correct answer)
- A type of rest
- A dynamic marking
Correct answer: A rhythmic device implying two against three
A hemiola temporarily implies a different meter by grouping beats in two when three are expected, or vice versa.
Question 2: Which time signature has five beats per measure?
- 4/4
- 5/4 (Correct answer)
- 6/8
- 3/2
Correct answer: 5/4
5/4 time has five quarter note beats per measure, giving an asymmetrical feel.
Question 3: In 12/8 time, how many main beats are felt?
- 12
- 4 (Correct answer)
- 6
- 3
Correct answer: 4
12/8 is compound quadruple meter felt as four dotted quarter note beats.
Question 4: What does the term 'duple meter' mean?
- Two beats per measure (Correct answer)
- Two measures repeated
- Two notes per beat
- Two dynamic levels
Correct answer: Two beats per measure
Duple meter means there are two beats in each measure, as in 2/4 or 2/2.
Question 5: Which is an example of asymmetric meter?
- 4/4
- 3/4
- 7/8 (Correct answer)
- 6/8
Correct answer: 7/8
7/8 is asymmetric because its seven eighth notes cannot be evenly divided into equal beat groups.
Question 6: In 4/4 time, beat 3 is considered what?
- Primary strong beat
- Secondary strong beat (Correct answer)
- Weak beat
- Pickup beat
Correct answer: Secondary strong beat
Beat 3 in 4/4 is a secondary strong beat, weaker than beat 1 but stronger than beats 2 and 4.
Beat Reading Time Signatures and Meter 2
What is a hemiola?