Triplets/Duplets/Quintuplets

a. Three (triplet) in the space of two

b. Two (duplet) in the space of three

c. Five (quintuplet) in the space of four

d. Three against two; two against three

Irregular Meters

Irregular (or asymmetric) meters have upper numbers that are not divisible by 2 or 3, such as 5, 7, or 11. Irregular meters are often composites of more standard meters. For example, 5/4 can be thought of as 3/4 + 2/4 or 2/4 + 3/4.

Similarly, 7/8 can be considered 3+2+2, 2+2+3, or 2+3+2.

Other rhythmic techniques

Hemiola

A hemiola plays with the ambiguity of the rhythmic subdivisions of 6/8 and 3/4. The result is music that appears to shift between duple and triple meter.

Changing Meters

Changing (or mixed) meters are regular patterns of meters that change across the bar line, such as 2/4 + 3/8.

Irregular and changing meters may be notated in a simplified manner by remaining in the same meter and using off-beat accents. The example below is performed the same way as the mixed meter example above.

Polyrhythm is the subdivision of beats into varying rhythmic patterns. The use of two different meters at the same time is known as polymeter.

Practice

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