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Music vocabulary · Rhythm, Meter and Tempo

Hemiola

Meaning in music, with examples

nounAdvanced term

In music, hemiola means: A rhythmic effect that groups the same span of time in a three-to-two relationship, such as three pairs of pulses against two groups of three.

In Turkish: hemiyol

How it is used

Used in music theory, analysis, rehearsal, and teaching to describe a temporary shift in accent or grouping without changing the basic pulse.

Example sentences

  1. During rehearsal, the conductor asked the strings to bring out the hemiola so the final cadence would sound more urgent.

    Here, hemiola means a brief regrouping of beats that creates extra forward motion and tension just before the phrase ends.

  2. In the article, the writer shows how the dance tune uses a hemiola between the chorus and verse without changing tempo.

    In this example, hemiola names the contrast in beat grouping, not a faster speed, so the pulse stays steady while the feel shifts.

Common collocations

  • create a hemiola
  • hear a hemiola
  • hemiola pattern
  • hemiola effect
  • rhythmThe pattern of long and short sounds and silences in music, and how they are placed in time against the beat.
  • beatThe steady pulse that you tap your foot to in a piece of music. Beats are grouped into bars, and their speed is the tempo.

More terms: Rhythm, Meter and Tempo

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