hemiola

9.9

A rhythm in music where two beats are played in the time of three

noun
/ˌhɛmɪˈoʊlə/

Specialized

: hemiola

During the lesson, the teacher demonstrated how to incorporate hemiola into our compositions for a richer musical texture.

Examples

A similar concept is to apply these syllables when introducing hemiolas, mixed meters, and metric modulation.

Academic text (2013)
Before the actual exam in May, there should be a week of mop-up operations, including a review of common music terminology such as agogic and harmonic rhythm, hemiola, ostinato, pedal point, and other terms that will probably crop up on the multiple-choice questions.

Academic text (1993)
There is substantial use of syncopation and hemiola in the rhythms of many songs, and much music is intended to reflect the rhythm of life; in such cases, the rhythm leads the music.

Academic text (1995)
In the song, the artist skillfully used hemiola to create an unexpected rhythm that captivated the listeners.
The hemiola added a unique complexity to the melody, shifting the emphasis between two and three beats.

Synonyms

polyrhythm

vshemiola

Specialized

1 7.5

Two or more different beats played at the same time to make a more complex sound

focuses on a specific shift creating a three against two pattern

Surface Forms

hemiola singular

hemiolas plural

Etymology

Hemiola comes from a Greek word meaning 'one and a half' and uses the part hemi- meaning 'half', like in hemisphere. So a hemiola in music is like fitting 'one and a half' beats into the time for two, which is why it creates the feeling of three beats in the time of two.