Explain what a 'hemiola' is

A hemiola is a rhymic device that moves music that was in triple time, into dual time. ( clap aloud counting 123123121212). So the chord changes are now happening every two beats, instead of every 3 beats. A great musical example of this can be found in "America" from West Side Story. "I like to be in"- triple time, "America"- dual time, and this device continues throughout the chorus of the song.It gives the listener or audience the impression that the music is speeding up.

Answered by Kirsten R. Music tutor

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