BookatlasPiano Rabbit Hole: Improvisation Theory & Practice
6161 / 18210 · Workshop 44 — “Afro Blue”: 6/8, 3-Against-2, Hemiola, Polyrhythmic Independence, and Hearing Two Meters at Once← prev⊞ allnext →

44.17Level 5 — the hemiola

A hemiola is essentially a temporary reinterpretation of the beat grouping.

For example, music established as:

3+3

suddenly accents:

2+2+2.

The subdivisions remain unchanged.

But perceived meter temporarily flips.

This is enormously useful.