What is a Hemiola? - Music Theory

Learn what hemiola is all about. In this music theory lesson, we explain how the hemiola works and listen to what it sounds like. A hemiola is a rhythmic device that will make any music in triple time sound more interesting. Hemiola can only be used in a piece that is set in triple time e.g. three crotchet or quarter note beats to the bar. It happens when the rhythm is temporarily organised into groups of two beats so one hears one-two, one-two, one-two, when actually the rhythm fits the triple metre as one-two, three-one, two-three. Music in triple time can often sound predictable, and hemiola is a great way of avoiding such predictability. Watch this music theory lesson and you will soon be fluent in the use of this clever rhythmic technique.

🕘 Timestamps
0:00 - Introduction to hemiola
0:25 - What is a hemiola?
2:27 - What does a hemiola sound like?

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[shireenwong]

Thank you sir! You have explained the hemiola very clealrly

[MyJB]

Crystal clear. Used in Jazz Waltzes at times. This will also avoid a visit to my family doctor! Thank you.

[krzysztofmazurkiewicz]

No need to go to the doctor? But the doctor needs to see you! I've turned the age of 60 last week and I must say, I always wanted to be able to play an instrument, read and understand music. My parents didn't want me to go to music school because "music wouldn't buy me bread". So I became a doctor (which also turned out to be very exciting) and bought more bread than we could eat. And a keyboard! So now it's time for music at last! It's not that I know nothing about the music. I can even put my hands on a keyboard, play chords and a simple tune over them. But I'm sure you know that sort of "musicians" and that's certainly not the place where I want to stay.
Last week I came across your channel and instantly loved it. I've just swallowed the first twelve piano lessons, but I understand that to learn
my hands the proper position and shape (or muscle memory, as we doctors tend to call it) needs to take more time, so I decided to remain on this level for a while or as much as it takes to feel comfortable.
In the meantime, I take theory lessons with you or other YouTubers. (And now, finally to the point). In this lesson, you gave us a nice and clear idea of a hemiola in rhythm. But this raised a question in my head, "Would it be even more interesting if the left hand played chords of crotchets, i.e. proper three beats per bar? I figured out a simple progression: F, Gmin, C, F, Dmin, Gmin/E, C, F, etc. but I can't play it both hands so I don't know if it makes any sense or is just a nightmare. Changing chord every two beats when a time signature is 3/4 must be an odd thing, but I would love to know your answer.
Cheers from Poland.

[calistapost]

Thanks! I was watching the Dvořák violin concerto played by Hillary Hahn interview and she talked about the hemiola in the theme of the piece and how the beat wasn’t what you thought it was and when you said it displaces the accents and I see why she said there was a hemiola because she accents every other beat and it made me understand the piece so much better.

[pranavmakhijani]

Thanks Gareth! For an amazing explanation

[paulinewarjri]

The best explanation of what a hemiola I 've heard yet. Thank you Gareth.

[davedrozario]

Thank you, sir, that was an awesome explanation. simple and short. thank you once

[zaftgeraldine]

Super helpful thank you! I am going to try this in a composition.

[ur-l]

hahaha Thank you! I certainly don't need to go to see a doctor! haha That was very relieving and great expression. :)

[lucylunser]

this helped me so much with my music theory homework, thank you!

[adagio]

This is a good explanation! Thank you sir,

[ayanabananamusic]

I finally understand hemiolas! Thank you!

[hjyouthorchestra]

Dr. I have hemiola! hahahah thank you for your brilliant teaching method!

[joynkindness]

Thanks for the music lessons. I marched in D.C. in 2007 with a sign that said everyone matters. now, it's everywhere in some form. have pic proof. all rights reserved

[midnightlands]

Is there a similar music theory concept towards evening out odd bars of say, 5 and 7? Neil Peart from Rush seems to play in even bars across odd times in songs like Limelight, Red Barchetta etc.

[JillianDKelly]

thank you for this. hoping this will help get me one step forward to acing my theory test!

[davidalen]

marvelously clear explanation. thank you sir.

[furioussmashcast]

Great job explaining! It helped me understand quickly!

[HannahEmilyVoice]

Thank you so much, I kept thinking it is like a trill