Plural of hemiola, a rhythmic pattern in music where three notes are played in the time normally occupied by two notes.
From Greek hemi- (half) + -ola (diminutive suffix), literally 'half-measure,' describing a rhythmic relationship that has been used in music since medieval times.
Hemiolas create that thrilling 'hiccup' feeling in music where the rhythm suddenly feels syncopated—composers like Brahms and Mozart used them to make listeners' ears perk up with unexpected rhythmic tension.
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