The Hemiola

hemi·o·la Etymology: Late Latin hemiolia, from Greek
hēmiolia ratio of one and a half to one, from hēmi- + holos whole : a musical rhythmic alteration in which six equal notes may be heard
as two groups of three or three groups of two(Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

Early Baroque and Renaissance music sometimes includes a confusing measure – often the next to the last measure at the end of the song (or phrase) as a form of early syncopation.

In modern notation, it seems to be most common with music written in 6/4 time. When using 6/8 or 6/4 time, musicians often do not count all the way to six for each measure. Rather they group them into either two groups
of three or threes of two, with two groups of three probably being more common.

A hemiola is simply switching from two groups of three to three groups of two – while maintaining the same tempo if one were to count the measure in six. If when counting 6 counts, I tap my foot each time I count 1 in 1-2-3, 1-2-3, my tapping would be at a different speed than another person also counting 6 counts, but tapping his/her foot on each 1 of 1-2,1-2,1-2. Yet we would both complete the 6 counts at the same time. Note that one point of frustration is that conductors are often conducting in two threes, and sometimes are able to conduct three twos if all parts have a
hemiola. But some pieces only put a hemiola on some of the parts while the other parts continue with two threes.

Probably the one of the most effective songs for demonstrating this concept is “America” from Westside Story. If you tap with the accents in
the first measure, you would tap twice at the start of each triplet, and then in the next measure, you would tap three times for each quarter note, but at a different speed of tapping so that both measures take the same duration.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qy6wo2wpT2k&feature=related

You can hear the frequent use of hemiolas starting in the 3rd minute of this 7 minute You Tube video, when she starts singing “I like to be
in America” from America, Westside Story. (If the link doesn’t work, paste the site into the URL.)

An Open Email (Letter) to Amazon

Dear Sir,

I wonder if Amazon has any feelings at all about the integrity and effective use of the internet, or if Amazon's primary motivation to make money is so dominant that it obscures any other priority.

I am at Google, and do a search: "crumhorns for sale." And the number two link that comes up is Amazon. I am amazed. Could it be true that Amazon has crumhorns for sell. I click onto your site, skeptical, but willing to see if what you claim is true.

It isn't. You offer CD's with crumhorn music.

How can I be any more specific on a search engine? I put "crumhorn for sale" in quotes, and Amazon still twists it into what it has to sell -- regardless of what the user wants.

Anymore, I find that search engines are getting increasingly difficult to use because the various commercial giants have intervened to re-direct everything to their potential sales -- even if it is not even remotely close to what the individual wants.

I am more and more getting to the point where I feel it is a waste of time trying to use search engines, since I really can't seem to get past the various commercial monopolies, e.g. primarily Amazon.

I use to go to chat rooms, until the abuse become so pervasive, that it seemed futile to try to strike up a geniuine conversation.

I fear that search engines are going to be the next major tool on the internet that is subverted to the will of others.

I ask you: is this ultimately in Amazon's own best interest, if you chase away customers because they can't avoid you even when they actively seek to do so?

Do you understand that there are people out here who will hesitate to come to you when seeking a book, CD, or DVD because they feel so abused by you the rest of the time?

I suggest to you to be wary that you don't kill the goose that lays the golden egg.

If you are so aggressive to try to increase your percent of profits that you chase away your customers, you may some day discover that not only can you not increase the percentage of profits, you may find that there is actually a decrease in profits altogether.

I strongly urge you to use some self-restraint before you either kill interest by users in search engines altogether, or you entice the government to intervene, much as Congress finally intervened with large banks when credit card abuse finally went too far.

Amazon's response: (Note: I was surprised that part of it appears to have a genuine, personal response -- but then quickly reverts to form letter wording, e.g. the letter was referred elsewhere, but then wants to know if I consider that the problem has been resolved ...)

Hello,

I am sorry for any inconvenience caused.

I have forwarded your comments to the concerned department for review. We'll consider your feedback as we plan further improvements.

Thanks for taking time to offer us your thoughts.

We hope to see you again soon.

Did I solve your problem?

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Please note: this e-mail was sent from an address that cannot accept incoming e-mail.

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Best regards,

Sirisha Y.
Amazon.com
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