two-measure

Updated: May 24, 2025

Using a two-measure motive, which he announces at the very start, the singer works the material over and over, first in one harmonic mode and then in the other, frequently changing the form of the motive through embellishments or altered metric values, but always leaving an impression which harks back to the original motive.

Fay-Cooper Cole - The Tinguian: Social, Religious, and Economic Life of a Philippine Tribe

Then the drum was heard, "Túm-tum túm-tum túm-tum túm-tum " There was a volley of war-whoops, and out of the teepees dashed the Sanger Indians in full war paint. "Ki ki ki yi ki yi yi yi Ki yi ki yi ki yi yi yi!" They danced in exact time to the two-measure of the drum that was pounded by Blackhawk.

Ernest Thompson Seton - Two Little Savages : Being the adventures of two boys who lived as Indians and what they learned