Phrase Length

The length of a phrase is determined by the number of stressed syllables (feet) it contains.

Tetrameters

A tetrameter, containing four feet, is the most common phrase length because it fills two bars of compound meter (e.g., 4/4 or 6/8),
where each bar contains two accented beats.

Trimeters

A trimeter, containing three feet, requires one silent foot to fill two bars.

Dimeters

A dimeter, containing two feet and filling one bar, usually occurs when a tetrameter splits into two sub-phrases.

Heptameters

A heptameter, containing seven feet and requiring one silent foot to fill four bars, usually occurs when a tetrameter and a trimeter
combine to form one, continuous phrase.

Pentameters

A pentameter, containing five feet, requires one silent foot to fill three bars, and three silent feet to fill four bars.