Question | Answer |
Tone: | A sound that has a definite frequency or is dominated by one definite frequency. |
Rhythm: | how music sounds are organized temporally or in time |
Legato- | Italian word meant tied together, means note to be sung smoothly when transitioning from note to note. |
Modulation- | the act of changing from one key to another. |
Notation- | system of writing music thru use of symbols. |
Staccato- | Italian word meaning detached, should be space between each note when sung, played. Notes are usually sung or played short and abrupt |
Binary Form- | A way of structuring a piece of music in two related sections, both are usually repeated. |
Ternary Form- | Way of structuring music in a three part structure usually noted A-B-A. |
Rondo Form- | Baroque period form, means return of original theme "motif" usual baroque pattern ABACADA. |
Art Music- | umbrella terms refers to musical traditions implying advanced structural and theatrical considerations and a written musical tradition. |
Folk Music- | transmitted orally or taught through performance and learned by hearing. Folk music thought to be close to life activities such as rituals, child rearing, and work. |
Popular Music- | accessible to the public and is circulated by mass media. |
Aria- | An expressive melody usually performed by one singer. |
Cantata- | Multi sectional vocals work, featuring solo, duet, choruses, accompanied by small chamber ensembles to large orchestra's. Product from the early Baroque period. |
Concerto- | a musical piece meant for a combination of voices and instruments, now generally a solo instrumentalist with orchestral accompaniment. |
Etude- | instrumental composition , considerably difficult, meant to perfect a certain skill. |
Fantasia- | instrumental work meant to seem spontaneous improvised by the performer. |
Fugue- | A polyphonic instrumental piece using the most rigorous of imitate techniques. Theme is stated in each part, and may be expanded and modified. |
Intermezzo- | is a composition that fits between other musical or dramatic entities. Ex in between acts of a play. |
Madrigal- | polyphonic vocal work usually written for four or five voices. Setting a pastoral poem to music, performed without instrumental accompaniment, and intended for secular uses. |
Mass- | The sung portion of a Roman Catholic liturgy. |
Motet- | polyphonic vocal work in sacred Latin text , intended for devotional use, no instrumental accompaniment. |
Nocturne- | instrumental piece usually for the piano meant to evoke emotions associated with the night. |
Opera- | a fully produced section for the theater who text is primarily sung, accompanies by instruments usually an orchestra. |
Oratorio- | Large musical composition including and orchestra, choir and soloists. |
Overture- | an orchestral work usually in 2-3 contrasting sections. Used as an intro to an opera or other dramatic pieces. |
Rondo- | multi-sectional work whose theme occurs over and over in a piece. |
Sonata- | multi-movement work either for one solo chordal instrument like a piano or for one or several solo melody instruments like the violin or cello. |
Suite- | multi-movement instrumental work for one or any combinations of instruments, or orchestra where movements are derived from certain dance forms. In the Baroque Era. |
Symphony- | musical composition usually for an orchestra, similar to the sonata. |
Variations- | often called theme and variations, employs the techniques of a musical idea, may be modified or elaborated on. |
Tone: | a sound with a definite frequency |
Consonance- | any two tones played together will sound pleasant or consonant |
Dissonance- | any two tones played together will sound unpleasant or dissonant |
Rhythm- | how music sounds are organized temporally or in time. |
Beat- | basic unit of rhythm,Measures or bars- groupings of 2-3 beats,Time measures= 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 6/8, and 9/8 top number refers to the number of beats in each measure the lower number represents what kind of a note represents a single beat. |
Tempo- | refers to rate at which a beat occurs types of traditional tempos |
Presto - | quickly, hurriedly |
Vivace - | lively, briskly |
Allegro - | cheerful, frisky |
Andante - | walking purposefully |
Adagio - | slowly |
Lento - | slowly, sedately |
Largo - | broadly |
Melody- | a succession of a pitch or tone ,has a "narrative" quality with a beginning a middle, climax, and an ending. In western art music melody is derived from |
Diatonic scale- | refers to a portion of the chromatic scale known to most do ra mi fa sol la ti do |
The first and last tones are in a special relation to each other, called an | octave - |
This tone (do) is also called | the tonic. |
The tonic, together with the fifth tone of the scale (sol), which is called the | dominant |
Motif- | Perceivable recurring fragment or succession of notes that helps construct the melodies and themes. |
Counterpoint- | simplest form of harmony featuring two melodic lines occurring simultaneously |
Harmony- | is the composition and progression of chords. Harmony did not exist in the west till about the 9th century. Three tones sounded together make a chord. |
Interval- | relationship of pitches between two notes. |
Cadence- | progession to resting point that release tension. |
Moving from one key to another in a single piece is called | modulation. |
Dynamics- | loudness or softness of sound. |
Piano - | soft |
Forte - | loud, strong |
Pianissimo - | very soft |
Fortissimo - | very loud |
Crescendo - | get gradually louder |
Decrescendo- | get gradually softer |
Contrast- | composers use contrasting timbres, tempos, rhythm to make the piece more interesting. |
Timbre- | refers to the color or quality of musical sound produced. |
Texture- | has two meanings- first, considered a component of orchestration-how many instruments are playing. In a compositional form it describes the number of musical pieces(voices). |
Monophonic | refers to a piece with only one part |
Several independent parts sounding at once are referred to as | polyphonic or contrapuntal. |
A piece that moves from chord to chord, without undue elaboration, or with a simple melody, is said to be | homophonic or chordal in texture. |