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Music Concepts M-R
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Melisma | A vocal embellishment where many notes are sung to the one syllable |
| Melodic ostinato | A repeated melodic pattern |
| Melody | A linear series of pitches set to a particular rhythm |
| Membranophones | Any instruments whose sound source is a stretched vibrating membrane (animal skin or synthetic material) |
| Metre | The pattern of the beats’ accents |
| Mezzo staccato articulation | A playing technique which results in successive notes being semi-detached from each other |
| Modal tonality | A general term applied to music based on a mode |
| Moderato | Commonly suggesting a medium speed, it expresses restraint |
| Modes | The various scales in which medieval and Renaissance music were written |
| Modified strophic form | A version of strophic form where the music of the occasional stanza is changed to fulfil the need for variety |
| Monophonic | A term describing the texture of a single unaccompanied feature layer |
| Mordent | A three-note flutter used to embellish a single note |
| Motif | A fragment of a melody whose rhythm and contour are perpetuated in repetitions at various pitches |
| Ornaments | Melodic and rhythmic decorations added to tunes to make them more intricate, interesting and expressive |
| Ostinato | A repeated musical pattern |
| Parallel harmonies | An effect created when each note of a melody is harmonised at a constant distance |
| Pedal bass | Astatic bass part under changing chords |
| Performance medium | The type of ensemble chosen by the composer or arranger to deliver the music |
| Phrases | The sections of a melody encompassing the notes between actual or implied breaths |
| Pitch | The concept of music which refers to the arrangement of sounds in terms of their frequency and includes all aspects of melody and harmony |
| Pitch placement | The position of melodies in terms of how high or low they are played |
| Polyphonic | A textural relationship where there are two or more feature layers playing contrapuntally |
| Polyrhythm | The intricate sound of two or more different rhythms played simultaneously (at different pitches or on contrasting instruments) |
| Polytonal music | Music which has more than two distinct key centres at once |
| Pulses | The divisions of a beat |
| Quadruple metre | A description of metre where the beats are accented in regular patterns of four |
| Rallentando | A gradual slowing of the tempo |
| Range | The distance between the highest and lowest notes of a melody, instrument or voice |
| Register | A particular area of the range of an instrument or voice |
| Riff | A melodic ostinato whose use varies according to whether it is played in jazz or rock styles |
| Rhythm | The organisation of the music’s sounds and silences usually expressed in relation to the beat |
| Rhythmic cells | Short patterns of rhythms which are the musical equivalent of words in language |
| Rhythmic ostinato | A repeated rhythmic pattern |
| Rhythmic unison | Occurs when (despite many different pitches) the rhythm of two or many layers is the same |
| Rhythm section | The chord, bass and rhythm instruments which supply the accompaniment in most style ensembles. The parts are unified by a strong rhythmic relationship |
| Role | The musical function of a sound source or musical layer |
| Rondo form | The structure of music with many distinct sections, alternating with a return to the first |
| Root-note | The foundation note of a chord |
| Rubato | A flexibility in tempo which creates expression |
Created by:
cguevara
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