Question 1

DURATION

Irregular metre

Accepted Answer

A metre containing unequal beat groupings, such as 5/4, 7/8 or 5/8.

Check the time signature and group the beats, for
example 2 + 3 or 3 + 2 + 2.

Question 2

DURATION

Syncopation

Accepted Answer

Emphasis placed on normally weak beats or between the main beats.

Look for accents on weak beats, notes beginning
between beats or notes tied across strong beats.

Question 3

DURATION

Adagio

Accepted Answer

A slow tempo.

The word Adagio appears above the beginning of the music.

Question 4

DURATION

Andante

Accepted Answer

A moderately slow tempo, often described as walking pace.

The word Andante appears as the tempo marking.

Question 5

DURATION

Allegro

Accepted Answer

A fast and lively tempo.

The word Allegro appears as the tempo marking.

Question 6

DURATION

Presto

Accepted Answer

A very fast tempo.

The word Presto appears as the tempo marking.

Question 7

DURATION

Rallentando

Accepted Answer

Gradually becoming slower.

Look for rall. or rallentando.

Question 8

DURATION

Accelerando

Accepted Answer

Gradually becoming faster.

Look for accel. or accelerando.

Question 9

DURATION

Ostinato

Accepted Answer

A short musical pattern that is repeated continuously.

Find a rhythmic or melodic pattern repeated several times in the same part.

Question 10

DURATION

Tremolo

Accepted Answer

A rapid repetition of one note or rapid alternation between two notes.

Look for diagonal strokes through note stems or lines placed between two notes.

Question 11

PITCH

Drone

Accepted Answer

A continuously sustained or repeated pitch heard beneath other musical material.

Look for a long-held or continuously repeated note while other parts change.

Question 12

PITCH

Bend

Accepted Answer

A technique that raises or lowers the pitch of a note. 

Look for a curved arrow or a bend marking, commonly in guitar notation or tablature.

Question 13

PITCH

Glissando

Accepted Answer

A continuous slide from one pitch to another.

Look for a straight or wavy line connecting two notes, often labelled gliss.

Question 14

PITCH

Melisma

Accepted Answer

Several notes sung on one syllable.

Look for one lyric syllable extended beneath a group of notes.

Question 15

PITCH

Pedal point

Accepted Answer

A sustained or repeated pitch heard while the harmony changes around it.

Find a long-held or repeated note, usually in the bass, underneath changing chords.

Question 16

PITCH

Sequence

Accepted Answer

A musical idea repeated at a higher or lower pitch.

Locate the same melodic or rhythmic shape beginning on different pitches.

Question 17

PITCH

Countermelody

Accepted Answer

A secondary melody performed at the same time as the main melody.

Look for two independent melodic lines occurring simultaneously.

Question 18

PITCH

Melodic contour

Accepted Answer

The overall shape of a melody as it rises, falls or remains on the same pitch.

Follow the notes and describe the shape as ascending, descending, arch-shaped or wave-like.

Question 19

PITCH

Harmonics

Accepted Answer

High, pure pitches produced when only part of a string or air column vibrates.

Look for diamond-shaped noteheads, small circles above notes or the abbreviation harm.

Question 20

PITCH

Cascading harmonics

Accepted Answer

A flowing series of harmonics moving rapidly through different pitches.

Look for a rapid ascending or descending passage of diamond-shaped notes or harmonic markings.

Question 21

PITCH

Walking bass

Accepted Answer

A bass line that moves steadily through chord tones and connecting pitches.

Look for a continuous bass line, commonly moving in crotchets.

Question 22

PITCH

Imitation

Accepted Answer

A musical idea performed by one part and then repeated by another part.

Find the same or a similar motif entering later in another instrumental or vocal part.

Question 23

PITCH

Trill

Accepted Answer

A rapid alternation between a written note and the note directly above it.

Look for tr or a wavy line above the note.

Question 24

EXPRESSIVE TECHNIQUES AND ARTICULATION

Multiphonics

Accepted Answer

Two or more pitches produced simultaneously on an instrument that normally produces one note at a time.

Look for several noteheads on one stem or the instruction multiphonic.

Question 25

EXPRESSIVE TECHNIQUES AND ARTICULATION

Flutter tonguing

Accepted Answer

A wind or brass technique producing a rapid, trembling sound with the tongue or throat.

Look for flutter tongue, flz., frull. or tremolo-like markings.

Question 26

EXPRESSIVE TECHNIQUES AND ARTICULATION

Ghost notes

Accepted Answer

Very soft, lightly articulated notes that provide rhythmic detail.

Look for bracketed or cross-shaped noteheads, or notes marked extremely softly.

Question 27

EXPRESSIVE TECHNIQUES AND ARTICULATION

Staccato

Accepted Answer

Notes performed short and detached.

Look for dots above or below the notes.

Question 28

EXPRESSIVE TECHNIQUES AND ARTICULATION

Legato

Accepted Answer

Notes performed smoothly and connected.

Look for a curved slur over a group of notes or the word legato.

Question 29

EXPRESSIVE TECHNIQUES AND ARTICULATION

Tenuto

Accepted Answer

A note held for its full value, sometimes with slight emphasis.

Look for a short horizontal line above or below the note.

Question 30

EXPRESSIVE TECHNIQUES AND ARTICULATION

Fingerpicking

Accepted Answer

Playing individual guitar strings using the fingers rather than a pick.

Look for fingerstyle, fingerpicking or right-hand labels p, i, m and a.

Question 31

EXPRESSIVE TECHNIQUES AND ARTICULATION

Arco

Accepted Answer

An instruction for a string player to use the bow.

Look for arco, usually following a pizzicato passage.

Question 32

EXPRESSIVE TECHNIQUES AND ARTICULATION

Pizzicato

Accepted Answer

Plucking the strings of a normally bowed string instrument.

Look for pizz. or pizzicato.

Question 33

EXPRESSIVE TECHNIQUES AND ARTICULATION

Palm muting

Accepted Answer

Resting the side of the hand lightly on guitar strings to create a short, muted sound.

Look for P.M. with a dashed line above guitar notes or tablature.

Question 34

EXPRESSIVE TECHNIQUES AND ARTICULATION

Con sordino

Accepted Answer

Perform with a mute.

Look for con sord., con sordino or muted.

Question 35

EXPRESSIVE TECHNIQUES AND ARTICULATION

Senza sordino

Accepted Answer

Perform without a mute.

Look for senza sord., senza sordino or open after a muted section.

Question 36

DYNAMICS 

Piano (p)

Accepted Answer

Soft. 

Look for p beneath or above the stave.

Question 37

DYNAMICS 

Mezzo piano (mp)

Accepted Answer

Moderately soft.

Look for mp beneath or above the stave.

Question 38

DYNAMICS 

Forte (f)

Accepted Answer

Loud.

Look for f beneath or above the stave.

Question 39

DYNAMICS 

Fortissimo (ff)

Accepted Answer

Very loud.

Look for ff beneath or above the stave.

Question 40

DYNAMICS 

Crescendo

Accepted Answer

Gradually becoming louder.

Look for cresc. or a hairpin that opens outward (<).

Question 41

DYNAMICS 

Diminuendo

Accepted Answer

Gradually becoming softer.

Look for dim., decresc. or a hairpin that closes inward (>).

Question 42

DYNAMICS 

Sforzando (sfz)

Accepted Answer

A sudden, forceful emphasis on a note or chord.

Look for sfz, sf or fz beside the note or chord.

Question 43

TEXTURE 

Textural roles

Accepted Answer

The functions of musical layers, such as melody, accompaniment, bass line and countermelody.

Compare the parts and identify the main melody, supporting harmony, rhythmic accompaniment and bass line.

Question 44

TEXTURE

Imitation

Accepted Answer

A musical idea introduced by one part and repeated shortly afterwards by another part.

Trace the same motif as it enters in different parts.

Question 45

TEXTURE

Countermelody

Accepted Answer

A secondary melody heard at the same time as the main melody.

Look for a second independent melodic line accompanying the main melody.

Question 46

TEXTURE

Ostinato

Accepted Answer

A musical pattern repeated continuously to create a recurring textural layer. 

Find a short pattern that repeats while other parts change.

Question 47

TEXTURE

Drone

Accepted Answer

A sustained or repeated pitch that forms a continuous background layer.

Look for one pitch continuing underneath a changing melody or harmony.

Question 48

TEXTURE

Pedal point

Accepted Answer

A sustained or repeated note heard against changing harmonies.

Look for a stationary note, often in the bass, while the other parts move.

Term	Definition
DURATION Irregular metre	A metre containing unequal beat groupings, such as 5/4, 7/8 or 5/8. Check the time signature and group the beats, for example 2 + 3 or 3 + 2 + 2.
DURATION Syncopation	Emphasis placed on normally weak beats or between the main beats. Look for accents on weak beats, notes beginning between beats or notes tied across strong beats.
DURATION Adagio	A slow tempo. The word Adagio appears above the beginning of the music.
DURATION Andante	A moderately slow tempo, often described as walking pace. The word Andante appears as the tempo marking.
DURATION Allegro	A fast and lively tempo. The word Allegro appears as the tempo marking.
DURATION Presto	A very fast tempo. The word Presto appears as the tempo marking.
DURATION Rallentando	Gradually becoming slower. Look for rall. or rallentando.
DURATION Accelerando	Gradually becoming faster. Look for accel. or accelerando.
DURATION Ostinato	A short musical pattern that is repeated continuously. Find a rhythmic or melodic pattern repeated several times in the same part.
DURATION Tremolo	A rapid repetition of one note or rapid alternation between two notes. Look for diagonal strokes through note stems or lines placed between two notes.
PITCH Drone	A continuously sustained or repeated pitch heard beneath other musical material. Look for a long-held or continuously repeated note while other parts change.
PITCH Bend	A technique that raises or lowers the pitch of a note. Look for a curved arrow or a bend marking, commonly in guitar notation or tablature.
PITCH Glissando	A continuous slide from one pitch to another. Look for a straight or wavy line connecting two notes, often labelled gliss.
PITCH Melisma	Several notes sung on one syllable. Look for one lyric syllable extended beneath a group of notes.
PITCH Pedal point	A sustained or repeated pitch heard while the harmony changes around it. Find a long-held or repeated note, usually in the bass, underneath changing chords.
PITCH Sequence	A musical idea repeated at a higher or lower pitch. Locate the same melodic or rhythmic shape beginning on different pitches.
PITCH Countermelody	A secondary melody performed at the same time as the main melody. Look for two independent melodic lines occurring simultaneously.
PITCH Melodic contour	The overall shape of a melody as it rises, falls or remains on the same pitch. Follow the notes and describe the shape as ascending, descending, arch-shaped or wave-like.
PITCH Harmonics	High, pure pitches produced when only part of a string or air column vibrates. Look for diamond-shaped noteheads, small circles above notes or the abbreviation harm.
PITCH Cascading harmonics	A flowing series of harmonics moving rapidly through different pitches. Look for a rapid ascending or descending passage of diamond-shaped notes or harmonic markings.
PITCH Walking bass	A bass line that moves steadily through chord tones and connecting pitches. Look for a continuous bass line, commonly moving in crotchets.
PITCH Imitation	A musical idea performed by one part and then repeated by another part. Find the same or a similar motif entering later in another instrumental or vocal part.
PITCH Trill	A rapid alternation between a written note and the note directly above it. Look for tr or a wavy line above the note.
EXPRESSIVE TECHNIQUES AND ARTICULATION Multiphonics	Two or more pitches produced simultaneously on an instrument that normally produces one note at a time. Look for several noteheads on one stem or the instruction multiphonic.
EXPRESSIVE TECHNIQUES AND ARTICULATION Flutter tonguing	A wind or brass technique producing a rapid, trembling sound with the tongue or throat. Look for flutter tongue, flz., frull. or tremolo-like markings.
EXPRESSIVE TECHNIQUES AND ARTICULATION Ghost notes	Very soft, lightly articulated notes that provide rhythmic detail. Look for bracketed or cross-shaped noteheads, or notes marked extremely softly.
EXPRESSIVE TECHNIQUES AND ARTICULATION Staccato	Notes performed short and detached. Look for dots above or below the notes.
EXPRESSIVE TECHNIQUES AND ARTICULATION Legato	Notes performed smoothly and connected. Look for a curved slur over a group of notes or the word legato.
EXPRESSIVE TECHNIQUES AND ARTICULATION Tenuto	A note held for its full value, sometimes with slight emphasis. Look for a short horizontal line above or below the note.
EXPRESSIVE TECHNIQUES AND ARTICULATION Fingerpicking	Playing individual guitar strings using the fingers rather than a pick. Look for fingerstyle, fingerpicking or right-hand labels p, i, m and a.
EXPRESSIVE TECHNIQUES AND ARTICULATION Arco	An instruction for a string player to use the bow. Look for arco, usually following a pizzicato passage.
EXPRESSIVE TECHNIQUES AND ARTICULATION Pizzicato	Plucking the strings of a normally bowed string instrument. Look for pizz. or pizzicato.
EXPRESSIVE TECHNIQUES AND ARTICULATION Palm muting	Resting the side of the hand lightly on guitar strings to create a short, muted sound. Look for P.M. with a dashed line above guitar notes or tablature.
EXPRESSIVE TECHNIQUES AND ARTICULATION Con sordino	Perform with a mute. Look for con sord., con sordino or muted.
EXPRESSIVE TECHNIQUES AND ARTICULATION Senza sordino	Perform without a mute. Look for senza sord., senza sordino or open after a muted section.
DYNAMICS Piano (p)	Soft. Look for p beneath or above the stave.
DYNAMICS Mezzo piano (mp)	Moderately soft. Look for mp beneath or above the stave.
DYNAMICS Forte (f)	Loud. Look for f beneath or above the stave.
DYNAMICS Fortissimo (ff)	Very loud. Look for ff beneath or above the stave.
DYNAMICS Crescendo	Gradually becoming louder. Look for cresc. or a hairpin that opens outward (<).
DYNAMICS Diminuendo	Gradually becoming softer. Look for dim., decresc. or a hairpin that closes inward (>).
DYNAMICS Sforzando (sfz)	A sudden, forceful emphasis on a note or chord. Look for sfz, sf or fz beside the note or chord.
TEXTURE Textural roles	The functions of musical layers, such as melody, accompaniment, bass line and countermelody. Compare the parts and identify the main melody, supporting harmony, rhythmic accompaniment and bass line.
TEXTURE Imitation	A musical idea introduced by one part and repeated shortly afterwards by another part. Trace the same motif as it enters in different parts.
TEXTURE Countermelody	A secondary melody heard at the same time as the main melody. Look for a second independent melodic line accompanying the main melody.
TEXTURE Ostinato	A musical pattern repeated continuously to create a recurring textural layer. Find a short pattern that repeats while other parts change.
TEXTURE Drone	A sustained or repeated pitch that forms a continuous background layer. Look for one pitch continuing underneath a changing melody or harmony.
TEXTURE Pedal point	A sustained or repeated note heard against changing harmonies. Look for a stationary note, often in the bass, while the other parts move.

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