2 - 20th Century Music and Soundtracks Keywords

Question 1

Underscore

Answer 1

In films this is the music which plays “under” the scene; not noticeable, but adding atmosphere/mood.

Question 2

Leitmotif

Answer 2

A short melody or musical idea that represents a certain character, emotion or idea.

Question 3

Cluster Chord

Answer 3

A dissonant (“clashy”) chord whose notes are very close together. Often sounds horrible and tense.

Question 4

Ostinato

Answer 4

A musical idea, melody, rhythm, or phrase which is repeated over and over again.

Question 5

Riff

Answer 5

Another word for ostinato, which is used more frequently by popular and jazz musicians: A musical idea, melody, rhythm, or phrase which is repeated over and over again

Question 6

Cue Sheet

Answer 6

In film music, cue sheets list all the visual events so the composer can write music to suit each scene.

Question 7

Synchronising

Answer 7

In films, this is where the music and moving images are exactly in time together. “Mickey Mousing”.

Question 8

Minimalism

Answer 8

A type of music characterized by the repetition of very short phrases which change gradually, producing a hypnotic effect.

Question 9

Low lurker

Answer 9

Long, held notes are used to build suspense. They are low pitched pedal notes.

Question 10

Accompaniment

Answer 10

The music in the background (under the melody). The “backing”.

Question 11

Contrast

Answer 11

A section within a piece of music that is different to others.

Question 12

Dynamics

Answer 12

How loudly or quietly to play a piece of music.

Question 13

Pedal note

Answer 13

A long, held low-pitched note (sounds creepy). A held high-pitched note is called an inverted pedal.