All Higher Concepts Flashcards
Acciaccatura
A short, quick notes before the main note
Added 6th
a chord with the sixth note of the scale added. For example an A in the chord of C
Augmentation
when a passage of music is repeated with no longer note values than the first time
Basso Continuo
the group of instruments making the harmony/accompaniment in a Baroque piece of music. Organ and Harpsichord usually, but can also include cello, bassoon, lute or viola de gamba
Chamber Music
a small scale composition for a small group of instruments, intended to be played to a small audience. Usually 3 - 8 musicians. Often piano and strings
Coloratura
highly complex, decorative singing with lots of notes and ornaments. Mozart’s operas often
Concerto Grosso
a type of composition consisting of Ripieno and Concertino. The aim to provide contrast
Concertino
the smaller group of instruments in a Concerto Grosso
Da Capo Aria
an aria in ternary form (A-B-A). The instruction ‘Da Capo, just means to go back to the start
Diminution
the opposite of Augmentation, when a passage of music is played with shorter note values. Think ‘diminish’ - it gets smaller
Diminished Triad
a diminished chord, where the 3rd and 5th notes are taken down a semitone
Diminished 7th
a diminished chord as above but with an added 7th note. Often used in films for ‘terror effects’
Dominant 7th
a normal major chord but with an added flattened 7th note (on the scale of this chord)
Exposition
the first movement of a sonata form or fugue
Harmonics
a technique for playing stringed instruments which involves holding down the string not fully but enough to make a different sound to an open strong. It has a characteristic high pitch, quiet tone
Harmonic Minor (Scale)
the same notes when going up and down (see melodic minor scale)
Impressionist
the music is trying to express an emotion, mood or feeling, such as sadness. Musical structures and forms and freer to allow the emotion of the music to be heard. Can be dreamy or romantic sounding
Interrupted Cadence
the chords 5 to 6 (remember 6 is minor)
Interval
the distance between two notes. To work out an interval, work out the letter names of each note, write them down. Take the first letter as ‘1’ then count up to the next letter - the number you land on is the interval
Irregular Time Signatures
the time signature and number of beats in each bar changes frequently. You find it hard to get a feel for the music and it has a characteristic sound
Jazz Funk
a 20th style of music which has an emphasis on drum kit and bass guitar, often including slap bass. Keyboards (including synthesiser) or piano can also feature heavily
Lied
a German song, often with complex piano accompaniment. It is from the Romanic period
Mass
a large scale work with an emphasis on singers, with soloists, SATB chorus and orchestra. It is sung in Latin and based on the six sections of liturgy: Kyrie, Gloria, Alleluia, Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei (these words may often by in the music)
Melodic Minor Scale
the notes are different depending on whether the scale is ascending or descending (see harmonic minor scale)
Mode/Modal
a type of early scale developed and used in the Medieval and Renaissance periods. It sounds a bit off and unusual but is consistent. It is sometimes used today in modern music
Mordent
an ornament with this pattern - the note, note above then the first note again. it is shown by a small squiggly line above the music
Musique Concrète
a style origination from France where recorded sounds are used to make the composition. They could be anything from trains or other transport to animals. It has a very unique sound and you will recognise it straight away
Obbligato
a prominent solo instrument in a piece of vocal music. It forms a distinctive sound and it is an important part of the music
Oratorio
an operatic work based on stories from the bible
Passacaglia
a slow Baroque dance with three beats in the bar. It will have a repeated bass pattern (ground bass) with changing upper parts. It will usually be in the minor key, but not always
Plagal Cadence
when the chords are 4 to 1, the ‘Amen’ sound
Plainchant
unaccompanied, religious vocal music. Unison and monophonic (the same note by all singers). Sung in lain
Recitative
a way of singing in an opera which is half spoken, half sung. It follows the natural rhythm of speach
Relative Major
a major key which has the same key signature as a minor key, for example C major has the same as A minor. The major is up 4 semitones from the minor
Relative Minor
a minor key which has the same key signature as a major key. The minor is down 4 semitones
Ripieno
the larger group in a Concerto Grosso, when all the instruments enter and the whole group plays
Ritornello
a passage of music which returns frequently. It is a Baroque concept and refers to instrument music
Sonata
an instrument work for solo piano and orchestra
Sonata Form
an instrumental work with three sections - exposition, development and recapitulation
Soul Music
a style of popular music originating in America from the 1960s, where the singer often expresses emotions through the lyrics and style of singing
String Quartet
a group of four stringed instruments - two violins, viola and cello
Subject
the opening tune in a piece of music, usually from the baroque period
3 against 2
triplets and quavers playing at the same time - sounds very odd
Tierce De Picardie
when a piece of music is major and ends on a minor chord, or a piece of music is minor and ends on a major chord
Time Changes
the time signature change suddenly in the music. You will notice feel of the music change
Through-Composed
a term used to describe a song which has no repetition of musical material
Tremolando
short, rapid repetition of a note to create tension or suspense
Triplets
three notes are played where two notes would normally be. Think ‘straw-be-rry’ vs ‘quaver’
