Analysis Terms

Question 1

Anticipation

Answer 1

a nonharmonic tone in which the presentation of a chord tone occurs immediately before the actual chord

Question 2

Appoggiatura

Answer 2

a nonharmonic tone that is performed at the same time as the chord, followed by a resolution to a chord tone.

Question 3

Neighbor Tone

Answer 3

a nonharmonic tone which steps below or above the chord tones

Question 4

Passing Tone

Answer 4

a nonharmonic tone which steps between two chords

Question 5

Pivot Chord

Answer 5

a chord which is common to both the original key and the key to which a composition modulates. The music must change keys in order for there to be a pivot chord

Question 6

Suspension

Answer 6

a nonharmonic tone in which the chord tone whcih is held beyond the next chord change, then resolved after the new chord is played

Question 7

Tertian Harmony

Answer 7

harmonic systems based on the third (triads and seventh chords)

Question 8

Atonality

Answer 8

no specific key, tonality, or mode used

Question 9

Bitonality

Answer 9

combination of two keys at the same time

Question 10

Melodic Inversion

Answer 10

turning each interval of a melody upside down

Question 11

Polytonality

Answer 11

the combination of two or more keys at one time

Question 12

Quartal Harmony

Answer 12

harmony based on 4ths rather than on 3rds

Question 13

Retrograde

Answer 13

the reversal of a melody, as if reading from right to left

Question 14

retrograde inversion

Answer 14

reversal of a melody as if reading from right to left combined with the melodic inversion of the melody

Question 15

serialism

Answer 15

compositional technique: a series of notes or rhythmic patterns is used as the basis of a composition.

Question 16

Twelve Tone Row

Answer 16

a melody or series used in serial music in which all twelve notes are used. Intervals of the row are the basis for the rest of the composition

Question 17

Fugue

Answer 17

style of composition in which 3 or more voices enter in imitation of one another.

Question 18

Subject

Answer 18

The principle theme of a fugue

Question 19

Answer

Answer 19

a restatement of the subject

Question 20

Real Answer

Answer 20

an exact transposition of the subject, often to the dominant

Question 21

Tonal Answer

Answer 21

an answer in which the intervals are adjusted to maintain a sense of the tonality

Question 22

Countersubject

Answer 22

a distinctive contrapuntal theme that continues in the first voice as the second voice enters, which is sued repeatedly throughout the fugue

Question 23

Exposition

Answer 23

the introduction of all voices at the beginning of the fugue; the exposition usually ends with a cadence

Question 24

Episode

Answer 24

sections without complete subjects, but that utilize the motivic material from the subject and countersubject

Question 25

Stretto

Answer 25

near ending of fugue, entrances of the subjects are close together, causing them to overlap

Question 26

Sonata

Answer 26

a composition for piano or another solo instrument which has separate sections called movements

Question 27

Sonata Allegro Form

Answer 27

Exposition: Theme 1, Bridge, Theme 2
Development: Motives based on Themes 1 and 2
Recapitulation: Theme 1, Bridge, Theme 2

Question 28

Adagio

Answer 28

Binary or Ternary form, different key but closely related to first movement

Question 29

Allegro/Presto

Answer 29

Rondo form or Variations, in the same key as the first movement

Question 30

Rondo Form

Answer 30

usually for final movement of sonata

one section is repeated several times: A, B, A, C, A

Question 31

Theme and Variations

Answer 31

a theme is presented, then repeated with changes to the melody, harmony, rhythm, form, texture, key, mode, meter, or tempo.