AP Test Terminology Flashcards
cadence
a melodic or harmonic configuration that creates a sense of resolution or ending
cadential extension
prolongation or delay of a cadence by addition of material
coda
a passage that brings a piece to an end
codetta
a small, brief coda - literally “little coda”
contour
shape of a melody
countermelody
a subordinate melody accompanying a principle one
elision (phrase elision)
the omission of pitches from a melodic line, thereby shortening it
fragment
division of a musical idea or motive into segments
introduction
the passage which opens a movement or piece
bridge
a passage used to prepare for a verse or chorus
chorus
a part of a song that recurs at intervals
song form
the form or layout used to compose a song
turnaround
(in jazz) a section that is preparation for the next
twelve-bar blues
one of the most prominent structures in popular music
I-I-I-I7-IV7-IV7-I-I-V7-IV7-I-I
augmentation
multiplying note values in a phrase by a constant
diminution
dividing note values in a phrase by a constant
conjunct
motion between consecutive pitches (also known as a step)
disjunct
motion between non-consecutive pitches (also known as skips and leaps)
fragmentation
division of a musical idea into segments
internal expansion
the extension of phrase length with something added or repeated (not at the cadence)
octave displacement
taking a melodic line and moving its notes to a different octave
inversion
switching the order of pitches through octave displacement
melodic inversion
the inversion of a melody by turning it upside-down
literal repetition
a repeated passage, notated by a repeat sign
sequence
repetition of a motive in a different place on the staff
sequential repetition
repetition of a motive that has been transposed to different scale degrees
motivic transformation
any strategy used to develop or alter a motive for melodic interest
retrograde
the inverse of a series played in reverse order
motive
a short musical idea
transposition
shifting a composition to a different pitch level
truncation
shortening of a musical idea
period
a musical statement (group of phrases) that ends with a cadence
antecedent phrase
the first phrase of a two-phrase period
consequent phrase
the second phrase of a two-phrase period
contrasting period
period of two different phrases
double period
a parallel period of two antecedent and two consequent phrases
a | b | a | b1
parallel period
period of two similar phrases
phrase group
group of phrases that seem to belong together without forming period or double period
refrain
verse which repeats throughout a piece at given intervals
binary
a musical form in which the A and B sections are repeated (resulting in AABB)
rounded binary
a variation of binary form in which a form of the A section returns after the B section
ternary
a three-part structure in which the A section is repeated after the B section (resulting in ABA)
solo, soli
a passage to be performed by a soloist or multiple soloists
verse
musical equivalent of a poetic stanza
strophic
structure in which all verses and choruses are played to the same music (opposite is through-composed)
theme
material (usually a melody) on which a composition is based
thematic transformation
technique in which a theme is modified over time
through-composed
a form in which new music is used for every stanza (opposite is strophic)
tutti
a passage performed together by all voices and/or instruments
variation
a technique in which material is repeated in an altered form
perfect authentic cadence
V-I or V-i movement with both chords in root position (also soprano moving from scale degree 7 to scale degree 1)
imperfect authentic cadence
V-I or V-i movement with one or both chords being inverted
conclusive cadence
a cadence that sounds complete because it ends on tonic
half cadence
any cadence ending on V
Phrygian half cadence
a cadence with movement from iv6 to V (also with downward motion of a m2 to scale degree 5 in the bass)
inconclusive cadence
a cadence that sounds incomplete because it ends on dominant
plagal cadence
“amen cadence” - moves from IV-I or iv-i
root-position triad
triad with three stacked pitches and the root in the bass (indicated by no symbol)
first inversion triad
triad with three stacked pitches and the third in the bass (indicated by a 6)
second inversion triad
triad with three stacked pitches and the fifth in the bass (indicated by a 6/4)
major seventh chord
M3/m3/M3
dominant seventh chord
M3/m3/m3
minor seventh chord
m3/M3/m3
half-diminished seventh chord
m3/m3/M3
fully-diminished seventh chord
m3/m3/m3
augmented major seventh chord
M3/M3/m3
minor-major seventh chord
m3/M3/M3
root-position seventh chord
seventh chord with four stacked pitches and the root in the bass (indicated by a 7)
first inversion seventh chord
seventh chord with four stacked pitches and the third in the bass (indicated by a 6/5)
second inversion seventh chord
seventh chord with four stacked pitches and the fifth in the bass (indicated by a 4/3)
third inversion seventh chord
seventh chord with four stacked pitches and the seventh in the bass (indicated by a 4/2 or a 2)
deceptive cadence
movement from IV or V to vi; it sounds like it’s headed towards tonic but it doesn’t
tonic function
a chord that serves a tonic function, such as the tonic or submediant
dominant function
a chord that serves a dominant function, such as the dominant or leading tone seventh chord
predominant function
any progression that sets up dominant-tonic movement
augmented triad
stacked thirds arranged in M3/M3
diminished triad
stacked thirds arranged in m3/m3
major triad
stacked thirds arranged in M3/m3
minor triad
stacked thirds arranged in m3/M3
tonic
scale degree 1
supertonic
scale degree 2
mediant
scale degree 3
subdominant
scale degree 4
neighboring tone
embellishment approached by a step in one direction and resolved by a step in the opposite direction
circle of fifths
visual representation of the relationships between the twelve tones of the chromatic scale
dominant
scale degree 5
submediant
scale degree 6
subtonic
scale degree 7 in minor
leading tone
scale degree 7 in major
pedal point
embellishing sustained pitch that does not adjust to surrounding harmonies
retardation
like a suspension but resolves up rather than down
deceptive progression
a movement of V to vi (you think it will go to tonic)
harmonic rhythm
the rate at which chords change
modulation
large-scale tonicization (temporarily moving tonic to a different key) for longer periods of time
common tone modulation
using common tone(s) to introduce a modulation (also known as a “pivot chords”)
phrase modulation
modulation without pivot notes
pivot chord modulation
the use of chords common to both keys in order to introduce a modulation (also known as common tone modulation)
neighboring chord
a chord formed by 2-3 neighbor notes occurring at the same time in similar motion to make a new chord
rate of harmonic change
like harmonic rhythm; the rate at which chords change
retrogression
a series of chords moving backwards towards tonic, typically weakening tonality
secondary dominant
chords functioning as a dominant chord in the dominant area (V/V or V7/V)
secondary leading tone chord
chords functioning as a leading tone chord in the dominant area (viiº/V or viiº7/V)
tonicization
temporary displacement of tonic to a different key area
direct fifths
a perfect fifth approached in similar motion by two voices
direct octaves
a perfect octave approached in similar motion by two voices
arpeggiating 6/4
6/4 triad created by arpeggiation of the triad in the bass
cadential 6/4
6/4 triad that serves as an embellishment of the dominant area
neighboring or pedal 6/4
6/4 triad that occurs when the third and fifth of a root position triad are embellished by their respective upper neighboring tones
passing 6/4
6/4 triad created by harmonizing a three-note scale fragment of the bass
anticipation
an embellishment that arrives at a note of a chord early before the other members do
appogiatura
embellishment approached by a skip, resolved by a step
embellishment
melodic decoration
escape tone
embellishment approached by a step, resolved by a skip
double neighbor
embellishment created by two voices stepping in one direction and resolving in the opposite
cambiata
broader term for escape tone or appogiatura
ornament
another word for embellisment
dissonance
sound that is generally regarded as unpleasant or harsh to hear
passing tone
embellishment that is approached by a step and resolved by a step in the same direction
preparation
the set-up for dissonance
resolution
the conclusion of dissonance to a consonant interval
suspension
dissonant embellishment approached by a common tone and resolved down by a step
close position
compact voicing of a chord
doubling
the process of repeating a tone in a chord in a second (or third) voice
root
the bottom, naming note of a chord
open position
spread out voicing of a chord
common tone
a pitch class that is a member of or common to two or more entities
cross relation (false relation)
the occurrence of a tritone between two notes of adjacent chords
voice crossing
intersection of melodic lines in a composition, leaving a lower voice on a higher pitch than a higher voice (and vice versa)
interval
the difference between two pitches
overlapping voices
voices do not cross (unlike voice crossing), but they move together, and the lower voice passes where the upper voice was (or vice versa)
rearticulated suspension
suspension is rearticulated rather than slurred
parallel intervals
intervals approached by similar motion
suspension chain
consecutive suspensions where the resolution of one serves as preparation for the next
tendency tone
scale degrees that tend to resolve in a certain direction
voice exchange
switching of a pitch between voices
alto
the second highest pitch or instrument of a group
chromatic
involving a modification of the normal scale by the use of accidentals
common practice style
pertaining to the styles of the common practice period
consonance
sound that is generally regarded as pleasant or easy to hear
diatonic
involving only notes proper to the prevailing key without chromatic alteration
bass
the lowest pitch or instrument of a group
figured bass
a kind of musical notation in which numerals and symbols indicate intervals, chords, and non-chord tones in relation to the bass note they are placed above or below
flatted fifth
chromatic passing note between the four and the five in the scale
Picardy third
use of a major chord of the tonic at the end of a musical section that is either modal or in a minor key
compound interval
an interval that is larger than an octave
inversion of an interval
switching the order of an interval to its opposite (ex: P5/P4)
soprano
the highest pitch or instrument of a group
tenor
the second lowest pitch or instrument of a group
contrary motion
movement of voices in opposite directions
oblique motion
movement of one voice while another sustains
arpeggio
the notes of a chord played in succession, either ascending or descending
parallel motion
movement of voices from and into the same interval in the same direction
similar motion
movement of voices in the same direction but not at the same interval as the previous interval
lead sheet
a form of musical notation that specifies essential elements of a popular song: the melody, lyrics and harmony
half step
a minor second, also known as a semitone
tritone
dissonant interval of three adjacent whole tones or six half steps
unison
two or more parts played at the same pitch
whole step
a major second spanning two semitones
antiphonal
sung, recited, or played alternately by two groups
articulation
relating to any technique that affects how a note is played
arco
played with the bow
legato
in a smooth, flowing manner without breaks between notes
marcato
played with emphasis
pizzicato
played by plucking without the bow
slur
a marking indicating that notes should be played together in one breath
staccato
played with each sound or note sharply detached or separated from the others
tenuto
a note or chord held for its full time value or slightly more
call and response
a succession of phrases played with the second being a response or commentary to the first
dynamics
the volume of sounds or notes
crescendo
gradual increase in volume
diminuendo
decrease in loudness
terrace dynamics
abrupt shifts in volume without crescendos or decrescendos
pianissimo
very soft
piano
soft
mezzo piano
moderately soft
mezzo forte
moderately loud
forte
loud
fortissimo
very loud
improvisation
immediate, on-the-spot musical composition
phrasing
concepts and practices related to grouping consecutive melodic notes, both in their composition and performance
irregular meter
meter that doesn’t fit duple/triple categories
duple meter
meter with primary division of two beats to the bar
quadruple meter
meter with primary division of four beats to the bar
triple meter
meter with primary division of three beats to the bar
polyrhythm
simultaneous use of two or more conflicting rhythms
pulse
beats in a (repeating) series of identical yet distinct periodic short-duration stimuli perceived as points in time
tempo
the speed at which a passage of music is played
adagio
a slow tempo
key signature
the sharp/flat markings after the clef that indicate the key of a piece
allegro
a brisk tempo
andante
a moderately slow tempo
andantino
a tempo slightly quicker than andante
grave
a very slow, solemn tempo
largo
a slow, dignified tempo
lento
a slow tempo
moderato
a moderate tempo
presto
a quick tempo
vivace
a lively and brisk tempo
accelerando
gradually increasing in speed
ritardando
gradually decreasing in speed
ritenuto
an immediate reduction of tempo
rubato
brief relaxation of a strict time (either temporarily increasing or decreasing in speed)
changing meter (multimeter)
meter changes periodically throughout the music
cross rhythm
two contrasting divisions sounding at the same time (ex: Carol of the Bells)
dotted rhythm
a rhythm consisting of dotted notes (a dot adds half of the note value)
agogic accent
an accent by difference in duration
duration
time a pitch is held
hemiola
augmentation of a meter with a temporary adjustment in beat groupings (ex: “America” from West Side Story)
dynamic accent
an accent by difference in volume
metrical accent
an accent by placing a note on a strong beat of a measure
anacrusis
a pickup note
asymmetrical meter
a meter that can not be divided into equal beats, creating compound and simple meter within one measure
bar line
indicates the end of a measure
beat
a rhythmic unit
compound meter
meter where beats are subdivided in threes
simple meter
meter where beats are subdivided in twos
duplet
a pair of equal notes performed in a time of three
rhythm
combinations and sequences of note values
swing rhythm
slight adjust of written rhythms to give them a jazzy vibe; characterized by eighth notes being played “long-short”
syncopation
rhythms that are accented on offbeats
tie
a slur between notes of the same pitch; played by adding their values together
time signature
a numerical sign indicating the rhythm and beat division of a piece
triplet
a group of three notes played in a time of two
accidental
an altered note that is not part of the most recently applied key signature
harmonic minor
minor scale with lowered 3 and 6 compared to major
melodic minor
minor scale with lowered 3 (ascending) compared to major and lowered 3, 6, 7 (descending) compared to major
natural minor
minor scale with lowered 3, 6, and 7 compared to major
mode
a type of scale
Ionian
mode associated with scale degree 1 in C
Dorian
mode associated with scale degree 2 in C
Phrygian
mode associated with scale degree 3 in C
Lydian
mode associated with scale degree 4 in C
Mixolydian
mode associated with scale degree 5 in C
Aeolian
mode associated with scale degree 6 in C
Locrian
mode associated with scale degree 7 in C
lyrics
the words of a song
melismatic
singing styles of multiple notes per syllable (opposite of syllabic)
stanza
another word for verse (equivalent of a poetic stanza)
syllabic
singing style of one note per syllable (opposite of melismatic)
modality
system of organized scales based on the displacement of the tonic note along a arrangement of seven natural tones
parallel key
major and minor scale sharing a tonic
pentatonic
related to a scale of five notes
relative key
major and minor scale sharing the same key signatures
tetrachord
a scale of four notes with the interval between the first and last being a perfect fourth
tonal
pertaining to or having tonality
tonality
musical system in which pitches or chords are arranged so as to induce a hierarchy of perceived relations, stabilities, and attractions
whole-tone scale
a scale consisting entirely of intervals of a tone with no semitones
Alberti bass
a kind of broken chord or arpeggiated accompaniment where the notes of the chord are presented in the order of lowest, highest, middle, highest (then repeated)
canon
a piece of music in which two or more voices sing or play the same music starting at different times
canonic
resembling a canon
contrapuntal
following the rules and standards of counterpoint
counterpoint
the technique of setting, writing, or playing a melody or melodies in conjunction with another, according to fixed rules
imitation
repetition of a melody in a polyphonic texture shortly after its first appearance in a different voice (usually at a different pitch)
imitative polyphony
when overlapping melodies are similar or the same
nonimitative polyphony
when overlapping melodies are different
fugal imitation
a contrapuntal compositional technique in two or more voices, built on theme that is introduced at the beginning in imitation (repetition at different pitches) and recurs frequently in the course of the composition
heterophony
a type of texture characterized by simultaneous variation of a single melodic line
homophony
texture in which two or more parts move together in harmony with the relationship between them creating chords (also known as chordal homophony)
chordal texture
texture in which the musical material is concentrated into chords with relatively little melodic activity
melody with accompaniment
a structure consisting of a melody and underlying accompaniment
brass
any instrument that produces sound through the vibration of a player’s lips
continuo
an accompanying part consisting of bass line and harmonies; usually played by a keyboard or bass
percussion
musical instruments played by striking with a hand, stick, or shaking
rhythm section
drums and bass - supplying the basis of a piece
strings
musical instruments that produce sound via vibrating strings
timbre
the character or quality of a musical sound
woodwinds
any instrument that produces sound through the vibration of a reed; though they do not work this way, flutes are included in this category
melody
a sequence of single notes that is musically satisfying
monophony
the simplest of textures: a melody without accompanying harmony
obbligato
a part, usually instrumental, that is integral to a piece and should not be omitted
ostinato
a continually repeated musical phrase or rhythm
polyphony
a texture consisting of two or more lines of simultaneous, independent melodies
intervallic contraction
making an interval (of a motive) smaller
intervallic expansion
making an interval (of a motive) larger
rhythmic metamorphosis
slight change of a motive
register
the range of a set of pitches
tessitura
the general range of pitches found in a vocal or instrumental part
walking bass
a bass part in 4/4 time in which a note is played on each beat of the bar and which typically moves up and down the scale in small steps.
aria
any expressive melody, usually performed by a singer
art song
a song written to be sung in recital, typically with piano accompaniment and often set to a poem
concerto
a musical composition for a solo instrument or instruments accompanied by an orchestra
fugue
a contrapuntal composition in which a short melody or phrase (the subject) is introduced by one part and successively taken up by others and developed by interweaving the parts
genre
a conventional category that identifies pieces of music as belonging to a shared tradition or set of conventions
interlude
music written to be played between acts of a play, opera, or ballet
opera
a dramatic work in one or more acts, set to music for singers and instrumentalists
prelude
an introductory piece of music, commonly used before an act of an opera or as the first movement of a suite
postlude
a concluding piece of music, especially an organ piece played at the end of a religious service
sonata
a piece of music written for one or two instruments (with accompaniment) that has usually three or four large sections that are different from each other in rhythm and mood
song
a short poem or set of words that’s meant to be sung
string quartet
a chamber ensemble consisting of two violins, a viola, and a cello
symphony
an elaborate musical composition for full orchestra, typically in four movements
symmetrical period
phrases of an antecedent/consequent period are of equal length
asymmetrical period
phrases of an antecedent/consequent period are of unequal length
Baroque Era
era of late 1600s to 1760s; characterized by exaggerated motion but clear, easy-to-interpret detail
composer: Bach, Handel, Vivaldi
Classical Era
era of 1750s to 1830s; characterized by a light, clear, simple, predictable structure
composers: Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven
Romantic Era
era of 1780s to 1910s; characterized by expressive and passionate sounds
composers: Chopin, Mendelssohn
Modern Era
era of 1920s to present; characterized by more abstract composition
composers: Prokofiev, Copland
