Chapter 8: Text and Music

Question 1

Nonlexical Syllable

Answer 1

Syllable that does not carry specific meaning; a nonsense syllable. (page 32)

Question 2

Scat-singing

Answer 2

A jazz style that sets syllables without meaning (vocables) to an improvised vocal line. (page 32)

Question 3

Vocalise

Answer 3

A textless vocal melody, as in an exercise or concert piece. (page 32)

Question 4

Latin Jazz

Answer 4

A jazz style influenced by Latin American music, which includes various dance rhythms and traditional percussion instruments. (page 32)

Question 5

Vernacular

Answer 5

The common language spoken by the people as distinguished from the literary language, or language of the educated elite. (page 33)

Question 6

Secular Music

Answer 6

Nonreligious music; when there is text, it’s usually in the vernacular. (page 33)

Question 7

Strophe

Answer 7

A unit or verse of poetry; also a stanza. (page 34)

Question 8

Refrain

Answer 8

Text or music that is repeated within a larger form. (page 34)

Question 9

Chorus

Answer 9

Fairly large group of singers who perform together, usually with several on each part. Also a choral movement of a large-scale work. In jazz, a single statement of the melodic-harmonic pattern. (page 34)

Question 10

Syllabic

Answer 10

Melodic style of one note set to each text syllable. (page 34)

Question 11

Melismatic

Answer 11

Melodic style characterized by many notes sung to a single text syllable. (page 34)

Question 12

Word-painting

Answer 12

Musical pictorialization of words as an expressive device; a prominent feature of the Renaissance madrigal. (page 34)