Choir Level 3 Music Terms Flashcards
To define musical terms at a 2nd year/3rd year level.
A cappella
To sing without accompaniment such as piano or guitar
Slight rit.
Gradually slow down–slightly
Rit. is an abbreviation for ritardando
Rallantando
becoming slower; to slow down. Often used as a synonym for ritardando
Natural minor scale
A scale starting on La and going to La. If starting on Do, The 3rd, 6th and 7th scale degree are lowered from a major scale
Formula: WHWWHWW
Harmonic minor scale
A scale starting on La and going to La. The So is raised to Si. If starting on Do, the 3rd and 6th are lowered.
Formula WHWWHm3H
Melodic Minor Scale
A scale starting on La and going to La. The Fa and So are raised to Fi and Si going up only. If starting on Do, the 3rd is lowered going up and the 7th, 6th and 3rd are lowered coming down.
Formula going up: WHWWWWH
Formula going down: WWHWWHW (same as natural)
How do you find out the key and which note is Do in keys containing sharps?
Go to the last sharp in the key signature and go up 1/2 step.
Example: F# key signature means G is Do
Example: F#C#G# key signature means A is Do
How do you find out the key and which note is Do in keys containing flats?
Go to the 2nd to last flat and that is Do.
Example: BbEb key signature means Bb is Do.
Example: BbEbAb key signature means Eb is Do.
triplet
divide the beat or beats into 3
Count: 1 trip let
know the symbols
How do you count an eighth note and 2 sixteenth notes?
1 + a
Know how to draw it
How do you count an 8th note, 16th note, 8th note rhythm
1 e a
Know how to draw it
How do you count a dotted 8th note 16th note rhythm?
1 a
know how to draw it
How do you count two 16th notes and an 8th note rhythm?
1 e +
know how to draw it
Verse
Part of a song form in which the words change each time the notes are repeated. This creates verse 1, verse 2, etc.
Chorus
The repeated part in a song that is often the most memorable.
Example: Hot, Hot, Ooo, we got it, etc.
Introduction
The first part of a song which is often different from the rest. It is often referred to as Intro.
Ending
The last part of a song which is often different from the rest. It is often referred to as Outro.
Bridge
Part of a song form which is different from the rest of the song. It is often in the middle and may be in a different key or style.
Example: the scat part of Zat You Santa Claus
Major Chord
A chord built on the 1st, 3rd and 5th scale degrees.
Do Mi So
Minor Chord
A chord built on the 1st, 3rd and 5th scale degrees where the 3rd is lowered.
Do Me So
Diminished Chord
A chord built on the 1st, 3rd and 5th scale degrees where the 3rd and 5th are lowered.
Do Me Se
Augmented Chord
A chord built on the 1st, 3rd and 5th scale degrees where the 5th is lowered.
Do Mi Si
Scat syllables
Often used in a jazz style, syllables are used instead of words to sing a melody or improvise a melody.
D.S. al Coda
Del Segno al Coda.
Go to the sign at the D.S. and jump to the coda when indicated the 2nd time.
Know the symbols
repeat sign
2 dots at the end of the measure that indicate you must repeat the section of music. Go back to the matching repeat signs before.
Know the symbol.
Chromatic Scale
A scale built on 1/2 steps. Know the solfege.
Accidental
A sharp, flat or natural in a measure that is not found in the key signature. It lasts for only that measure.
Treble clef notes:
lines: EGBDF
spaces: FACE
Bass clef notes
lines: GBDFA
spaces: ACEG
poco a poco
little by little
diminuendo
gradually get softer
List dynamics from softest to loudest
pp, p, mp, mf, f, ff
fermata
A symbol also referred to as a “birds eye.”
Hold the note longer until the conductor cuts off.
Know the symbol
12/8 time signature
12 beats in a measure and the 8th note = 1
cut time
A time signature of 2/2 where there are 2 beats in a measure and the half note gets the beat.
ritardando
gradually get slower
draw all rhythms from smallest to largest
16th, 8th, dotted 8th, quarter, dotted quarter, half note, dotted half note, whole note
know all symbols
draw all rests from smallest to largest
16th, 8th, dotted 8th, quarter, dotted quarter, half rest, dotted half rest, whole rest
know all symbols
A tempo
original tempo
subito
suddenly
