Common Musical Vocabulary Flashcards
Basso Continuo
- A Baroque performance practice
- Two players: one playing the notated bass line, one realizing the harmonies indicated by the figured bass
- Harmonies normally played on harpsichord or organ
- Provides harmonic framework
Figured Bass
- A musical shorthand developed during the Baroque Era
- Numbers are placed below the bass line to indicate harmonic progression
- Provides the structure for guided improvisation
- Performed/realized by the basso continuo
The Affections
- Also known as the “Doctrine of Affections” or “the Affects”, it refers to the emotional state of the soul
- A single “Affect” or “Affection” is usually projected in a composition or movement in Baroque music
Polyphonic Texture
- Two or more independent melodic lines heard at the same time
Homophonic Texture
- Texture with a single line of melody and accompanying harmony
Ritornello Form
- A structure used in the first and third movements of a Baroque concerto. The opening passage is restated several times throughout, acting as a refrain.
Ripieno
- Italian for “full” or “complete”
- Indicates the use of a full orchestra in a Baroque concerto
Ostinato
- Italian for “obstinate” or “persistent”
- A rhythmic, harmonic, or melodic pattern peated for an extended period or throughout a work
Drone
- A sustained bass note for harmonic support
- A common feature in folk music
Terraced Dynamics
- Baroque practice of changing volume levels abruptly
- Results in stark contrast rather than gradual change
Word Painting
- Musical picturization
- Mirrors the literal meaning of the words
- Achieved through melody, rhythm, or harmony
Aria
- Italian for “air”
- A highly emotional and virtuosic solo song w/ accompaniment.
- Used in operas, oratorios, and cantatas
- May have lyrical and dramatic qualities, revealing the character’s most intimate emotions
Da Capo Aria
- An aria employing ternary (ABA) form
- Most common aria type in Baroque opera and oratorio w/ three-part structure, ternary form
Melisma
- A group of notes sung on a single syllable, demonstrating vocal virtuosity and highlights keywords
Recitative Secco
- Italian for “dry recitative”
- Supported only by continuo, it is a speech-like, declamatory style of singing used in operas, oratorios, and cantatas
Recitative Accompagnato
- Italian for “accompanied recitative”
- A speech-like, declamatory style of singing supported by an instrumental ensemble or orchestra
- Allowing greater connection with the text, this type of recitative is employed in operas, oratorio, and cantata
Pedal Point
- Sustained note over which harmonies change
Tierce de Picardie
- Ending a minor-key movement with a major key tonic chord (Bach did this very often)
Equal Temperament
- Tuning system based on the division of the octave into 12 equal semitones
- Composition and performances in all keys become easier
Chamber Music
- A genre featuring one player per part
- Small ensembles: two - ten players
- Usually performed w/o a conductor
Sonata Cycle
- Multi-movement structure that emerged in the Classical Era
- Used in symphonies, sonatas, or concertos
Sonata Form
- Formal structure often used in the first movement of a sonata cycle
- Three main parts: exposition, development, recapitulation
- Other names include “first-movement form” and “sonata-allegro form”
Viennese School
- Refers to the musical styles created by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and their contemporaries
- Austria flourished as a musical centre in the late 18th century
Rocket Theme
- A dramatic opening Classical Era works, the rocket theme is a rapidly ascending melody that outlines an arpeggio
Rounded Binary
- Two-part musical form: (A :||: B + A :||)
- Section A material returns in Section B
