Concepts Flashcards
What is the definition of an oratorio?
Usually a story from the bible set to music for soloists, chorus and orchestra.
What might oratorios include?
Recitatives, arias, duets and chorus
What is the definition of impressionist?
A term borrowed from painting in which brief musical ideas merge and change to create a rather vague and blurred outline
What is the definition of musique concrete?
Recorded natural sounds which are transformed using simple editing techniques such as cutting and re-assembling, playing backwards,slowing down and speeding up.
What is the definition of plainchant?
Unaccompanied melody set to words of the Roman Catholic liturgy, such as Mass. Plainchants are modal and have no regular metre.
What are plainchants also known as?
Plainsong or Gregorian chant
What rhythm do plainchants follow?
The rhythm of Latin words
What is the definition of Mass?
In the Renaissance era the Mass was a sacred choral work using the five main sections of the Roman Catholic Church liturgy.
What does features of Mass include?
Latin text and polyphonic texture, and is usually sung acapella.
When is Mass used?
Originally used in church worship, but in later years became a large-scale work for chorus, soloists and orchestra.
What is the definition of recitative?
A type of writing where the music follows the rhythm of speech.
What is recitative used for?
It is used in operas and oratorios to move the story or plot on
What is the definition of chamber music?
Music written for a small instrumental ensemble with one player to a part.
What is the definition of jazz funk?
A combination of jazz improvisation and the amplified instruments and character of Rock.
What is the definition of a string quartet?
A musical ensemble of four string players. It is one of the most prominent chamber ensembles in classical music
What instrumentalists do string quartets consist of?
Two violin players, a viola player and a cellist.
What is the definition of soul music?
A style of Afro-American popular music including elements of blues and gospels conveying strong emotions.
What is the definition of mode?
Usually refers to any of the early scales called modes, eg Dorian mode. It can also be used more generally as a reference to major mode or minor mode.
What is the definition of modal?
Term used to describe music based on a mode, a type of early scale used before major and minor keys were developed. Modes are used in jazz and pop music for improvising.
What is the definition of relative major?
A change from minor to major key with the same key signature found three semitones higher
What is the definition of relative minor?
A change from major to minor key with the same key signature found three semitones lower
What is the definition of an interval?
The distance in pitch between two notes eg C-F is a 4th.
What is the definition of obbligato?
Prominent solo instrument in place of vocal music.
What is the definition of acciaccatura and what does it sound like?
An ornament which sounds like a crushed note played very quickly on the beat or just before it
What is the definition of a mordent and what does it sound like?
An ornament which sounds the main note, the main note above and then the main note again.
What does an inverted mordent sound like?
Sounds the main note, the note below and then the main note again
What is the definition of a plagal cadence?
A cadence is formed by two chords at the end of a phrase. A plagal cadence is the subdominant to tonic chords (IV-I). In the key of C major, chords F to C.
What is the definition of an interrupted cadence?
A cadence is formed at the end of a phrase. An interrupted cadence is usually formed by chords V-VI. Known as the surprise cadence.
What is the definition of tierce de picardie?
The final chord of a piece of music in the minor key changed to major
What is the definition of dominant 7th?
Chord built on the dominant (5th) note of a key which adds the 7th note above its root.
What is the definition of diminished 7th?
A chord consisting of three intervals of a minor 3rd built one on top of the other, the interval between the lower and top note being diminished 7th.
What is the definition of added 6th?
Root, 3rd and 5th of a chord with the 6th added. This chord is used frequently in jazz and popular music.
What is the definition of harmonic minor scale?
Scale which shares the same key signature as its relative major but raises the 7th note by a semitone.
What is the definition of melodic minor scale ?
Scale which shares the same key signature as its relative major but raises the 6th and 7th notes by a semitone ascending, and similarly lowers them descending
What is the definition of 3 against 2?
One line of music may be playing quavers in groups of two whilst at the same time another line of music will be playing triplets. Other note values can be similarly used
What is the definition of time changes?
Composers, particularly in the 20th century often make use of changing time signatures frequently in a piece of music.
Why is the definition of irregular time signatures?
In simple time music is easily grouped into crochets whilst in compound time the groupings are of quavers
What is the definition of augmentation?
And increase in the length of notes. The music will sound slower when imitated or repeated
What is the definition of diminution?
A decrease in the length of notes. The music will sound faster when imitated or repeated
What is the definition of through-composed?
A vocal/choral composition in which there is little or no repetition of the music
What is the definition of da capo aria?
An aria in ternary form (ABA) used in opera and oratorio in the 17th and 18th centuries. The third section is not written out but the instruction Da Capo (from the beginning) is given instead. The repeat of the A section was performed with the solo ornamented
What is the definition of lied?
This term (the German word for song) refers specifically in the Romantic era to works for solo piano and voice. The text is in German, the structure of the verses is strophic and through composed.
What is an important feature of lied?
The voice and piano are equally important
What is the definition of passacaglia?
Variations over a ground bass
What is the definition of concerto grosso?
A type of concerto in which a group of soloists (concertino) is combined and contrasted with a larger group (ripieno).
What is the definition of sonata form?
Sometimes known as first movement form. This term is used to describe the structure of the first movement of many sonatas, symphonies and often overtures.
What sections does the sonata form fall in to?
It falls into three sections: exposition, development and recapitulation. The exposition introduces two contrasting themes in related themes
What is the definition of a sonata?
A work for solo piano, or a solo instrument accompanied by piano, in three or four movements
What is the definition of exposition?
The first section of a movement in sonata form of a Fugue where each voice has played or sung at least one entry of subject and answer
What is the definition of subject?
The main theme in a composition, the main themes in a sonata form, or the main theme on which a fugue is based.
What is the definition of basso continuo?
Bass line of a concerto grosso
What is the definition of Ritornello?
A 17th century term for a brief introduction or interlude in a vocal composition. In a concerto grosso, the Ritornello is the main theme played by the Ripieno group and sometimes by the Concertino
What is the definition of tremolando?
Term for rapid up-and-down movement of a no on a stringed instrument creating an agitated, restless effect
What is the definition of harmonics?
The high eerie sounds produced on a bowed string instrument by lightly touching the string at certain points
What is the definition of coloratura?
Term for high,florid vocal singing involving scales,runs and ornaments
What is the definition of ripieno?
In baroque music,especially concerto grosso, the term means the main group of instrumentalists as opposed to the small/solo group which was known as the concertino
What is the definition of concertino?
In a concerto grosso this is the name given to the small, solo group of instrumentalists as opposed to the main group, the ripieno
What is the definition of string quartet?
A chamber music ensemble made up of two violins, one viola and one cello
What is the definition of basso continuo?
Basso continuo is a form of musical accompaniment used in the Baroque period.
What is the definition of Coloratura?
Term for florid vocal singing involving scales, runs and ornaments where there are a number of notes sung to the one syllable.
What is the definition of concertino?
In a Concerto grosso this is the name given to the small, solo group of instrumentalists as opposed to the main group, the Ripieno
What is the definition of Concerto Grosso?
A Concerto grosso is an important form of music which developed throughout the Baroque Period having three main elements concertino, ripieno and basso continuo
What is the definition of exposition?
This describes the first hearing of the ‘theme’ and is normally associated with compositions structured in Sonata Form or Fugue
What is the definition of ripieno?
Ripieno is one of the elements of the Baroque Concerto Grosso. It describes the larger / main group of ensemble instruments.
What is the definition of ritornello?
Ritornello is used to describe a theme which returns frequently throughout a piece of music, or a movement within a larger piece.
What is the definition of tremolando?
Term for the rapid up-and-down movement of a bow on a stringed instrument creating an agitated, restless effect.
What is the definition of time changes?
The time signature specify how many beats are to be contained in each bar and which note value is to be given one beat.
What is the definition of harmonics?
The high eerie sounds produced on a bowed string instrument by lightly touching the string at certain points. On a guitar these will sound bell-like.
What is the definition of cluster?
A term used to describe a group of notes played on a keyboard instrument with the palm of the hand or even with the forearm.
What is the definition of rallentando?
The music gradually slows down.
What is the definition of a roll?
A very fast repetition of a note on a percussion instrument.
What is the definition of melismatic?
Several notes sung to one syllable
What are examples of ornaments?
A grace note, trill, mordent, acciaccatura
What is the definition of a grace note?
A grace note is a single note ornament such as the acciaccatura or appoggiatura.
What is the definition of a trill?
A trill is formed by quickly playing the note and the note above it alternately.
What is the definition of con sordino?
Creates around half the sound normally expected on an instrument, with the example a muted trumpet.
What is the definition of contrary motion?
Two parts which move in opposite directions, eg as one part ascends the other part descends.
What is the definition of an anacrusis?
The notes which appear before the first strong beat of a musical phrase particularly at the start of a piece. It sounds as an upbeat.
What is the definition of a triplet?
Three equal-value notes within one beat.
What is the definition of syncopation?
Strongly accented notes playing off or against the beat and occurs in all kinds of music.
What is the definition of an ostinato?
A short musical pattern repeated many times
What definitions come under the topic of style?
Sonata,Oratorio,Impressionist,Musique concrete,Plainchant,Mass,String quartets,Recitative,Chamber music,Jazz funk,Soul music
What definitions come under the topic of melody/harmony?
Mode/modal,Relative,major/minor,Interval,Obbligato
(instrumental),Acciaccatura,Mordent,Plagal cadence
Interrupted cadence,Tierce de Picardie,Dominant 7th,Diminished 7th,Added 6th,Harmonic minor scale,Melodic minor scale,Bass clef —
E–C,Note naming and transposing into bass clef, Chords I, IV, V and VI in major and minor keys —diminished, dominant
Naming and writing diatonic intervals formed from the tonic
What definitions come under the topic of rhythm/tempo?
6
8 time, Quavers,Crotchets,Dotted crotchets,Dotted minims,Triplets,Rests —Quaver,Crochet,Dotted crotchet,
Minim, Semibreve
Da capo, 3 against 2,Time changes,Irregular time signatures,Augmentation,Diminution
What definitions come under the topic of texture/structure/form?
Through-composed,Da capo aria,Lied,Passacaglia,Concerto grosso,Sonata form,Exposition,Subject,Basso continuo,Ritornello
What definitions come under the topic of timbre/dynamics?
Tremolando,Harmonics,Coloratura,Ripieno,Concertino,String quartet,Slurs,Accents,Staccato marks,Phrase marks
What is the definition of contrapuntal?
Texture in which each of two or more parts has independent melodic interest; similar in meaning to polyphonic.
What is the definition of ritardando?
The music slows down
What is the definition of lento?
Slow
What is the definition of adagio?
Slow, at ease
What is the definition of andante?
At a walking pace
What is the definition of moderato?
At a moderate speed
What is the definition of allegro?
Joyful/lively and fast
What is the definition of presto?
Very fast
What is the definition of accelerando?
Accelerating (getting faster)
What is the definition of crescendo?
Getting louder
What is the definition of diminuendo?
Getting quieter
What is the definition of forte?
Loud
What is the definition of fortissimo?
Very loud
What is the definition of mezzo forte?
Moderately loud
What is the definition of piano?
Soft
What is the definition of pianissimo?
Very soft
What is the definition of sforzando?
Sharply accented
