Definitions Flashcards
Anacrusis
Anacrusis: is an upbeat to a piece, the beat is taken from the final bar of the piece and played at the beginning instead.
Ternary Form
Ternary Form: a piece of music consisting of two contrasting sections followed by a repetition of the first section
Syncopation:
Syncopation: a musical rhythm that stresses the weak beat instead of the strong beat.
Sequences
Sequences: is a repetition of a musical phrase at a higher or lower pitch.
Syllabic
Syllabic: each syllable of text is matched to a single note
Melismatic:
Melismatic: one syllable is spread over several different notes.
Gregorian chant:
Gregorian chant: the traditional music for Latin Texts in the worship of the Catholic Church
Strophic Form
Strophic Form: All verses of text are sung to the same music
Art Song
A song where a poem is set to music by a known composer.
Octave
A series of eight notes
Interval
The distance in the pitch between two notes
Chord
When two or more notes are played at the same time
Triad
A chord containing three notes
Triassic leaps
When leaps are based on the notes of a triad
Ornamentation
When a melody is embellished or ornamented
Sonnet
A poem with a certain amount of lines structured to it
Solo Concerto (from the baroque era)
A piece of music composed for a soloist, accompanied by and instrumental group. Know as tutti.
E.g in spring concerto solo violin is the solo instrument
Ritornello theme
Ritornello theme returns again and again.
Basso continuo
System used to provide the higher melody instruments with a solid harmonic accompaniment
Cadenza
A feature of the concerto. The tutti pause and remains silent while the soloist improvise showing his/hers technical skill
Programme Music
Music which tells a story or describes a scene
Episode
Contrasting sections that occurs between the main theme
Sonata
A composition for an instrumental soloist, often with piano accompaniment
Lied
A type of German song, especially in the Romantic era. Typically solo voice with piano accompaniment
Symphony
A musical composition for full orchestra
Tone poem
A piece of orchestral music on a descriptive theme
Intermezzo
A piece of music played between 2 scenes of a play
Farandole
A lively dance from Provence in France
Canon
Imitation at a fixed distance
Antiphonal dialogue
Call and response between instruments and voices
