Definitions Flashcards
Syncopation
When the accent is placed on the weaker beat of the bar
Polyphonic
Two or more melodies played at the same time
Monophonic
One melody played by one instrument
Homophonic
One melody with accompaniment
Strophic form
Same music for each verse
Art song
A song where a poem is set to music. Usually accompanied by a piano or orchestra and reflects the mood and meaning of the words
Sequence
A musical pattern repeated at a higher or lower pitch
Octave
A series of eight notes
Interval
The distance in pitch between notes
Triad
A chord of three notes
Chord
When two or more notes are played at the same time
Anacrusis
An upbeat to a piece
Syllabic
Each syllable of text is matched to a single note
Melismatic
One syllable is spread out over several different notes
Gregorian chant
The traditional music for Latin text in the worship of the Catholic church
Sequence
A musical pattern repeated at a higher or lower pitch
Triadic leaps
When leaps are based on the notes of a triad
Solo concerto
(In the baroque era) a piece of music composed for a soloist accompanied by an instrument group (ripieno/tutti)
Ritornello form
In this form the main theme returns again and again
Ornamentation
When a melody is embellished an ornamented
Basso continuo
A system used in the baroque era which provided the higher melody instruments with a solid harmonic accompaniment.
Cadenza
A feature of the concerto. The tutti pause and remain silent while the soloist improvises
Concerto
A composition for an orchestra and one or more solo instruments in several movements.
Episode
A contrasting section of music which occurs between the main themes in a piece of music.
Sonata
A composition for an instrumental soloist, often with a piano accompaniment typically in several movements with one or more in sonata form.
Lied
The setting of romantic German poems to music
Symphony
An elaborate musical composition for full orchestra
Tone poem
Piece of orchestra music usually in a single continuous movement
Intermezzo
A piece of music played between two scenes or acts in a play.
Farandole
A lively dance from Provence in France
Canon
A piece with one part (voice or instrument)
Atiphonal dialogue
Call and response between instruments and voices
Ornamentation
When a melody is embellished an ornamented
