Definitions Flashcards
Cantus firmus
“Pre-existing melody forming the basis of a polyphonic composition.”
Dotted rhythm
“A type of rhythm where a beat is unequally subdivided into a longer dotted note and a short note.”
Syncopation
“Where the rhythm is off-beat by changing the where the accented notes are played within the bar.”
Hemiola
“Where a rhythm appears to be in two but is actually in three. This is because of the shift in accents.”
Dactyl rhythm
“A rhythm which consists of a long note followed by two short notes.”
Anapestic rhythm
“Opposite of a dactyl rhythm. Two short notes followed by a long note.”
Antiphonal
“Music performed by two semi-independent choirs in interaction.”
Polyrhythm
“Many different rhythms at once.”
Oral tradition
“The art of learning by listening and copying.”
Idiophone
“An instrument that creates a sound by vibrating as a whole.”
Aerophone
“An instrument that creates a sound by a vibrating column of air.”
Chordophone
“An instrument that creates a sound by a vibrating part such as a string.”
Portamento
“Sliding from one note to another.”
Tessitura
“The range of pitch of an instrument used.”
Tasto solo
“Without harmony” - used to indicate that a note in the continuo section should be played by itself.
