Elements

Question 1

Melody

Answer 1

A series of pitches forming a musical line, a tune.

Question 2

Theme

Answer 2

A melody, usually short, that is used as the basis of a musical composition.

Question 3

Chord

Answer 3

Usually defined as 3 or more notes sounding together.

Question 4

Rhythm

Answer 4

The time element in music, how long or short notes are.

Question 5

Meter

Answer 5

The arrangement of beats into larger groups, usually regular groupings of 3 or 4.

Question 6

Tempo

Answer 6

Speed; how fast or slow.

Question 7

Timbre

Answer 7

Sound quality, tone color.

Question 8

Dynamics

Answer 8

How loud or soft the music is. (Forte = loud / Piano = Soft)

Question 9

Key

Answer 9

A collection of notes centered around a pitch.

Question 10

Major and Minor

Answer 10

The two main types of scales; though oversimplified, it can be helpful to think of them as “Happy” (Major) and “Sad” (Minor)

Question 11

Tonal and Atonal

Answer 11

Tonal music is “in a key,” Atonal music is not.

Question 12

Modulation

Answer 12

A change from one key to another.

Question 13

Cadence

Answer 13

A musical “Period” or “Comma” ; the end of a musical idea.

Question 14

Monophony

Answer 14

A single line of music.

Question 15

Polyphony

Answer 15

More than one note sounding at a time.

Question 16

Counterpoint

Answer 16

Multiple lines of music simultaneously. ( A subset of polyphony)

Question 17

Pitch

Answer 17

How High or low a note is; Higher frequencies = Higher Pitches.