Exam 1 Flashcards
Riff
A short (two to seven pitches), rhythmically interesting melodic idea. The melodic fragment is short, separated (ends on a long note or is followed by a pause), and syncopated. In the early 20th century, they were memorable (and therefore prominently positioned) and could be used as melodic building blocks. In rock era music, riffs were repeated, rather than varied , to create a larger musical unit
Melody
general term which is vaguely used to denote successions of single notes which are musically effective. Musically effective can be used to describe a memorable melody, a melody that fits nicely with the words, and a melody that is predictable and sustains interest out of context
Beat (3 meanings)
- Timekeeping- creates a regular rhythm you can tap your foot to
- Beats that are grouped into measures
- A template for rhythmic organization (the 8 beat rhythm is a rock beat)
Tempo
The speed of the beat measured in beats per minute. Can give a song its meaning, for example, punk songs are often 160-170 bpm, emphasizing its confrontational style
Measure/bar
A consistent grouping of beats. Two and four beat groupings are most common
Backbeat
A percussive accent occurring regularly on the second beat of beat pairs: 1 2 1 2 or 1 2 3 4
Syncopation
Accents that come between the beats of a regular rhythm, rather than with them.
Accent
a note, chord, or non-pitched sound that is emphasized in some way, so that it stands out. Often, accents stand out because they are louder or longer than the notes around them
Rhythm
the time dimension of musical sound: it encompasses any musical event heard as a function of time. Beat is the rhythmic point of entry into a performance and its main point of reference.
Rhythm section
heterogeneous group of instruments that includes at least one chord instrument (strummed and keyboard), one bass instrument, and one percussion instrument. They provide provide harmony, a bass voice, and percussive sounds
Performance style
One of the dimensions of sound variety in popular music. Musicians sing and play in a varied way, so each one has a distinctive style, for example, Elvis was very popular because he had a unique feel to his music
Innovation
Similar to performance style, the ability to develop a fresh, distinctive, and personal sound. Makes music popular
Texture
texture refers to the relationship among the parts—melody, bass line, and others (we consider the number of voices and instruments, the range between the highest and lowest sounds, and the areas in which sounds are concentrated). Density of sound can have an impact on mood. The melodic line is usually the most prominent part of the texture.
Harmony
refers to chords- what they are, how they are formed, how long they last, and how they succeed each other. A melody note, and especially a prominent melody note, is often part of the chord supporting it
Chord progressions
A sequence of chords. Many of the chord progressions in popular music follow well-used patterns, like the group of 3 chords I, IV, and V. The chords form a larger unit leading toward a goal chord
Form
The organization of a musical work in time. You hear clues that one section has ended and another has begun, and the clues will coalesce into a pattern so you can grasp the organization of the piece.
Verse/chorus form
The verse tells a story in several stages (this section is strophic, i.e., different words are set to the same melody), whereas the chorus, which comes at the end of each verse, repeats both words and melody to reinforce the main message of the song. In early verse/chorus songs, the chorus was often sung by a small group, usually a quartet.
Verse
different lyrics are set to the same melody
Chorus (refrain)
both words and music remain much the same every time
What was the dominant element of music in the 19th century
Melody was the dominant element throughout the nineteenth century not only because of the European influence of early nineteenth-century popular song, but also because melody was the easiest element to transmit via sheet music and songsters
What was the dominant element of music in the 20th century?
Rhythm was the dominant element throughout almost all of the twentieth century primarily because of the shift from a European to an African rhythmic conception, because the four style beats defined eras and styles more clearly than any other element, and because the progression of style beats so clearly demarcated the evolutionary path of popular music.
What has been the dominant element of music since the 1990s?
the search for distinctive sounds and sound combinations has come to the forefront: it has been the primary area of innovation. This was due in part to the extraordinary expansion of sound resources of all kinds and the relative ease with which they could be accessed and used. In addition, the evolution of rhythm had stopped by this point
Sources of instrumental sounds in popular music (5)
- Instruments inherited from popular music’s antecedents and contributing styles
- New ways of playing these inherited instruments
- Creation of new instruments specifically for use in popular music
- Use of electronic technology for sound modification
- Use of “found” instruments (clapping, cowbell, etc)
Different instruments shape genres of music
Scale
Combinations of whole and/or half steps