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My Packs: RCM (Grade 9 History) > (Glossary) Terms > Flashcards

(Glossary) Terms Flashcards

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1
Q

Define:

Measure

A

A metrical unit containing a fixed number of beats; separated on the staff by bar lines

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2
Q

Define:

Meter

A

Fixed patterns of strong and weak beats

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3
Q

Define:

Simple Time

A

Time signatures where each beat contains two subdivisions

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4
Q

Define:

Compound Time

A

Time signatures where each beat contains three subdivisions

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5
Q

Define:

Syncopation

A

A deliberate shifting of the musical accent to a weak beat

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6
Q

Define:

Anacrusis (2)

A

An upbeat into a phrase

The last portion of a measure anticipating the downbeat

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7
Q

What is an anacrusis also called?

A

A pickup

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8
Q

What is rhythm?

A

The rhythmic pulse

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9
Q

Define:

Pitch

A

The highness or lowness of a particular sound

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10
Q

Define:

Range

A

The distance between the highest and lowest notes in a melody

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11
Q

Define:

Interval

A

The distance between any two pitches

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12
Q

Define:

Conjunct

A

Melodies that contain mostly stepwise direction

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13
Q

Define:

Disjunct

A

Melodies that contain many leaps and changes in direction

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14
Q

Define:

Motive

A

A short melodic or rhythmic fragment used to build a melody

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15
Q

Define:

Phrase

A

A unit of melody that comprises a complete musical thought, much like a sentence

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16
Q

Define:

Period

A

A basic building block that is used to create larger forms

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17
Q

How many measures long is a period, generally?

A

Eight measures long

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18
Q

How many phrases is a period comprised of, generally?

A

Two phrases

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19
Q

Define:

Sequence

A

Repetition of a short musical phrase at another pitch

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20
Q

What is a melody?

A

The main musical composition

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21
Q

Define:

Chord

A

A combination of three or more pitches that create a unit of harmony

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22
Q

Define:

Triad

A

A three-note chord that consists of a root, third, and fifth

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23
Q

Define:

Diatonic

A

Melodies/harmonies built from the notes of a major or minor scale

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24
Q

Define:

Chromatic

A

Melodies/harmonies that include notes outside the key or mode

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25
Q

What word does “chromatic” come from?

A

“Khroma”, Greek for “colour”

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26
Q

Define:

Consonance

A

An agreeable combination of tones that provides a sense of relaxation and stability

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27
Q

Define:

Dissonance

A

A combination of tones that sounds discordant, thus creating restlessness and a sense of instability

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28
Q

Define:

Harmonic Rhythm

A

The rate (frequency) or chord changes

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29
Q

Define:

Cadence

A

A specific combination of chords that provide moments of rest at the ends of phrases

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30
Q

What represents a cadence in grammar?

A

Punctuation

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31
Q

Define:

Modulation

A

The process of changing from one tonal centre to another, with or without a change of key signature

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32
Q

What is harmony?

A

The musical content that supports the melody and provides context

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33
Q

Define:

Binary Form

A

A two-part form: A || B ||

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34
Q

True or False:

Both parts do not repeat in binary form

A

False, both parts repeat in binary form

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35
Q

In binary form:

Section A generally ends with an ____ cadence in the ________ or relative _____ key

A

Open
Dominant
Major

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36
Q

Define:

Rounded Binary Form

A

A two-part form: A || B + A1 ||

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37
Q

What is the key difference between rounded binary form and binary form?

A

Rounded binary form: Opening material from section A returns after B material

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38
Q

Define:

Ternary Form

A

A three-part form: A || B || A ||

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39
Q

In ternary form:

Section A generally ends with a ______ cadence in the _____ key

A

Closed

Tonic

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40
Q

In ternary form:

Section B generally creates contrast in ___ and/or ________

A

Key

Material

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41
Q

How does Section A generally end in ternary form?

A

With a closed cadence in the tonic key

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42
Q

How does Section A generally end in binary form?

A

With an open cadence in the dominant or relative major key

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43
Q

Where is ternary form often used? (3)

A

Baroque arias

Classical menuet and trio movements

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44
Q

What is form?

A

The overall shape and design of a musical composition

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45
Q

Define:

Monophonic Texture

A

A single line of unaccompanied melody

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46
Q

Define:

Polyphonic Texture

A

A combination of two or more melodic lines

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47
Q

Define:

Homophonic Texture

A

A single line of melody supported by a harmonic accompaniment

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48
Q

What is texture?

A

The way melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic elements are woven together within a musical composition

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49
Q

Define:

Dynamics

A

The levels of volume in music

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50
Q

What are dynamics indicated by?

A

Traditionally indicated by Italian terms or symbols

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51
Q

Define:

Timbre

A

Tone colour, the quality of sound specific to a voice or instrument

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52
Q

Define:

Idiomatic Writing

A

Highlights the unique technical capabilities of an instrument in the style of writing

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53
Q

What is the opposite of idiomatic writing?

A

Generic

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54
Q

When was idiomatic writing developed?

A

In the Baroque Era

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55
Q

Define:

Tempo

A

The speed at which music is performed

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56
Q

How is tempo indicated?

A

Traditionally with Italian terms

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57
Q

Define:

Genre

A

The classification of a composition type

58
Q

Sonatas, symphonies, and operas are all examples of what classification?

A

Genre

59
Q

Define:

Opus

A

Indicates the order in which a composer’s works are organized

60
Q

What does opus mean?

A

Latin for “work”, usually abbreviated op.

61
Q

What word does “Fugue” come from?

A

“Fugere”, Italian for “to flee”

62
Q

What is a Fugue? (2)

A

A form favoured by composers in the Baroque era

A complex contrapuntal work dominated by a single theme called the subject

63
Q

Define:

Baroque

A

A term now applied to art, architecture, and music of the 17th and early 18th century

64
Q

What word does “Baroque” come from?

A

“Barroco”, Portuguese for “irregularly shaped or misshapen pearl”

65
Q

How was the term “Baroque” first used?

A

First used as a derogatory term in reference to the overly ornate art of the era

66
Q

Define:

Major-Minor Tonal System

A

Music based on major and minor scales

67
Q

What language did the major-minor tonal system gradually replace? During what era?

A

Modal Language

Baroque Era

68
Q

Define:

Terraced Dynamics

A

Baroque practice of changing volume levels abruptly

69
Q

Terraced dynamics was a practice during what era?

A

Baroque Era

70
Q 
Define:
Figured Bass (2)
A

A musical shorthand developed in the Baroque era

Numbers are placed below the bass line to show harmonic progression

71
Q

Figured bass was performed or realized by who?

A

Basso Continuo

72
Q

What did figured bass provide the structure for?

A

Guided improvisation

73
Q

Define:

Basso Continuo

A

Baroque performance practice

74
Q

How many performers does Basso Continuo generally involve? Explain

A

2
One playing the notated bass line
One realizing the harmonies as indicated by the figured bass

75
Q

What were harmonies often played on in Basso Continuo? (2)

A

Harpsichord or Organ

76
Q

Basso Continuo provides ________ _________

A

Harmonic framework

77
Q

Define:

“the Affections” (2)

A

A Baroque philosophy inspired by ancient Greek and Roman writers and orators
Refers to emotional states of the soul

78
Q

In Baroque music, a single “_________” or “______” (one clear emotion) is usually projected through an entire __________ or ________

A

Affection
Affect
Composition
Movement

79
Q

What was “the Affections” also referred to as? (2)

A

“Doctrine of Affections”

“the affects”

80
Q

Define:

Ornamentation

A

Musical embellishment to decorate a melodic line

81
Q

Define:

Concerto

A

A popular instrumental genre of the Baroque era for soloist(s) and orchestra

82
Q 
Define:
Ritornello form (2)
A

A structure employed in the first and third movements of the Baroque concerto
The opening passage (ritornello) is restated throughout the movement, serving as a refrain

83
Q

How is ornamentation notated?

A

Either represented with symbols or improvised

84
Q

What is the general structure of a concerto? What is frequently used in it? What is it intended to showcase?

A

Generally in three movements: fast-slow-fast
Frequently employed ritornello form
Intended to showcase the virtuosity of the soloist(s)

85
Q

What is the opening passage known as in ritornello form?

A

Ritornello

86
Q

Define:

Ripieno

A

A term used to denote the use of the full orchestra in the Baroque concerto

87
Q

What does ripieno mean?

A

Italian for “full” or “complete”

88
Q

Define:

Ostinato

A

A rhythmic or melodic pattern repeated for an extended period

89
Q

What does ostinato mean?

A

Italian for “obstinate” or “persistent”

90
Q

Define:

Pedal Point

A

A note, or a series of notes, sustained through harmony changes in other parts

91
Q

Define:

Programmatic writing

A

Music with a descriptive element, inspired by extramusical associations, like a story or painting

92
Q

What did programmatic writing evolve into?

A

Program music, a significant feature of 19th-century instrumental writing

93
Q

Define:

Equal Temperament

A

A method of tuning keyboard instruments

94
Q

How is the octave divided? Why?

A

The octave is divided into twelve equal half steps

Facilitated the composition and performance of music in all keys

95
Q

Define:

Clavier

A

A German word for keyboard instruments other than the organ

96
Q

Define:

Prelude

A

A short keyboard work in improvisatory style

97
Q

What is a prelude often paired with?

A

A fugue

98
Q

Define:

Fugue

A

A highly structured, imitative contrapuntal composition

99
Q

In a fugue, a ______ _____ or _______ prevails

A

Single theme

Subject

100
Q

Define:

Counterpoint

A

Combination of two or more independent melodic lines

101
Q

What is counterpoint also known as?

A

Polyphonic texture

102
Q

Define:

Subject

A

The initial statement of the main theme of a fugue

103
Q

What key is the subject in?

A

Tonic

104
Q

Define:

Answer

A

The second statement of the main theme in a fugue

105
Q

What key is the answer usually in?

A

Dominant

106
Q

Define:

Real Answer

A

An exact transposition of the subject

107
Q

Define:

Tonal Answer

A

A statement of the subject in which one or more intervals is adjusted to accommodate the harmony

108
Q

Define:

Countersubject

A

A recurring countermelody

109
Q

What does the countersubject accompany?

A

Accompanies entries of the subject and answer

110
Q

Define:

Episode

A

A passage within a fugue in which neither subject nor answer is present

111
Q

What is a frequent detail of an episode?

A

Frequently sequential

112
Q

Define:

Augmentation

A

Thematic material presented in longer time values

113
Q

Define:

Stretto

A

Overlapping subject entries in close succession

114
Q

Where does stretto come from? What does it mean?

A

Comes from Italian “stringere”, means “to tighten”

115
Q

Define:

Oratorio

A

A large-scale work for soloists, chorus, and orchestra

116
Q

What is an oratorio based on? What does an oratorio consists of?

A

Serious subject, generally based on biblical texts

Consists of recitatives, arias, ensembles, and choruses

117
Q

When was oratorios developed?

A

Developed in the Baroque Era

118
Q

Define:

French overture

A

A Baroque orchestral genre, often the orchestral introduction to an opera or oratorio

119
Q

Where were French overtures first developed?

A

First developed at the court of Louis XIV by Jean-Baptiste Lully

120
Q

How many parts are generally in a French overture? Describe the parts

A

Generally in two parts
First part: Slow tempo, homophonic texture, features dotted figures
Second part: Fast tempo, imitative texture

121
Q

Describe the first part of a French overture (3)

A

Slow tempo
Homophonic texture
Features dotted figures

122
Q

Describe the second part of a French overture (2)

A

Fast tempo

Imitative texture

123
Q

Define:

Libretto (2)

A

The text of an opera, oratorio, or cantata

Usually written by someone other than the composer

124
Q

Define:

Recitative (2)

A

A speech-like style of singing used in operas, oratorios, and cantatas
Follows inflections of the text, resulting in rhythmic flexibility

125
Q

What is the purpose of recitatives?

A

Usually used to advance the plot or storyline; moves through text quickly

126
Q

Define:

Recitativo secco

A

A speech-like, declamatory style of singing

Supported only by continuo

127
Q

What instruments can be part of the continuo? (2)

A

Keyboard

Cello

128
Q

Where is recitativo secco employed? (3)

A

Opera
Oratorio
Cantata

129
Q

Where does recitativo secco come from? What does it mean?

A

Italian, means “dry recitative”

130
Q

Define:

Recitativo accompagnato

A

A speech-like, declamatory style of singing

Allows for greater connection with the text

131
Q

What instruments support the recitativo accompagnato?

A

Instrumental ensemble or orchestra

132
Q

Where is recitativo accompagnato employed? (3)

A

Opera
Oratorio
Cantata

133
Q

Where does recitativo accompagnato come from? What does it mean?

A

Italian, means “accompanied recitative”

134
Q

Define:

Aria (3)

A

A solo song with accompaniment, head in an opera, oratorio, or cantata
Highly emotional and often virtuosic
May have lyrical or dramatic qualities; often serves to reveal the characters’ most intimate emotions

135
Q

Where does aria come from? What does it mean?

A

Italian, means “air”

136
Q

Define:

Da capo aria

A

An aria (solo song) employing a ternary (ABA) structure

137
Q

What is the return of Section A like in performance of da capo aria?

A

Generally ornamented

138
Q

What is the most common type of aria in Baroque opera and oratorio?

A

Da capo aria

139
Q 
Define:
Word painting (3)
A

Musical pictorialization
The music mirrors the literal meaning of the words
Achieved through melody, harmony, or rhythm

140
Q

Define:

Melisma (2)

A

A group of notes sung on a single syllable/vowel

Demonstrates vocal virtuosity and often serves to highlight key words

141
Q

Define:

Homorhythmic texture

A

All voices sing or play the same rhythm
Results in a blocked chordal texture (homophonic)
Delivers the text with clarity and emphasis

My Packs: RCM (Grade 9 History) (8 decks)

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