Grade 8 Theory Flashcards
agitato
agitated
El grillo meaning
The Cricket title
adagio
slow
Ordo Virtutum performing forces
Female voice - Soul and 16 Virtues, spoken male part (Devil), various instruments for improvised accompaniment
Harmonic rhythm
Rate of chord changes
leggiero
light, nimble, quick
grave
slow and solemn
primo, prima
first; the upper part of a duet
Phrase
A unit of musical thought, much like a sentence in writing
non
not
mano destra, m.d.
right hand
Sumer is Icumen In performing forces
Six voices as performing forces
semplice
simple
Alberti bass pattern
A broken chord arranged in a root-fifth-third-fifth pattern
piano, p
soft
vivace
lively, brisk
moderato
at a moderate tempo
Dripsody duration
1’ 28”
meno mosso
less movement, slower
Tempo primo (Tempo I)
return to the original tempo
Enharmonic equivalent major keys
Db/C#, Gb/F#, Cb/B (5 or more sharps or flats)
sehr
very
presto
very fast
D.C. al Fine
repeat from the beginning and end at Fine
Plainchant
A sacred genre representing the earliest form of notated Western art music. Consists of a monophonic modal melody with unmeasured rhythm and Latin text.
Oblique motion
Occurs when one voice remains stationary and the other moves
Metallophones
Instruments featuring metal bars of different sizes that are struck with a variety of mallets. Produce a shimmering bell-like sound.
prestissimo
as fast as possible
legato
smooth
tre corde
three strings; release the left pedal (on the piano)
Eine kleine Nachtmusik, K 525 tempo
Sonata in allegro
martellato
strongly accented, hammered
Non-chord tones
Decorative notes in a melody that do not belong to the chords.
Sumer is Icumen In meaning
Summer Is Coming meaning
Chromaticism
Extensive use of notes outside of the key signature, creates harmonic dissonance and tension
El grillo texture
Example of polyphonic texture with frequent homorhythmic passages
andante
moderately slow; at a walking pace
scherzando
playful
The Revolutionary Etude tempo
Etude with tempo of allegro con fuoco
Sumer is Icumen In texture
Example of notated polyphony (polyphonic)
Igor Stravinsky lifetime
1882 - 1971
Ordo Virtutum summary
Empowered by faith, the Virtues engage in a battle with the Devil to win over the Soul
Parallel motion
Occurs when two voices move in the same direction maintaining the same intervallic relationship
allargando, allarga.
broadening, becoming slower
Morality play
A genre created in the Middle Ages combining drama and music. Used allegorical characters to teach lessons and portray desirable behaviours.
Cadence
A progression of two or more chords that serve as punctuation
rallentando, rall.
slowing down
senza
without
Major pentatonic scale
Five pitches, major scale without 4 and 7
Parallel keys
Major and minor keys that share the same tonic
spiritoso
spirited
Modes
Scale patterns with distinct relationships of whole steps and half steps. Served as the source of melody and harmony in the Middle Ages and Renaissance.
Composer of Overture to a Midsummer Night’s Dream
Felix Mendelssohn
arco
on a bowed string instrument, resume bowing after a pizzicato passage
una corda
one string; depress the left pedal (on the piano)
Eine kleine Nachtmusik, K 525 composer
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Concert pitch
The pitch that is actually produced by a transposing instrument. Also called the “sounding pitch.”
Ordo Virtutum genre
Example of morality play
poco a poco
little by little
alla, all’
in the manner of
Syncopation
Syncopation involves a variety of rhythms which are in some way unexpected which make part or all of a tune or piece of music off-beat. Occurs when the pattern of strong and weak beats in a measure is altered, and the accent is shifted from the strong beat to the weak beat.
Overture to a Midsummer Night’s Dream Development
Theme 1 dominates, punctuated by ominous notes from the bass
Composer of Invention in C Major
Johann Sebastian Bach composed this invention
ritardando, rit.
slowing down gradually
cédez
yield; hold the tempo back
Medieval Era
ca 476 - 1450
Coda
A concluding section
Sumer is Icumen In genre
Has vocal works in the form of a round
Sitar
A multi-stringed plucked instrument with movable frets; similar to a lute or guitar. Five strings are used to play melodies, while two strings are used for drone and percussive effects.
Ordo Virtutum texture
Example of monophonic texture
poco
little
decrescendo, decresc.
becoming softer
con moto
with motion
Diminished triads
Created by contracting the perfect fifth in a minor triad to a diminished fifth
Chromatic pitches
Notes in a melody that are outside of the major or minor keys in which the melody is written. Also called colour accidentals.
dal segno, D.S.
from the sign
French horn transposition
Down a perfect fifth
Koko key
Example of blues in E flat minor
Chromatic scale
Based on half steps
Hildegard von Bingen
Composer of Ordo Virtutum (Play of Virtues)
Chopin lifetime
1810 - 1849
larghetto
fairly slow, but not as slow as largo
Development/Departure
Middle section of sonata form. Themes are developed; this often involves a departure to different keys.
Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 genre
Example of a concerto grosso
tutti
a passage for the ensemble
Short score
Used to condense an open score from four staves to two. Especially useful to facilitate playing all four parts on the keyboard.
Polonaise
Polish nationalist genre
a cappella
Literally means “for the chapel,” but refers to vocal music without instrumental accompaniment. Typical of Renaissance vocal music.
mezzo forte, mf
moderately loud
Composer of Petrushka
Igor Stravinsky’s ballet
Invention in C Major texture
Has polyphonic texture with imitative counterpoint
El grillo genre
Example of a frottola
comodo, commodo
at a comfortable, easy tempo
modéré
at a moderate tempo
Octatonic scale
Based on a consistent alteration of half and whole steps
Half cadence
A cadence that ends on the dominant triad - sounds incomplete or open
Classical Era
ca 1750 - 1825
pianissimo, pp
very soft
marcato
marked or stressed
anacrusis
The note or notes in the incomplete measure to start a piece. Also called the pickup. The time is subtracted from the last measure. The first measure plus the last measure.
Koko structure
Has an introduction, seven jazz choruses, and a coda
Romantic Era
ca 1825 - 1900
Triad
A set of three notes separated by thirds
Twelve-bar blues
Musical structure used in jazz, consisting of three four-measure phrases, based on a standard chord progression
andantino
a little faster than andante
Whole-tone scale
Based on whole steps
Invention in C Major genre
Example of a solo keyboard work
ritenuto, riten.
suddenly slower, held back
Invention in C Major performing forces
Originally for harpsichord or clavichord, now performed on piano
Eine kleine Nachtmusik, K 525 key
Sonata in G Major
Diatonic intervals
The upper notes belong to the major key of the lower note. Intervals built above the tonic note of a major key
grandioso
grand, grandiose
Electronic music
Music created by electronic means using devices such as tape recorders, synthesizers, and computers
tacet
be silent
Ostinato
A motif or phrase that persistently repeats in the same musical voice, usually at the same pitch. A recurring rhythmic or melodic pattern.
Example of Javanese Gamelan
Kaboran (Gamelan Prawa)
Tanpura
The tanpura (or tambura, tanpuri) is a long-necked plucked string instrument found in various forms in Indian music; it does not play melody but rather supports and sustains the melody of another instrument or singer by providing a continuous harmonic bourdon or drone.
Minor pentatonic scale
Five pitches, natural minor scale without 2 and 6
Keyboard style
Each chord is written in the treble clef in close position, to be played by the right hand. The notes in the bass clef are played by the left hand.
Quartal chord
Chord built on a series of 4ths
vite
fast
a tempo
return to the original tempo
molto
much, very
accent
a stressed note
Jazz
Largely improvised style, featuring syncopation, blues scale, and blue notes
rubato
with some freedom of tempo to enhance musical expression
The Revolutionary Etude other name
The Etude in C Minor, op. 10, no. 12 other name
ottava, 8va
the interval of an octave
cantabile
in a singing style
Frottola
A popular secular polyphonic vocal genre developed in Italy in the 15th century. Based on playful poems and lighthearted word painting.
Koko composer
Duke Ellington composed this
Clarinet transposition
Down a major second
common time
4/4/ time, C symbol
diminuendo, dim.
becoming softer
allegretto
fairly fast (a little slower than allegro)
ma
but (for example, ma non troppo: but not too much)
Rondo form
Formal structure developed in the Classical era, main section (A) alternates with contrasting sections (e.g., ABACA)
troppo
too much
fine
the end
Cluster chord
Chord consisting of a combination of at least three adjacent notes of any scale
sotto voce
soft, subdued, under the breath
Sonata form
The most important musical form invented in the Classical era. Consists of three scenarios: exposition, development, and recapitulation. May be understood as a musical journey, consisting of statement, departure, and return
Symmetrical scales
Chromatic, whole-tone, and octatonic. Often used in fragments rather than in complete scales.
Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 tempo
Concerto grosso in allegro time
calando
becoming slower and softer
giocoso
humorous, jocose
mano sinistra, m.s.
left hand
risoluto
resolute
Mendelssohn lifetime
1809 - 1847
dolce
sweet, gentle
animato
lively, animated
con
with
Mozart lifetime
1756 - 1792
Ritornello form
A form often used in the first and third movements of a concerto grosso. The opening passage (ritornello or “refrain”) is repeated throughout the movement.
accelerando, accel.
becoming quicker
mit Ausdruck
with expression
Compound interval
Interval wider than an octave. Can be either melodic or harmonic, within a single staff or between staves.
English horn transposition
Down a perfect fifth
Form
The overall structure or framework of a composition
Overture to a Midsummer Night’s Dream key
Concert overture in E Major
Concert overture
A category of program music, usually in sonata form
mesto
sad, mournful
tenuto
held, sustained
attacca
proceed without a break
quasi
almost, as if
col, coll’, colla, colle
with (for example, coll’ottava: with an added octave)
Composer of El grillo
Josquin des Prez, Franco-Flemish
secondo, seconda
second; second or lower part of a duet
Dominant 7th chord
Consists of a major third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh above the root
langsam
slow, slowly
Polyphonic / contrapuntal texture (or counterpoint)
The combination of two or more independent melodic lines.
schnell
fast
allegro
fast
volta
time (for example, prima volta: first time; seconda volta: second time)
bewegt
moving
El grillo performing forces
Four voices as performing forces
Program music
Instrumental music with associations with literature, visual arts, nature, historical events
Trumpet transposition
Down a major second
Hurdy-gurdy
Hurdy-gurdy is a stringed instrument that produces sound by a crank-turned, rosined wheel rubbing against the strings.
Open position
When triads are written with the notes spread out, either within a single staff or on the grand staff, this is called open position
Authentic cadence
The progression of V-I, which ends on the tonic and sounds final.
Etude
French word for study, focuses on technical skill of the performer, highlighting specific skills
tranquillo
quiet, tranquil
Josquin des Prez lifetime
1440 - 1521
Dripsody performing forces
Uses recorded sound of dripping water
mässig
moderate, moderately
con pedale, con ped.
with pedal
con fuoco
with fire
ad libitum, ad lib.
at the liberty of the performer
Raga
Literally means “color” or “atmosphere”; provides melodic structure of a composition or performance. A pattern of pitches defined by the number of notes it contains as well as the pattern of intervals. Used as a basis of extended improvisation.
Invention in C Major compositional devices
Invention based on a seven-note motive, treated using imitation, inversion, transposition, and sequence
tonic major and tonic minor
A major scale and a minor scale that have the same tonic
con grazia
with grace
loco
return to the normal register
assai
much, very much (for example, allegro assai: very fast)
Petrushka form
Example of rondo form (ABACABA)
Eine kleine Nachtmusik, K 525 performing forces
Uses two violins, viola, cello, and optional double bass; often performed by a small string orchestra
M.M.
metronome marking (Maelzel’s Metronome)
Polychords
Combination of two or more different chords simultaneously to create a dissonant sound.
Augmented triads
Created by expanding the perfect fifth in a major triad to an augmented fifth
Petrushka performing forces
Example of a large orchestra with expanded percussion including piano
Overture to a Midsummer Night’s Dream performing forces
Uses symphony orchestra
Homophonic texture
A singe line of melody supported by a harmonic accompaniment
l’istesso tempo
the same tempo
ben, bene
well (for example, ben marcato: well marked)
Tritone
Strictly defined as a musical interval composed of three adjacent whole tones.
Senza misura
Without measure
Petrushka Chord
A polychord consisting of a C major and F# major triad, used by Stravinsky
appassionato
Impassioned; with passion or strong feeling
stringendo
pressing, becoming faster
sostenuto
sustained
Similar motion
Occurs when two voices move in the same direction but with different interval relationships
Diatonic scales
Major and minor scales, contain only notes that belong to the scale
forte, f
loud
Motive
A short melodic or rhythmic fragment used to build a melody
più
more
Circle of fifths
Relates keys by fifths
The Revolutionary Etude composer
Frederic Chopin
Transposing instrument
An orchestral instrument that is notated in keys other than the sound that is actually produced.
Cadenza
A solo passage, in an improvisatory style, demonstrating the virtuosity of the performer.
Open score
Each instrumental or vocal part is written on its own staff
Tala
Literally means “clap”; provides rhythmic structure for a composition or performance. A metric cycle or regularly repeating rhythmic phrase that can include from three to over one hundred rhythmic units. Often expressed by percussion instruments such as the tabla (pair of drums).
Baroque Era
ca 1600 - 1750
maestoso
majestic
mezzo piano, mp
moderately soft
a tempo
return to the original tempo
Dripsody genre
Example of electron music
sopra
above
Eine kleine Nachtmusik, K 525 genre
Chamber music
Overture to a Midsummer Night’s Dream form
Overture in sonata form
Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 performing forces
Uses concertino consisting of harpsichord, violin, flute; ripieno consisting of string orchestra
staccato
detached
Imitation
Repetition of the same motive, in another voice (or part)
lento
slow
Raga themes
Expresses emotions, concepts (e.g., heroism), seasonal celebrations, and times of day and night
più mosso
more movement (quicker)
Melodic interval
When the notes of an interval are played one after the other
Exposition/Statement
First section of sonata form. The main themes are stated; this often consists of two contrasting themes.
pesante
weighty, with emphasis
Hildegard von Bingen lifetime
1098 - 1172
Blues scale
Six pitches - minor pentatonic scale plus either a raised 4 or a lowered 5
Ordo Virtutum vocal form
Example of plainchant
crescendo, cresc.
becoming louder
Dripsody composer
Hugh LeCaine composed this
fortepiano, fp
loud, then suddenly soft
Overture to a Midsummer Night’s Dream genre
Example of concert overture
Petrushka summary
The story of a puppet who is brought to life by the magician who created him
cut time
2/2 time, also called alla breve, C with vertical line through
Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 structure
Example of ritornello form
Inversion
Repeating a motive upside down
Duke Ellington lifetime
1899-1974
Gamelan
A traditional Javanese instrumental ensemble. Features metallophones, gongs, xylophones (instruments with wooden bars), drums and voices
quindicesima alta, 15ma
two octaves higher
The Revolutionary Etude key
Example etude in C Minor
Modern Era
ca 1900 - Present
Rota
Old English word for “round”. Strict imitation is created through successive entries of a melody in several voices
con brio
with vigor, spirit
sempre
always, continuously
pedale, ped.
pedal
Concerto grosso
Baroque orchestral work. Usually in three movements (fast-slow-fast). A group of solo instruments (concertino) is contrasted with a full string orchestra (ripieno)
simile
continue in the same manner as has just been indicated
Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 key
Concerto grosso in D Major
brillante
brilliant
Koko performing forces
Uses Big Band orchestra, including brass (trumpets, trombones), reeds (clarinets, saxophones), and rhythm section (drums, double bass, guitar, piano)
tempo
speed at which music is performed
Chamber music
Music for a small ensemble (two to ten players) with one player per part. Usually performed without a conductor.
Overture to a Midsummer Night’s Dream Exposition
Multiple themes in Exposition, different keys
Enharmonic equivalent minor keys
Bb/A#, Eb/D#, Ab/G# (5 or more sharps or flats)
léger
light, lightly
Ledger lines
Small lines used to extend the range of the staff. Used for notes that are above or below the five lines of the treble and bass staves.
Nationalism
Patriotism expressed through music
grazioso
graceful
Keyboard style
Each chord is written in the treble clef in close position, to be played by the right hand. The notes in the bass clef are played by the left hand.
Example of Raga
Evening Raga: Bhopali
vivo
lively
Neighbour tones
Non-chord tones are notes that are adjacent to chord tones. Melody goes from a chord tone to a neighbour tone and then back to the same chord tone. Labelled “nt.”
Close position
When triads are written with the three notes as close together as possible
da capo, D.C.
from the beginning
enharmonic change
when the name of a note is changed without a change in pitch
Harmonic interval
When the notes of an interval are played at the same time
Homorhythmic texture
All voices have the same rhythmic pattern, creating blocked chordal style. Text is very clear and easy to follow as a result.
Monophonic texture
A single line of unaccompanied melody
dolente
sad
Invention
A keyboard composition, in polyphonic texture. Based on imitation.
non troppo
not too much
Musique concrete
Early form of electronic where natural sounds were recorded on magnetic tape and then manipulated
Overture to a Midsummer Night’s Dream Recapitulation
Magical opening chords return
largo
very slow
e, ed
and
Polytonality
Two or more keys sounding simultaneously, creating dissonance
Passing tones
Non-chord tones that fill in the skips between notes that belong to the chords. All of these passing tones fall on the weak parts, or subdivisions, of the beat. Labelled “pt.”
Sumer is Icumen In composer
Anonymous composer of vocal work
con espressione
with expression
sonore
sonorous
espressivo, express.
expressive, with expression
Chromatic intervals
Intervals that have been altered with accidentals from outside of the major key of which the bottom note is the tonic
Period
A period consists of two phrases, of four measures each. E.g., a question-answer phrase pair.
con sordino
with mute
Ripieno
The body of instruments accompanying the concertino in Baroque concerto music. They blend in with the orchestra rather than standing out.
Composer of Brandenburg Concerto No. 5
Johann Sebastian Bach composed this concerto
morendo
dying, fading away
Sumer is Icumen In form
Example of a rota, or round
LeCaine lifetime
1914-1977
lentement
slowly
Eine kleine Nachtmusik, K 525 form
Example of a sonata
sforzando, sf, sfz
sudden strong accent of a single note or chord
Con forza
With force
Renaissance Era
ca 1450 - 1600
Sequence
A motive or phrase that is repeated at a higher or lower pitch in the same voice
pizzicato
on a bowed string instrument, pluck the string instead of bowing
fortissimo, ff
very loud
largamente
broadly
mouvement
tempo, motion
Tritone
The diminished fifth interval and the augmented fourth (enharmonic equivalents) are referred to as the tritone. Consists of three whole tones. Most dissonant interval in the tonal vocabulary. Referred to in the Middle Ages as the diabolus in musica or “devil in music.”
Binary form
A design in which there are two clearly defined parts or sections. These sections are often repeated. Uppercase letters - A and B - are used to label these larger sections within a piece of music. Often unfold within a sixteen-measure structure.
relative keys
major and minor keys with the same number of sharps or flats
volti subito, v.s.
turn the page quickly
Javanese Gamelan influenced….
Claude Debussy was influenced by…. (in his solo piano piece “Pagodes”)
Recapitulation/Return
Third and final section of sonata form. The return of main themes stated in the exposition.
Petrushka genre
Ballet example
Enharmonic equivalents
Notes that sound the same, but are spelled differently
Koko genre
Example of twelve-bar blues
meno
less
Contrary motion
Occurs when two voices move in the opposite direction
subito
suddenly
Word painting
Musical pictorialization. The music mirrors the meaning of the words through melody, harmony, and rhythm.
Jazz chorus
One full statement of the twelve-bar blues structure. Repetitions feature different soloists.
