higher/n5 concepts Flashcards
Concerto Grosso
A small group of soloists (concertino) contrasts with a larger group of instrumentalists (ripieno).
Basso continuo
The basso continuo consists of a single bass line (for example, a cello) with a keyboard part (for example, a harpsichord) filling in the harmonies The basso continuo supports one or more melody lines.
Leid
A German song from the Romantic period for voice and piano in which both parts are important.
Cadenza
A showy passage for soloist alone in a concerto.
Concertino
The small group of solo instrumentalists in a concerto Grosso.
Ripieno
The main group of ensemble instruments in a concerto Grosso.
Interrupted Cadence
Chords V – VI at the end of a phrase. In a major key, chord VI is minor.
It sounds unfinished.
Perfect Cadence
Chords V I at the end of a phrase.
It sounds finished.
Plagal cadence
Chords IV to I at the end of a phrase.
It sounds finished.
Imperfect cadence
The last chord at the end of a phrase is V.
It sounds unfinished.
F sharps
G major
B flats
F major
No sharps or flats
C major
G sharp or Begins and ends with A
A minor
Diminution
A decrease in the length of notes.
Irregular time signatures
The time signatures change or there are an unusual number of beats in a bar.
Augmentation
An increase in the length of notes.
Triplets
A triplet is a group of three notes played in the time of two.
Homophonic
Texture where you hear a melody with accompaniment, or, where all the parts play a similar rhythm at the same time.
Polyphonic
A texture which consists of two or more independent melodic lines. It is similar to contrapuntal.
Syllabic
Vocal music where each note is given one syllable.
Melismatic
Vocal music where several notes are sung to each syllable.
Alberti bass
Broken chord accompaniment in the bass, often used in keyboard music.
Walking bass
A moving bass line with notes usually of the same value. It is often found in jazz styles.
Arco
Using the bow on a string instrument.
Pizzicato
Plucking a string instrument.
Tierce de Picardie
The final chord of a piece in a minor key is changed to major.
Glissando
Sliding from one note to another.
Descant
A melody which is sung above the main melody.
Countermelody
A melody played against the main melody.
Obbligato
A prominent solo instrument part in a piece of vocal music.
Con sordino
Con sordino means muted. Using a device which changes the sound of an instrument. Brass instruments and string instruments can use mutes.
