higher/n5 concepts

Question 1

Concerto Grosso

Answer 1

A small group of soloists (concertino) contrasts with a larger group of instrumentalists (ripieno).

Question 2

Basso continuo

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

Leid

Answer 3

A German song from the Romantic period for voice and piano in which both parts are important.

Question 4

Cadenza

Answer 4

A showy passage for soloist alone in a concerto.

Question 5

Concertino

Answer 5

The small group of solo instrumentalists in a concerto Grosso.

Question 6

Ripieno

Answer 6

The main group of ensemble instruments in a concerto Grosso.

Question 7

Interrupted Cadence

Answer 7

Chords V – VI at the end of a phrase. In a major key, chord VI is minor.
It sounds unfinished.

Question 8

Perfect Cadence

Answer 8

Chords V I at the end of a phrase.
It sounds finished.

Question 9

Plagal cadence

Answer 9

Chords IV to I at the end of a phrase.
It sounds finished.

Question 10

Imperfect cadence

Answer 10

The last chord at the end of a phrase is V.
It sounds unfinished.

Question 11

F sharps

Answer 11

G major

Question 12

B flats

Answer 12

F major

Question 13

No sharps or flats

Answer 13

C major

Question 14

G sharp or Begins and ends with A

Answer 14

A minor

Question 15

Diminution

Answer 15

A decrease in the length of notes.

Question 16

Irregular time signatures

Answer 16

The time signatures change or there are an unusual number of beats in a bar.

Question 17

Augmentation

Answer 17

An increase in the length of notes.

Question 18

Triplets

Answer 18

A triplet is a group of three notes played in the time of two.

Question 19

Homophonic

Answer 19

Texture where you hear a melody with accompaniment, or, where all the parts play a similar rhythm at the same time.

Question 20

Polyphonic

Answer 20

A texture which consists of two or more independent melodic lines. It is similar to contrapuntal.

Question 21

Syllabic

Answer 21

Vocal music where each note is given one syllable.

Question 22

Melismatic

Answer 22

Vocal music where several notes are sung to each syllable.

Question 23

Alberti bass

Answer 23

Broken chord accompaniment in the bass, often used in keyboard music.

Question 24

Walking bass

Answer 24

A moving bass line with notes usually of the same value. It is often found in jazz styles.

Question 25

Arco

Answer 25

Using the bow on a string instrument.

Question 26

Pizzicato

Answer 26

Plucking a string instrument.

Question 27

Tierce de Picardie

Answer 27

The final chord of a piece in a minor key is changed to major.

Question 28

Glissando

Answer 28

Sliding from one note to another.

Question 29

Descant

Answer 29

A melody which is sung above the main melody.

Question 30

Countermelody

Answer 30

A melody played against the main melody.

Question 31

Obbligato

Answer 31

A prominent solo instrument part in a piece of vocal music.

Question 32

Con sordino

Answer 32

Con sordino means muted. Using a device which changes the sound of an instrument. Brass instruments and string instruments can use mutes.