Melodic Composition

Question 0

Elision

Answer 0

One phrase ends while the next begins simultaneously with a note or chord

Question 1

Internal expansion

Answer 1

Lengthens the piece anywhere other than the beginning or end

Question 2

Cadential extension

Answer 2

Expansion at the end of a phrase

Question 3

Motive/motif

Answer 3

Repeated notes to establish an identity

Question 4

Theme

Answer 4

Main musical idea

Question 5

Leitmotif

Answer 5

Motif associated with a person, idea or emotion

Question 6

Imitation

Answer 6

Second singer/part repeats the first singer/part’s notes

Question 7

Melodic inversion

Answer 7

Imitation of a melody performed upside-down

Question 8

Mirror inversion

Answer 8

Imitation by an exact major third up or down

Question 9

Variation

Answer 9

Small changes to an original motif

Question 10

Melodic sequence

Answer 10

Repeating the original motive on a different starting pitch

Question 11

Retrograde

Answer 11

Melody played backwards

Question 12

Retrograde inversion

Answer 12

Pitches of the original theme played inverted and backwards

Question 13

Augmentation

Answer 13

Same pitches with a lengthened rhythm

Question 14

Diminution

Answer 14

Note values are shortened

Question 15

Expansion

Answer 15

Adds new material to the original phrase typically at the end

Question 16

Modulation

Answer 16

Repeats the theme or motif exactly in a different key

Question 17

Mode mixture

Answer 17

Combining chords from the parallel major or minor to increase harmonic resources

Question 18

Ornamentation/embellishment

Answer 18

Adding/decorating the melody with nonchord tones

Question 19

Parallel period

Answer 19

Two phrases begin identically or one is a variation of the first

Question 20

Contrasting period

Answer 20

Two phrases are different from each other

Question 21

Double period

Answer 21

4 phrases ending with a PAC

Question 22

Antecedent

Answer 22

First two phrases of a double period

Question 23

Consequent

Answer 23

Last two phrases of a double period