Melody/Harmony Flashcards
Ascending
Moving in an upward direction
Descending
Moving in a downward direction
Step/Stepwise
Moving by step to the note directly above or below
Leap/Leaping
Jumping between high notes and low notes
Repetition
Musical idea heard more than once in the exact same way by the same instrument/voice
Sequence
A pattern of notes repeated higher or lower
Question
An opening phrase in a melody
Answer
Reply to an opening phrase or musical answer
Semitone
The shortest distance in music / 1/2 a tone
Tone
An interval of 2 semitones
Octave
The distance of 8 notes
Pitch Bend
To slide up or down into a note. Often as guitarists bend strings or a trombone player slides between notes
Ornament
A decoration added to the melody using different or additonal notes
Grace-Note
A type of ornament played quickly before the note. Used mainly as decoration
Glissando
Rapid sliding up or down. Popular on Piano, Harp and Trombone
Trill
A rapid movement between two notes
Scale
A series of notes in order, often alphabetical. A scale made up of a pattern of tones and semitones
Chromatic
A scale built entirely on semitone
Pentatonic Scale
A scale based on 5 notes
Whole Tone Scale
A scale built entirely on tones`
Atonal
Music based on no particular key. Sounds dissonant an is hard to listen to
Moduation
A key change
Syllabic
One note to each syllable
Melismatic
Several notes sung to one syllable
Scat Singing
Nonsense words and sounds made up by a singer
Tonality
Whether the music is major or minor
Major
The music sounds bright and happy
Minor
The music sounds dull and sad
Chord
Two or more notes sounding/ played together
Chord Change
Moving from one chord to another
Chord Progression
A series of chords,forming the basis of most musical sections. Often called a chord pattern
Chords I, IV, V + VI
In a MAJOR key chords I IV and V are major, Chord VI is MINOR
Dischord
A chord in which certain notes clash producing an unpleasant sound
Broken Chord
Notes of the chord played seperately
Apeggio
Notes in the chord played one after another. Can spread beyond an octave
Vamp
A rythmic accompaniment with a bass note played on the strong beat and a chord played off the beat
Cluster
A group of notes played on a keyboard instrument with the palm of the hand, harsh to the ear
Descant (voice)
Another melody above the main tune
Counter Melody
A melody played against the main melody
Contrary Motion
Two parts moving in opposite directions
Pedal
A note which is continuously repeated in the bass part while the harmony changes over it
Inverted Pedal
A note which is held or repeated in the upper part while the harmony changes in the below it
Perfect Cadence
2 chords at the end of a phrase chord V to chord I the dominant to the tonic
Drone
One note held on or repeated in the bass. BAGPIPES
Improvisation
Music made up on the spot by the performer
Imperfect Cadence
2 chords at the end of a phrase. Chord I to chord V the tonic to dominant, sound/ feels unfinished
