Middle Ages

Question 1

monophonic

Answer 1

• music consisting of a single melodic line

- no harmony or accompaniment

Question 2

polyphonic

Answer 2

• 2 or more independent melodic lines heard simultaneously

Question 3

modes

Answer 3

• scale patterns distinguished by their unique order of tones and semitones
• used in the music of Ancient Greece
• served as the source for melodies in the Middle Ages and Renaissance

Question 4

neumes

Answer 4

• earliest form of notation with notational symbols

- later in the shares of squares or diamonds positioned on a staff and representing specific pitches

Question 5

a cappella

Answer 5

• Latin: “in the chapel”

- vocal music without instrumental accompaniment

Question 6

plainchant/plainsong

Answer 6

• monophonic texture
• narrow melodic figures
• unmeasured phrase rhythm
• modal melodies
• roots in Judaic tradition

Question 7

Gregorian chant

Answer 7

• form of plainchant
• named after Pope Gregory the Great
• sacred, liturgical music

Question 8

syllabic

Answer 8

• one note for each syllable of text

- text is heard clearly

Question 9

neumatic

Answer 9

• several notes (2-4) for each syllable of text

Question 10

melismatic

Answer 10

• many notes for each syllable of text

- most elaborate and florid form of text setting

Question 11

responsorial singing

Answer 11

• solo voice alternates with chorus
• solo passages referred to “verse”
• chorus passages referred to “respond”

Question 12

gradual

Answer 12

• 4th section of Mass Proper
• derive primarily from Psalms
• generally melismatic and in responsorial style

Question 13

organum

Answer 13

• polyphony based on plainchant
• vocal music in which new melodic lines are added to an existing chant
• intervals of P4, 5ths, 8ves

Question 14

cantus firmus

Answer 14

• fixed melody/borrowed material

- found in the lowest voice

Question 15

tenor

Answer 15

• “to hold”

- voice that contains the cactus firmus

Question 16

ostinato

Answer 16

• “obstinate” or “persistant”

- rhythmic or melodic pattern repeated for an extended period

Question 17

countertenor

Answer 17

• high male voice with strong, pure tone

- falsetto singing

Question 18

motet

Answer 18

• vocal compositions with or without instrumental accompaniment
• sacred or secular

Question 19

polytextual motet

Answer 19

• 2 or more texts heard simultaneously

- as a result, the words can be hard to distinguish

Question 20

monophonic chanson

Answer 20

• French: “song”
• trouveres/troubadour tradition
• sometimes performed with improvised accompaniment

Question 21

strophic

Answer 21

• same music performed for each verse of the poem

Question 22

trouvere

Answer 22

• aristocratic poet-musician
• sang of courtly love
• northern France

Question 23

troubadour

Answer 23

• aristocratic poet-musician
• sang of courtly love
• southern France

Question 24

drone

Answer 24

• sustained pitch
• provides harmonic support
• common in folk music

Question 25

rondeau

Answer 25

• fixed poetic form

- 4 verses with refrain

Question 26

musica ficta

Answer 26

• raised or lowered pitches to avoid unwanted intervals

Question 27

estampie

Answer 27

• early Medieval dance, danced by couples

- involves elaborate body movements

Question 28

heterophonic texture

Answer 28

• simultaneous variation; same melody played in more than one way at the same time
• 2 or more voices