Middle Ages Flashcards
monophonic
- music consisting of a single melodic line
- no harmony or accompaniment
polyphonic
- 2 or more independent melodic lines heard simultaneously
modes
- 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
neumes
- earliest form of notation with notational symbols
- later in the shares of squares or diamonds positioned on a staff and representing specific pitches
a cappella
- Latin: “in the chapel”
- vocal music without instrumental accompaniment
plainchant/plainsong
- monophonic texture
- narrow melodic figures
- unmeasured phrase rhythm
- modal melodies
- roots in Judaic tradition
Gregorian chant
- form of plainchant
- named after Pope Gregory the Great
- sacred, liturgical music
syllabic
- one note for each syllable of text
- text is heard clearly
neumatic
- several notes (2-4) for each syllable of text
melismatic
- many notes for each syllable of text
- most elaborate and florid form of text setting
responsorial singing
- solo voice alternates with chorus
- solo passages referred to “verse”
- chorus passages referred to “respond”
gradual
- 4th section of Mass Proper
- derive primarily from Psalms
- generally melismatic and in responsorial style
organum
- polyphony based on plainchant
- vocal music in which new melodic lines are added to an existing chant
- intervals of P4, 5ths, 8ves
cantus firmus
- fixed melody/borrowed material
- found in the lowest voice
tenor
- “to hold”
- voice that contains the cactus firmus
ostinato
- “obstinate” or “persistant”
- rhythmic or melodic pattern repeated for an extended period
countertenor
- high male voice with strong, pure tone
- falsetto singing
motet
- vocal compositions with or without instrumental accompaniment
- sacred or secular
polytextual motet
- 2 or more texts heard simultaneously
- as a result, the words can be hard to distinguish
monophonic chanson
- French: “song”
- trouveres/troubadour tradition
- sometimes performed with improvised accompaniment
strophic
- same music performed for each verse of the poem
trouvere
- aristocratic poet-musician
- sang of courtly love
- northern France
troubadour
- aristocratic poet-musician
- sang of courtly love
- southern France
drone
- sustained pitch
- provides harmonic support
- common in folk music
rondeau
- fixed poetic form
- 4 verses with refrain
musica ficta
- raised or lowered pitches to avoid unwanted intervals
estampie
- early Medieval dance, danced by couples
- involves elaborate body movements
heterophonic texture
- simultaneous variation; same melody played in more than one way at the same time
- 2 or more voices
