Midterm study guide Flashcards
The speed of the beats
tempo
High and low sounds
pitch
AA ‘ A ‘’ A ‘’’ A ‘’’’ etc.
theme and variations
Patterns of long and short sounds and silences
rhythm
The unique sound or tone color of an instrument/voice
timbre
AB
binary
The way chords are built and how they follow each other
harmony
the order or overall pattern of a song
form
How loud or quiet the music is
dynamics
the number of layers in a piece of music and how complex they are
texture
ABA
ternary
Groups of a certain number of beats (2s, 3s, 4s, etc.)
meter
ABACABA or ABACADAEA (etc.)
rondo
a series of pitches that make sense together; the part you sing
melody
2 melodies at the same time (countermelody)
counterpoint
When you play a key on a harpsichord, a quill does this to the string to make a sound
plucks
When you play a key on a piano, this hits the string to make a sound
hammer
When you play a key on a celesta, a hammer hits this to make a sound
steel bar
This percussion instrument has a motor that operates fans inside each of its resonators
vibraphone
The wire or plastic strings on the bottom of a drum that vibrate against the head to make a “crunch” sound
snares
The “stick” used to play a violin is called a
bow
How the lip, facial muscles, and jaw are set while playing a wind instrument
embouchure
The flare at the end of the opening of an instrument where the sound comes out
bell
This medieval chant melody has been used in many movies at scary or suspenseful moments, it means “day of wrath”
Dies irae
Medieval secular song lyrics were usually written in this language
vernacular
two or more melodies at the same time
Polyphonic
Singing long groups of notes on a single syllable in a song, E.g., “Gl-o-o-o-o-o-o-ri-a” from the song, “Angels We Have Heard on High”
Melismatic
Singing only 1-2 notes on each syllable in a song, E.g., “An-gels we have heard on high”
Neumatic
Most of what we know about Leonin and Perotin comes from this student
Anonymous IV
Music having no steady beat or pulse
Non-metrical
One single melody with no harmony. E.g., Gregorian Chant
Monophonic
“fixed melody”, the lowest line in a motet
Cantus firmus
A fast dance in triple meter
Estampie
Multiple groups placed in different locations in a cathedral to create a surround sound
antiphonal choir
Pavanne, saltarello, galiard, ronde, allemande, etc.
Renaissance dances
Regarded as the greatest composer of the Renaissance
Josquin des Prez
Vocal music for 3-4 voices
motet
music for 3 voices (or parts), 1-2 of the lower voices (parts) would be played by instruments
Chanson
Italian Renaissance composer who was able to respond to church regulations on music and still make some kickin’ tunes
Giovanni Pierlulgi de Palestrina
Italian Renaissance composer who was one of the first to compose for larger groups and for antiphonal choir
Giovanni Gabrielli
This type of Renaissance-era music was mostly secular (not for religious purposes)
Instrumental music
Abrupt changes from loud to quiet
Terraced dynamics
A set or collection of dances that belong together
suite
A performer with sick technical skillz
Virtuoso
A set of violin concertos by Vivaldi
The Four Seasons
Piece for solo instruments and orchestra, usually has 3-4 movements
Concerto
Vivaldi taught violin and directed the orchestra here
Girl’s orphanage
Being paid to compose music for a specific occasion
Commission
Composer who was part of a long family line of professional musicians
Bach
