Music Flashcards
sound organized in time
music
the highness or lowness of a sound
pitch
orchestral musicians in the US tune to this note
A-440
The term for scholars who study the music of other cultures
ethnomusicologists
Curt Sachs and Erich von Hornbostel created how many groups of instruments?
4
What texture has two or more melodic lines unfold simultaneously
polyphonic
What is the art of taking an existing piece of music and giving instructions as to what each individual performer should play
arranging
The combination of instruments involved in a work of music
instrumentation
Another expressive factor expressing the sound of a piece is called
articulation
The primary way tension is created through harmonic _______.
Dissonance
what is the broadcast definition of music?
sound organized in time
improvisation
simultaneous composition and performance
how does raising the amplitude of a sound wave affect the sound?
sound becomes louder
a melody that moves primarily in half steps or whole steps conjunct melody
conjunct melody
Between which TWO pairs of notes on the keyboard are there no black keys?
B to C and E to F
From which key on the keyboard would a natural minor scale consisting only of white keys begin?
A
transpose
to move a piece of music from one key to another
What aspect of a melody must remain unchanged when it is transposed to another key?
the interval relationships between the notes
contour
the overall shape or direction of a melody
how does lowering the frequency of a sound wave affect the sound
pitch becomes lower
what is the frequency of A above middle C, the note to which orchestral musicians tune their instruments
440 Hz
chordophones
instruments that use vibrating strings to produce sound
idiophones
instruments whose bodies vibrate to produce sound
aerophones
instruments that use a vibrating column of air to produce
membranophones
instruments that use a vibrating column of air to produce sound
electrophones
instruments that use an oscillator to produce sounds
what instrument family includes the flute, bassoon, and saxophone
woodwinds
what instrument family includes the tuba, french horn, and bugle
brass
what are five examples of stringed instruments
violon, viola, cello, doublebass, and guitar
what instruments family includes the marimba, timpani, and vibraphone?
percussion
what are four examples of keyboard instruments
piano, harpsichord, organ, and celesta
pitch
the higness or lowness of a sound
what interval is produced by halving the length of a string on a guitar
octave
where is middle c located on the piano keyboard
roughly equidistant from either end
overtones
weaker frequencies that color the sound of a note
into how many equal parts does equal temperament divide the octave
12
chromatic scale
the 12 pitches of the octave, played in ascending order
what does a sharp symbol indicate
the note should be raised
what does a flat symbol indicate?
the note should be lowered
what are the notes g# and Ab, which are identical in pitch referred to as?
enharmonic
how many pitches does a diatonic scale contain
seven
why is the seventh pitch in a scale called the leading tone
it begs to resolve upward to the tonic pitch
what is the role of the tonic pitch
acts as a point or repose and completion
dominant pitch
the fifth scale degree
performance practice
a study of how music actually sounded when it was written
interval
the distance between two pitches
what unit of measurement is used to describe an interval
half step or semitone
What is the highest note of a triad known as?
the fifth
melodic interval
two pitches played consecutively
what is the interval between c and g ascending
perfect fifth
what is the interval between a and c ascending
minor third
what is the interval between f and b ascending
tritone
what is the interval between ^6 and ^7 in a major scale
whole step
What determines the number of beats per second created by two interfering sound waves?
the number of beats per second created by two interfering sound waves is equal to the difference in frequency between the two waves (f1 - f2 = bps).
what is the interval between ^2 and ^3 in a major scale
whole step
what are the 3 varieties of minor scale
natural, melodic and harmonic
hat scale degree is always lowered in a minor scale
^3
how does harmonic minor differ from natural minor
the seventh scale degree is raised in harmonic minor
relative major and minor
major and minor scales that use the same pitches, but different tonics
parallel major and minor
major and minor scales that contain the same pitches
andante
at a walking pace
which scale degrees can be lowered in a blues scale
^3 and ^5
melody
a series of successive pitches perceived but the ear ti firm a whole cohesive
how many pitches can occur simultaneously in a melody
1
what is the fastest tempo
presto
what is the slowest tempo
lento or grave
andante
at a walking pace
what other name is used to refer to a full cadence?
authentic cadence
on what harmony does half cadence rest?
the dominant
theme
a set of phrases making up a complete melody which figures prominently in a piece of music
how does the sequence differ from repitition?
in sequence, the repetition occurs at varying pitch levels
what symbols are used to label complete sections of MUSICAL FORM IN A DIAGRAM?
capital letters
what TWO contrasting elements must a listener be able to recognize in musical variation?
continuity and alteration
what symbol is used to denote a variation on a theme?
a “prime” mark added to the same capital letter used for the theme
what meter is generally used for a twelve-bar blues?
duple
What THREE harmonies appear in a standard twelve-bar blues?
I, IV, and V (tonic, predominant and dominant)
How is contrast used in ternary form?
There is a contrasting middle section between the similar first and last sections.
What kind of cadence is used to end each section of ternary form?
authentic cadence
What name is ternary form also known by?
ABA form
rondo form
a form made up of a multiple sections, one of which recurs
how does rondo form differ from ternary form?
rondo form is less structured than tenury form and allows for more and different sections
how long are the sections of a standard 32-bar form?
8 measures each
What diagram is typically used to represent a 32-bar form
AABA
fugue subject
a single theme developed using a counterpoint
countersubject
a companion theme to the fugue subject
imitation
the approximate repetition of a melodic idea a a different pitch level
what musical texture best describes a fugue?
polyphony
At either of what TWO intervals from an original subject does the second line of a fugue usually imitiate the subject?
a fifth higher, or a fourth lower
what THREE main sections make up the sonata form
exposition, development, and reacapitualition
how many major musical ideas are present in a sonatat?
2
To what key does the sonata form usually modulate for the second idea
the dominant
how does the exposition of a sonata form generally end?
a strong cadence in the dominant key
Which section form is the most harmonically unstable?
the development
how does the development of a sonata form generally end?
a half cadence in the dominant key
How does the reacapitulation differ from the exposition in the sonata form
the second msuical idea does not modulate to the dominant key in the recapitulation
movements
shorter, distinct pieces that make up a longer work
what pattern of tempos usually appears in four-movemet, but not three-movement, sonata cycles?
a dance-like “minuet and trio” movement
performance practice
a study of how music actually
In a sound wave, what is the difference between compression and rarefaction?
A sound wave moving through the air causes pressure changes. Compression refers to the space where air pressure is increased, while rarefaction is the area where air pressure is decreased. One cycle of compression and rarefaction creates a complete sound wave.
What is a “period” as it relates to the physics of sound?
A period is the length of time that a sound wave takes to complete one cycle of compression and rarefaction creates a complete sound wave.
What physical property of a sound wave determines its pitch?
The frequency of the sound determines its pitch.
What physical property of sound does frequency measure?
Frequency measures the rate of the vibrations of a sound in hertz.
What is the unit of measurement for frequency, and for whom is it named?
The unit is named after Heinrich Hertz, a German physicist; hertz measures the frequency of a sound wave in cycles per second. One hertz is one cycle per second.
In what way does a change in the frequency of a sound after its ptch?
Higher frequencies correspond to higher pitches, and lower frequencies correspond to lower pitches.
Who is believed to have first discovered that musical pitches are related to each other by specific ratios?
Pythagoras
Notes that are separated by an octave are how many half steps apart?
Two notes an octave apart are separated by 12 half steps.
What is the ratio between the frequencies of two notes that are separated by one octave?
2:1
If a given note has a frequency of 440 Hz, what is the frequency of a note that is one octave higher?
880 Hz (440 x 2)
In modern Western music, what is the standard frequency used in most orchestras of the tuning note A4?
440 Hz
How many pitches are contained in one octave of a chromatic scale?
One octave of the chromatic scale consists of 12 pitches spaced fairly evenly throughout the octave. If these pitches have been obtained by precisely dividing the frequencies between the two octave notes, then the scale has been tuned with equal temperament.
What is a “sound envelope”?
“Sound envelope” is the term used to describe the lifespan of a sound.
What are the three parts of the sound envelope?
The sound envelope consists of the attack, sustain, and decay of a sound.
What creates the attack of a note?
The attack is caused by the initial resistance of the instrument to the force causing the sound vibrations, such as the movement of a bow on a string.
What is happening to the wave during the decay of a sound?
The decay of a sound is created by the decrease in force and amplitude of the vibrations of the wave.
What is amplitude?
Amplitude is the distance that a wave moves from its equilibrium position while vibrating.
What is intensity?
Intensity is a measure of the power, or energy per second, of a sound wave as it vibrates.
How are amplitude and intensity similar?
Amplitude and intensity both affect the volume of a sound wave as it is perceived by the ear.
What is the relationship between amplitude and frequency?
Ideally, there is none. A strict change in the frequency of a pitch will not change its amplitude, and vice versa.
Describe the amplitude and frequency of a note that is low-pitched and loud.
The low pitch is a result of a low frequency, and the loudness a result of a high amplitude.
What unit is used to measure amplitude?
decibel (dB)
From what scientist does the decibel take its name?
A decibel is one-tenth of a bel, which is named after Aexander Graham Bel..
What does a measurement in decibels indicate?
A measurement in decibels gives the ratio between the intensities of two different sounds
What is the decibel measurement for the human threshold of hearing?
0 dB
Why is the measurement of 120 dB significant?
An amplitude of 120 dB is the human threshold of pain.
What does the term “dynamics” refer to?
Dynamics describe the different volumes in a piece of music such as forte or pianissimo.
What language is used for indicating dynamics in music?
Italian
Put the following terms in order according to the level of volume that they indicate, from softest to loudest: forte, mezzo piano, pianissimo, fortissimo, piano, mezzo forte
pianissimo, piano, mezzo piano, mezzo forte, forte, fortissimo
What is the difference between a crescendo and decrescendo?
A crescendo indicates a gradual increase in the volume of music; a decrescendo indicates a gradual decrease in the volume of music.
What is timbre?
Timbre refers to the qualities of a sound that distinguish it from another sound of the same pitch and volume. Timbre is also known as “tone color.”
What are harmonics?
Harmonics, or overtones, are the pitches above the fundamental that occur naturally when a sound is produced.
what is the interval between a fundamental pitch and its first overtone?
The first harmonic, or overtone, is exactly one octave higher than its fundamental pitch.
What type of sound does a sine wave represent?
A sine wave represents the sound wave of a note with no overtones.
What sort of wave is used to represent a pitch that is heard with only odd overtones?
A square wave.
What sort of overtones are present in a sawtooth wave?
A sawtooth waveform is used to indicate a pitch that is heard with all of its overtones.
Name three factors that affect the sound spectrum of an instrument
The sound spectrum is affected by the frequency of the fundamental; the number, distribution, and intensity of the overtones; and the interactions between the harmonics themselves.
What cause interference?
The overlap of multiple simultaneous sound waves
What is constructive interference?
constructive interference occurs when simultaneous sound waves “in phase”;: they match up trough to trough and crest to crest, resulting in an amplitude that is the sum of all of the individual amplitudes.
What is the product of constructive interference?
Constructive interference results in a sound wave with an amplitude equal to the sum of the amplitudes of its component waves.
What causes destructive interference?
Destructive interference occurs when two interacting waves are “out of phase”: they are not perfectly aligned.
What is the result of destructive interference?
Destructive interference fully or at least partially cancels out the amplitudes of its component waves.
What causes beats?
Beats are caused by the interference between sound waves that are cycling between being out of phase, (which decreases the amplitude) and in phase (which increases the amplitude).
What determines the number of beats per second created by two interfering sound waves?
the number of beats per second created by two interfering sound waves is equal to the difference in frequency between the two waves (f1 - f2 = bps).
diatonic
within the key
Which scale degrees correspond to major triads in a major key
1,4,5
which scale degrees correspond to minor triads in a major key
2,3,6
why does the dominant triad resolve to the tonic
it contains both the fifth scale degree and the leading tone
predominant harmonies
harmonies that pull to the dominant chord
on which scale degrees are the most common predominant harmonies based
2,4
what is the most common chord progression
predominant, dominant, tonic
how is the smoother voice leading created
by inverting chords so that each layer of the chord progression is conjunct
what scale degrees make up a dominant seventh chord
5,7,2,4
why does the dominant seventh chord have such a strong to pull to resolve
it contains a tritone
what is the strongest ending for a bass line
5 to 1
what are the most embellishments of a triad
adding a sixth seventh or ninth above the root
what distinguishes complex harmony from simple harmony
complex harmony uses more chromatic pitches
what does it mean for a piece of music to modulate
change keys
what is the name of schoenbergs system of pitch relationships
the twelve tone method
polytonality
using two keys simultaneously
texture
the number of things going on in a piece of music
what are the four types of texture in music
monophony, heterophony, homophony, and polyphony
monophony
music consisting of a single unaccompanied melodic line
what are the components of homophonic music
melody and harmony
polyphony
two or more melodies unfolding at the same time
what is the name of the technique used by western composers to produce polyphony
counterpoint
melodies in the counterpoint
melodies with the same beat and harmonic progression
instrumentation
the instrument or combination of instruments used in a piece
why is it difficult to determine the pitch of a church bell
bells produce very strong overtones
why does a clarinet produce a clear note with little ambiguity in pitch
only strong overtones reproduce the pitch being overplayed
instrument attributes determining its timbre
the material form which it is made and the amount of resonance
dynamics
the loudness and softness of a sound
pianissisimo
as softly as possible
fortississimo
as loudly as possible
crescendo
a gradual increase in dynamics
decrescendo or diminuendo
a gradual decrease in dynamics
mp
mezzopiano
ff
fortissimo
articulation
the mechanics of starting and ending a sound
staccato
short detached notes
what part of the mouth does a woodwind player use to create a staccato effect
his tongue
legato
notes that are played in a smooth connected manner
bouncing the bow or plucking the string(pizzicato)
violin techniques used to produce staccato
what is the difference between staccato and an accent
an accent has a more sudden beginning and does not require separation before the next note
ornamentation
localized embellishments, often unwritten
symbol for staccato
a dot placed under or over the note head
symbol for legato
a curved line connecting multiple note heads
tenuto
notes that are stressed without force
symbol for tenuto
a horizontal line under or over the note head
form
the organization of a piece of music on a larger scale
what two visual representations are used to express musical form
scores and diagrams
tension and release
complementary elements shape to a chord progression or melody
what method is the primary way to create tension in music
harmonic dissonance
motive
smalleest identifiable recurring musical idea
phrase
cohesive musical thought
antecedent and consequence phrases
the two members of a related pair of phrases
cadence
a resting point in a piece of music
a melody that moves primarily in intervals larger than a minor second
disjunct melody
the high, middle , and low parts of an instruments’ range
register
what is the distinguishing feature of a melody with a high tessitura?
it calls for many notes in the high register of an instrument’s range
the way music is organized in time
rhythm
the steady pulse that underlies most music
beat
the speed of the beat
tempo
the tempo of a piece slowing down
ritardondo
the tempo of a piece speeding up
accelerando
a piece f music with no beat
unmetered music
a piece of music iwth a beat that speeds up or slows down for expressive purposes
rubato
which beat of a musical measure is strongest?
the first, also called the downbeat
the pattern of emphasis superimposed on groups of beats
meter
a group of beats
a measure, or bar
music with groups of 2 or 4 beats
duple meter
a note that falls before the downbeat of the first measure
pickup, or anacrusis
What THREE elements of notation indicate the duration of a note?
the note head, the flags on the stem, and dots
How many numbers do time signatures contain?
2
what does the top number of a time signature represent
the number of beats in a measure
what does the bottom number of a time signiture represent?
how long one beat is
a beat with a triple subdivision
compound meter
measures with different meters occurring in succession
mixed meter
two or more meters occurring simultaneously
polymeter
emphasizing notes that fall on weak beats or in between beats
syncopation
two or more conflicting rhythmic patterns occurring simultaneously
polyrhythm
two or more tones sounding simultaneously
harmony
the system used in western cultures to organize pitch and harmony
common practice tonality
3 or more
how many notes must there be in a chord
a three note chord up of two intervals of a third
triad
what are the FOUR types of triad
major, minor, diminished, and augmented
in ascending order, what intervals make up a major triad?
a major third and a minor third
in ascending order, what intervals make up a minor triad?
a minor third and a major third
in ascending order, what intervals make up a diminished triad?
a major third and a major third
what is the lowest note of a triad known as?
the root
WHAT IS THE HIGHEST NOTE OF A TIRAD KNOWN AS??????????????????????????
the fifth
Under what circumstance can the human ear not hear beats?
Beats cannot be detected by the human ear if they become too fast. If two interfering pitches are far apart in frequency, there will be too many beats per second for the ear to perceive them.
What scientist extensively studied the frequencies of interfering waves and the beats they produce?
Hermann von Helmholtz
According to Helmholtz, which three ratios between frequencies and corresponding intervals create the “smoothest” sounds?
1:1 (two notes of the same pitch), 1:2 (an octave(, 2:3 (a fifth)
What is the difference between consonance and dissonance?
Consonance occurs when interacting pitches and their overtones are complementary so do not produce audible beats; dissonance is when overtones clash with one another and create beats.
In addition to harmonics and beats, what quality of a n instrument affects its timbre?
The material of which the instrument is constructed affects its timbre.
When a material is forced into vibrating at one of its naturally occurring frequencies, what do we call this response?
resonance
what is polyphone
polyphonic music inclues two or more separate melodies occurring simultaneously
what term is used to describe the texture of music that has a single melody accompanied by music hat is written in the same key as the primary melody
homophony
what is heterophony
heterophopnic music features a single meoldy that is played in slightly different forms by multiple voices or instruments at the same time
describe homorhythmic texture
homorhythmic texture occurs when the accompanying parts have the same rhythm as the primary melody
what is polyrhythmic teutre
occurs when two or more lines of music with differen meters are played simultaneously
what is form
the term used to refer to the overall framework or organization of a piece of music
what is the form of a piece of music that has two or more distinct sections
compound form
name the musical form that consists of ovements inspired by dances
a suite
what is an open form
in which a sectionor piece ends unresolved or in a key other than the ones in which it behan
what is close form
a piece written in closed form features a definite resolution and a sense of closure; it ends o nthe tonic of the key in which it began
wehat textural and melodic similarities exist between a fugue and a motet
both feauture extensive polyphony and melodic repetition
ethnomusicology
the study or comparitive study of the music of other cultures
why does an arbitary dropped object not produce a pitch?
its sound wave is short and irregular
what THREE techniques are used to make the strings of chordophones vibrate?
plucking, bowing or striking the strings
What frequencey describes the pitch A played one ctave lower than A -440
A-220
fundamental harmonic
the loudesr and strongest pitch produced by asound wave
what note is the enharmonic equivalent of C#
Db
what note is the enharmonic equivalent of Bb
A#
what note is the dominant equivalent of G
D
which triad inversion has the third on the bottom?
first inversion
a triad with the root position note at the bottom
root position
the set of pitch relationships in which a piece or section of a piece of music occurs
key
what pitch determines the name and gravitational center of a key?
the tonic pitch
whcih scale degrees stermine whether a key is major or minor
^3 ^6 and 7^
chromatic pitches
pitches that are not within the key of a piece of music
a set of accidentals that indicate the key
key signiture
Define rhythm.
Rhythm is the ordering and grouping of sounds and silences through time.
What term is used to refer to the basic pulse of music?
beat
What happens to the beats of a piece if the tempo increases?
An increase in tempo means the music moves faster, causing the beats to come closer together in time.
What is the difference between tempo and meter?
Tempo merely measures how fast the beat is while meter refers to the rhythmic groupings of stressed and unstressed beats.
what note is the dominant pitch in the key of g?
D
what note is the dominant pitch in the key of Bb
F
‘what note is the dominant pitch in the key of D#
A#
What note is the leading tone in the key of A
G#
What note is the leading tone in the key of f
E
what is the term for the form of a song that contains several unique sections without repetition
through composed
wat interval occurs between F and G#
augmented second
what interval occurs between ^6 and raised ^7 in a harmonic minor scale?
augmented second
which minor scale changes its pitches when played descending?
melodic
how much larger than an octave is a minor ninth
a minor second
how much larger than an octave is a major tenth
a major third
how many half steps does a major ninth contain
14
what does a key signature that includes a D flat imply?
the pitch of D will automatically be lowered for the rest of the piece
how many accidentals are there in the key of c?
none
how many and what type of accidental are there in the key of F?
1 flat
How many and what type of accidentals are there in the key of G?
1 sharp
how many and what type of accidentals are there in the key of E?
4 sharps
the quality of a pitch, interval, or chords that makes it seem suitable for rest or resolution
consonance
an interval made up of three whole steps
tritone
according to USAD, what instruments are included in a typical jazz band?
clarinet, trumpet, trombone, saxophone, piano, double bass, and percussion
in order from highest to lowest, what are the strings of a cello
a3, d3, g2, c2, the same letters as a viola but an octave lower
What is a diatonic scale?
A diatonic scale is a scale that uses notes from the chromatic scale, but contains only seven notes per octave. For example, the major and minor scales are types of diatonic scales.
what is the typical range of the alto voice?
G3 to D5, +/- one or two notes
what is periodization?
periodization is the process of dividing history into specific memorably segments
who first used the term renaissance
Jules Michelet, a 19th century french historian
Who wrote the Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy?
Jacob Burkhardt, a 19th century Swiss historian
What are the most common meters in Western music?
duple meter (groups of two beats) and triple meter (groups of three beats)
What is the difference between simple and compound meter?
A simple meter is one in which each beat is divided in half; in compound meter, beats are divided into groups of three.
What is a downbeat?
A downbeat is the first beat of a measure. It is almost always an accented beat.
Music notation must provide at least what two important pieces of information about the work?
Music notation must clearly indicate the pitches of the notes and their durations.
What elements of Wester musical notation are used to indicate pitch?
The clef and the placement of notes on the stuff indicate the desired pitches.
What elements of musical notation indicate the duration and rhythm of notes?
The appearance and shape of the notes and the different symbols used to indicate rests indicate the intended rhythm and duration of notes.
Who created the system of musical notation upon which the modern Western system is based?
Franco of Cologne (13th Century)
What do rests indicate?
Rests indicate that there should be a silence of a certain length in the music.
What is syncopation?
Syncopation occurs when beats are stressed at unexpected or unusual times.
What does a 5/8 time signature indicate?
A 5/8 time signature means that there are five (5) beats per measure and that the eighth (8) note receives one beat.
How does a note change if a dot is added next to it?
A dot next to a note indicates that the duration of the note equals the length of the original note plus half its length. For example, a dotted eighth note has the length of an eighth note plus a sixteenth note.
In what unit is tempo usually measured?
Tempo is usually measured in beats per minute.
What is the difference between the terms adagio and allegro?
both adagio and allegro are terms that indicate; however, adagio means “slow” while allegro means “fast.”
What does the tempo marking “maestoso” mean?
“majestically”
What is melody?
Melody refers to a series of pitches that form a cohesive tune.
How are notes on the staff named?
Notes on the staff are named using the letters A through g.
What is another name for the treble clef?
G clef
What is another name for the bass clef?
F Clef
The second line from the bottom of a treble-clef staff is a
G
What is the grand staff?
The grand staff includes both the treble and bass clef staffs so that a wide range of pitches can be seen at once.
What is a scale?
A scale is a sequence
what textural and melodic similarities exist between a fugue and a motet
both feature extensive polyphony and melodic repetition
how many sections does a piece of binary from contain
two
what is the typical chord progression within sections in binary form
the first section moves from the tonic to the dominant; the second section moves from the dominant back to the tonic
how is rounded binary form different from simple binary form
in rounded binary form, the first section returns to the tonic in a slightly modified way after the second section, thus creating the a section, in simple binary the b section contains the return to the tonic
what is the differenve between ternary form and rounded binary form
ternary form has three sections. the third section is identical to the first whereas rounded binary form includes a return if the A section in a modified form
what is the structure of a rondo
a rondo contains one section that alternates with at least two other sections, creating the structure abacada
what is the name of the binary form most common in american popular music
verse/chorus or verse/ refrain
what is a bridge
a bridge is a unique section added to a binary form song, typically before the last refrain
how does the inclusion of a bridge add to the musical complexity of binary form
the bridge is typically written in the dominant, which increases the musical tension of the work before returning to the tonic in the final chorus
what is the term for the form of a song that contains several unique sections without repetition
through composed
mozarts” ah, vous dirais-je maman” takes the well known tune of “Twinkle twinkle little star” and repeats it again and again in many different forms, so its form is that of
theme and variations
what are the three sections of a work written in sonata form
exposition, development, and recapitulation
what is the purpose of the exposition in sonata form
the exposition serves to introduce the main theme or themes of the piece in the tonic key
in what key does the development of a piece in sonata form typically end
the dominant
what is the purpose of the recapitulation in sonata form
the recapitulation restates the main theme of the piece, often with variation
what is a coda
a coda is a final section in a piece that gives it a formal sense of closure by emphasizing dominant harmonies and their resolution to the tonic one last time
what chords or keys are typically accentuated in the coda
the coda typically focuses on the subdominant or dominant harmonies and then resolves to the tonic key
during what two musical eras was the sonata form most popular
classical and romantic
a piece that begins with an opening themes, modulates through a number of different keys and ends with a restatement of the opening theme is in what form
sonata form
along with binary form, what other form has had a significant influence upon most american popular music
12 bar blues
what is the alphabetic structure of 12 bar blues
aab:the first four bars (A) are repeated (A) and then resolved by a contrasting four-bar section (B)
in typical 12 bar blues, how many measures long is each phrase
each of the three phrases in the 12 bar blues progression is four measures or bars long
what is the typical chord progression of the third phrase of 12 bar blues
1,4,5,1
what combination of instruments is usually responsible for creating the timbre we associate with country music
fiddle, acoustic guitar, steel guitar, and banjo
What is a diatonic scale?
A diatonic
What is the sequence of whole and half steps of a major scale?
Major scales all follow the following sequence: whole, whole, half, whole whole, whole, half. Thus the half steps fall between the third and fourth notes of the scale and between the seventh and eighth.
What is the name of the first note in a scale?
The first note in a scale is called the tonic.
The dominant represents what scale degree?
The dominant is the fifth note in a major or minor scale.
What is the significance of the seventh note in a scale?
The seventh note is known as the leading tone because it creates a musical tension that seems to “lead” the ear to the tonic note.
In a D major scale, what are the letter names of the dominant and leading tones?
In a D major scale, A is the dominant and C# is the leading tone.
what word is used two notes that are notated differently according to the key in which they occur but that are, in fact, the same note
enharmonic
how and why is the circle of fifths constructed
the circles of fifths is constructed by starting with C and ascending by fifths until C is again reached. they key C has no sharps or flats in it. Each subsequent key in the circle of fifths has one more sharp than the previous key
how does the ascending melodic minor scale differ from the descending melodic minor scale
in the ascending scale the sixth and seventh notes are raised a half step in comparison to the natural minor scale. in the descending scale, the sicth and seventh notes re not raised, making it identical to the natual minor scale
in order form highest to lowest pitch, what are the three ranges of the female voice
soprano, mezzo soprano, and alto
in order form lowest to highest pitch, what are the three ranges of the male voice
bass, baritone, and tenor
what is the another name for the alto voice range
contralto
although the alto and tenor voice ranges overlap greatly in pitch, how do they differ
though overlapping in pitch range alto and tenor parts are distinct from each other because the physiology of the female and male voices give each one a unique timbre
according to the system developed in the nineteenth century, what instrumental characteristic determines its classification
instruments are classified according to what sort of vibrating medium creates their sound
what are the five instrumental classification groups
idiophones, membranophones, aerophones, chordophones, and electrophones
how is sound created on a chordophone
chordophones create vibration by the movement of strings which can be either bowed, plucked, or struck
what modern chordophones are played with a bow
violin, viola, cello, and bass
in addition to the strings, what components of a bowed chordophone allow the instrument to vibrate
in addition to the strings, the bridge and the sound post are essential in causing vibration by transmitting the vibrations from the strings into the body of the instrument, where they can be amplified and projected
What is the difference between conjunct and disjunct melodies?
Conjunct melodies include notes that are mostly next to or close to each other on the staff, where as disjunct melodies feature greater distances between consecutive notes.
What is the role of harmony in music?
Harmony, the addition of chords or other notes to the main melody, is intended to complement the primary melody.
What is a chord?
A chord has three or more notes that are played at the same time.
What is a triad?
A triad is a chord which includes a root note and the notes that are a third and a fifth above the root.
What is the name of a triad that features the first note of a scale as its root?
A tonic chord
What shorthand method is used to indicate chord progression in a piece of music?
Roman numerals are used to number chords within a scale; chord progressions are described using these Roman numerals.
What is one of the most common chord progressions in American folk and rock music?
I-IV-V-I
What is a cadence?
A cadence is a chord progression that conveys a feeling of resolution, used at the end of musical phrases or pieces.
What is the name for a cadence that ends on a dominant chord?
A half cadence
What is a plagal cadence?
In a plagal cadence, a subdominant chord is played directly before the final tonic chord. The “Amen” at the end of church hymns is an example of a plagal cadence.
A cadence that conveys the greatest sense of closure ends on what chord?
the tonic (I)
What types of popular music first began to use “passing chords”?
Early blues, jazz, and tin Pan alley composers expanded on the classic I-IV-V-I progression by adding passing chords.
In a bb major scale, what is the subdominant note?
Eb
What defines music with a monophonic texture?
Monophonic music features a single line of melody, unaccompanied by any additional melodies or harmonies.
the song america contains no internal repetition, so its form is
through composed
name three chordophones on which strings are plucked rather than bowed
although there are others, the basic guide mentions the guitar, lute, harp, and zither
what three factors affect the way a string sounds
the sound of a string is affected by its material, thickness and length
what is the relationship between the thickness of a string and its pitch range
the thicker the string, the lower the pitch range will be
how does length affect the pitch range of a string
longer strings will have a lower pitch range than shorter strings
about how long is a full size violin
35.5
in order from highest to lowest, what notes are associated with each of the four strings of violin
E5, A4, D4, G3
what are f holes
the curved holes are on the tops of bowed chordophone instruments that allow the vibrations to travel outward beyond the instruments hollow boddy
what is the range of lengths for typical violas
violas can range in length from 38 to 40 cm
in order from highest to lowest, what are the notes of the strings on a viola
a4, d4, g3, c3
where is the viola held when it is played
like the violin, held under the chin of the left shoulder
what is the difference between a cello and a violoncello
there is no difference, its another name for cello
how long is the body of a cello
74 ti 76 cm
how does one hold a cello when playing it
the body of a cello is held between the legs, supported by an endpin which rests on the ground
in order from highest to lowest, what are the strings of a cello
a3,
what is the average range of a vibraphone
the pitches of vibraphone bars range form f2 to a6
what is another name for the tubular bells
the tubular bells are also known as orchestral bells or chimes
what is the only bar instrument that is struck vertically
tubular bells
what are some examples of non barred metallophones
the triangle, cymbals, gong, and anvil are examples of non barred metallophones
which instrument has a greater range: the xylophone or the marimba
the marimba has a greater range from a2 to c7. the xylophones range is from f3 to c7
what are some examples of unpitched percussion instruments
there are numerous examples but USAD lists the following: gongs, wood blocks, castanets, shakers, maracas, slap sticks, cowbells, and jingle bells
Why did USAD choose 1450 as the beginning of the musical Renaissance
1450 is the year the Guillaume Du fay finished his polyphonic Missa Se la face ay ale, a piece that broke away from the previous polyphonic traditions.
according to USAD, i what year did monody first appear?
1600
what is the italian translation for the word renaissance
rebirth
in what year did the roman empire fall
476AD
In what main city of what empire were many ancient greek and roman texts stored after the fall of the roman empire and prior to the renaissance
ancient sources were kept in libraries located in the byzantine empire in cities such as constantinople
when did the city of constantinople fall
1453
what is a renaissance man
a renaissance an is one who pursues many subjects and fields from art to mathematics. The renaissance an was not necessarily an actual person nit rather an ideal that many strove to emulate
which two nations were primarily involved in the hundred years war
england and france
during which years did the hundred years war take place
1337-1453
name three of the seven explorers mentioned by USAD whose discoveries helped encourage the economic growth and prosperity of Europe during the renaissance
any of the following are correct, vasco da gama of portugal, pedro cabral of portugal, francisoco pizzaro of spain, hernando de soto of spain, juan ponce de leon of spain, amerigo vespucci of italy, and chirstopher columbus of italy.
what kind of contour describes the melody of “The Star Spangle Banner?”
disjunct
Whit kind of contour describes the melody of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat?”
conjunct
How many flags denote sixteenth notes in rhythmic notation?
2
How does a half note differ from a quarter note in rhythmic notation?
The note head of the half note is not filled in.
In rhythmic notation, how does a whole note differ from a half note?
The whole note does not have a stem
How many eighth notes make up a whole note?
8
How many sixteenth notes make up a quarter note?
4
How many sixteenth notes make up a dotted half note?
12
What rhythmic change is denoted by a small dot next to the head of a note?
add half of the note’s original value to itself.
How many beats does a dotted whole note contain?
6
How many beats does a dotted quarter note contain?
1.5
subito
a change executed suddenly
poco a poco
a change executed gradualy
most drums fall under what instrumental classification
most drums are membranophones
what factors affect the sound of a drum
the material and size of the drum and its membrane affect the sound of the drum
what type of drum has pitches that can be adjusted using a foot pedal
a timpani
what type of drum has a 36 inch frame covered with two drumheads
an orchestral bass drum
what characteristic of the snare drum makes it different than all other drums
snare drums have metal snares or string attached to them that vibrate when the drum is hit
how do aerophones create sound
in aerophones, sound is created by the vibration of a column of air inside the instrument
name two instruments that are played by blowing air across the opening of a column
flute piccolo or recorder
what is a reed
a eed is a piece of can wood that is carved and inserted into the mouthpiece of some woodwind instruments. it vibrates as the instrument is played
name two single reed instruments
clarinet saxophone
name two double reed instruments
oboe and bassoon
what is the difference between the flute and the piccolo
the piccolo is smaller than the flute and has a higher range
what material is the clarinet made out of
african or brazilian blackwood
what is another name for the double bass
string bass or upright lower
how long is the body of a double bass
180-200 cn
in order from highest to lowest, what are the strings of a double bass
g2, d2, a1, e1
how many strings does an orchestral harp
47
what is the tonal range of a concert harp
c1 to g#7
why is the piano considered a chordophone
the piano is classified as a chordophone bc it creates sound by the vibration of strings which are struck by small hammers
what are the 3 classifications of percussion instruments
membranophones idiophones and metallophones
what is the primary purpose of percussion instruments in most ensembles
their function is usually to add to the rhythmic complexity of the piece or to keep the beat rather than to add to the melody or harmony
what is the difference between an idiophone and a membranophone
membranophones are percussion instrumentes that feature a taut membrane that is struck to create a sound. idiophones are instruments such as shakers that lack a membrane
what are at least three examples if pitched bar instruments
vibraphone, tubular bells, glockenspiel, xylophone, or marimba
what two woods can a bassoon be made form
maple or rosewood
what is the lowest sounding instrument in the orchestra
the contrabassoon, with a range from B 60 to E4
what creates sound in brass instruments
brass instrument produce sound via the vibration of the players lips against the mouthpiece
what is the smallest brass instrument
trumpet
in what way is the trombone unlike other brass instruments
unlike other brass instruments which uses valves to control pitch the trombone uses a long slide
what instruments make up the low brass section of an orchestra
trombone tuba and sometimes a euphonium and a baritone
what sort of aerophones are not played using human lung power
pipe organs
how many violin sections are there in a traditional orchestral setup
two
what instruments are included in a standard wind quintet
flute oboe clarinet bassoon and horn
What symbol denotes a second inversion triad?
a 6 and 4 stacked vertically after the chord symbol
What TWO scales require an F# in the key signature?
G major and E mnor
How many key signatures are possible in common practice tonality?
12
What TWO keys require a Bb in the key signature?
F major and D minor
What accidentals are required in the key signature of Bb?
A Bb and Eb
How many keys are possible?
24
Why are there only a limited number of possible keys?
Every key must preserve the sequence of half and whole steps required by the scale.
what kind of triad is built on ^7 of a major scale?
diminished
What symbols are used to describe chords?
Roman numerals
What TWO chord progressions consist of predominant dominant tonic?
Iv_V-I or ii-V-I
What harmonic role does the added seventh play in a dominant seventh chord?
It exerts an additional pull to the tonic.
Modal mixture
Altering pitches of the basic triad
nonfunctional harmony
using chords from common-practice tonality without resolving them
what two beats are generally weakest in duple mete?
2 and 4
what two bears are generally strongest in duple meter
1 and 3
what separates measures on the staff
bar lines
what beats of the measure must be aligned for two simultaneous meters to form a polymeter
downbeats
what name is irregular meter known as
asymmetrical meter
what name polyrhythm also know by
cross rhythm
what are the two most common polyrhythms
2 against 3 and 3 against 4
including root position, how many triad inversions are possible
3
what symbol denotes a first inversion triad
a 6 written after the chord symbol
arranging
giving instructions to what each individual performance should play based on an existing piece of music
which harmonic role corresponds to a seventh chord built from ^7
dominant
which note of a triad can be omitted without interfering with the harmony
the fifth
what tradition forms the basis of blues music
rural african american oral tradition
emotion most characteristic of the blues
sadness
blue notes
flattened, bent, or shaded notes on ^3 ^5 and ^7
how can a pianist play blue notes that lie between piano keys
using crushed notes by playing two adjacent notes at once
why is western notation unable to capture the nuances of the blues
much of blues is improvisational
at which part of the form does a line of blue lyrics generally end
midway through a four bar section
ring shout
a slavery era religious tradition involving improvisation, call and response, and movement
which two cultural contexts did the ring shout combine
african and american
