Music

Question 1

beat

Answer 1

The pulse of music.

Question 2

tempo

Answer 2

the speed of the beat

Question 3

harmony

Answer 3

The simultaneous sounding of musical pitches. When different notes sound together, they create a chord.

Question 4

melody

Answer 4

A succession of pitches in time, a logical sequence that has a beginning, middle, and end.

Question 5

motive

Answer 5

a very short melody that has both distinctive pitch and rhythm. Used as the building block for longer melodies.

Question 6

meter

Answer 6

A regular succession or pattern of beats, most often in groups of two, three, or four.

Question 7

rhythm

Answer 7

The specific, organized movement of music in time. While meters are generic and are used in many compositions (e.g. waltzes are in triple meter), the rhythm is the specific pattern of pitches in time that is unique to each piece.

Question 8

syncopation

Answer 8

The use of a strong beat or accent when a weak beat is expected. This disturbs the normal pattern of a meter.

Question 9

dynamics

Answer 9

Levels of volume and changes of volumeloud, soft, increasing (crescendo), decreasing (decrescendo)

Question 10

timbre

Answer 10

(TAM ber) The distinctive tone quality that distinguishes one instrument or voice from another. It also is called tone color.

Question 11

concerto

Answer 11

A composition for soloist(s) and orchestra or instrumental ensemble. “Concerto” literally means “contest.” It most often has three movements fast / slow / fast.

Question 12

overture

Answer 12

1. An instrumental composition used as an introduction to a larger work, e.g., a ballet or an opera. 2. A concert overture is a single-movement instrumental composition intended as a stand-alone piece.

Question 13

sonata

Answer 13

1. An instrumental piece for one or two players, usually in three or four movements. 2. Sonata form is a musical structure often used as the first movement of a sonata, symphony, or concerto. There are three parts to a form exposition, development, and recapitulation. There also can be an introduction and a coda (ending section).

Question 14

symphony

Answer 14

An extended composition for orchestra or large instrumental ensemble, usually consisting of three or four movements.

Question 15

suite

Answer 15

1. A composition in a series of short movements, usually dances. 2. A composition created using musical themes from a longer work, such as an opera, ballet, or stage work.

Question 16

aria

Answer 16

In opera or oratorio, a solo vocal piece with instrumental accompaniment. Usually a reflective text that does not move the plot forward.

Question 17

art song

Answer 17

A vocal composition for solo voice(s), usually accompanied by piano. The text often is a setting of a poem. Art songs usually are performed in recital situations.

Question 18

chant

Answer 18

The monophonic music used in the liturgy of the Roman Catholic church. It is sung in unison, usually unaccompanied. Chant also is known as plainchant, plainsong, and Gregorian chant.

Question 19

Mass

Answer 19

The liturgy of the Roman Catholic Eucharist. In music, a mass most often is a setting of the texts for the Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei. The term mass used for a musical composition is not capitalized.

Question 20

opera

Answer 20

A theatrical genre in which the entire text (libretto) is set to music.

Question 21

oratorio

Answer 21

A work, often on a religious theme, for soloists, choir, and orchestra. While most oratorios tell stories, they are not meant to be staged.

Question 22

recitative

Answer 22

A vocal line that imitates the rhythms and pitches of speech. A sung conversation or monologue that moves the story forward. A recitative often serves as an introduction to an aria.

Question 23

brass

Answer 23

French horn, trumpet, trombone, and tuba.

Question 24

percussion

Answer 24

Any instrument that is sounded by striking. Pitched percussion includes, e.g., tympani and mallet instruments. Unpitched percussion includes, e.g., cymbals, triangle, snare drum, and bass drum. The piano also is considered a percussion instrument.

Question 25

strings

Answer 25

Violin, viola, cello, and bass. The guitar and harp also are string instruments.

Question 26

woodwinds

Answer 26

Most commonly the flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and saxophone.

Question 27

soprano

Answer 27

The female voice with the highest range.

Question 28

alto

Answer 28

The female voice with the lowest range.

Question 29

tenor

Answer 29

The male voice with the highest range.

Question 30

bass

Answer 30

The male voice with the lowest range.

Question 31

homophony

Answer 31

One melody of primary interest with background accompaniment.

Question 32

monophony

Answer 32

A single, unaccompanied melodic line.

Question 33

polyphony

Answer 33

Two or more independent melodic lines of equal interest sounding together.