Music Flashcards
beat
The pulse of music.
tempo
the speed of the beat
harmony
The simultaneous sounding of musical pitches. When different notes sound together, they create a chord.
melody
A succession of pitches in time, a logical sequence that has a beginning, middle, and end.
motive
a very short melody that has both distinctive pitch and rhythm. Used as the building block for longer melodies.
meter
A regular succession or pattern of beats, most often in groups of two, three, or four.
rhythm
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.
syncopation
The use of a strong beat or accent when a weak beat is expected. This disturbs the normal pattern of a meter.
dynamics
Levels of volume and changes of volumeloud, soft, increasing (crescendo), decreasing (decrescendo)
timbre
(TAM ber) The distinctive tone quality that distinguishes one instrument or voice from another. It also is called tone color.
concerto
A composition for soloist(s) and orchestra or instrumental ensemble. “Concerto” literally means “contest.” It most often has three movements fast / slow / fast.
overture
- 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.
sonata
- 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).
symphony
An extended composition for orchestra or large instrumental ensemble, usually consisting of three or four movements.
suite
- 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.
aria
In opera or oratorio, a solo vocal piece with instrumental accompaniment. Usually a reflective text that does not move the plot forward.
art song
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.
chant
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.
Mass
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.
opera
A theatrical genre in which the entire text (libretto) is set to music.
oratorio
A work, often on a religious theme, for soloists, choir, and orchestra. While most oratorios tell stories, they are not meant to be staged.
recitative
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.
brass
French horn, trumpet, trombone, and tuba.
percussion
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.
strings
Violin, viola, cello, and bass. The guitar and harp also are string instruments.
woodwinds
Most commonly the flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and saxophone.
soprano
The female voice with the highest range.
alto
The female voice with the lowest range.
tenor
The male voice with the highest range.
bass
The male voice with the lowest range.
homophony
One melody of primary interest with background accompaniment.
monophony
A single, unaccompanied melodic line.
polyphony
Two or more independent melodic lines of equal interest sounding together.
