Music Flashcards
Melody
succession of single tones or pitches perceived by the mind as a unity.
Range
Distance between the lowest and highest tones of a melody, instrument, or a voice.
Interval
Distance and relationship between two pitches.
Conjunct
Smooth, connected melody that moves principally by small intervals.
Disjunct
Disjointed or disconnected melody with many leaps.
Phrase
Musical unit; often a component of melody.
Cadence
Resting place in a musical phrase; music punctuation.
Countermelody
An accompanying melody sounded against the principle melody.
Timbre or Tone Color
The quality of sound that distinguishes one voice or instrument from another.
Meter
Organization of rhythm in time; the grouping of beats into larger, regular patterns, notated as measures.
Compound meter
Meter in which each beat is subdivided into three rather than two.
Simple meter
Grouping of rhythms in whch the beat is subdivided into two, as in duple, triple, and quadruple meters.
Syncopation
Deliberate upsetting of the meter or pulse through a temporary shifting of the accent to a weak beat or an off beat.
Polyrhythm
The simultaneous use of several rhythmic patterns or meters, common in twentieth century music and in certain African music.
Harmony
The simultaneous combination of notes and the ensuing relationships of intervals and chords.
Chord
Simultaneous combination of three or more tones that constitute a single block of harmony.
Triad
Common chord type, consisting of three pitches built on alternate tones of the scale (e.g. steps 1-3-5 or do-mi-sol).
Major scale
Scale consisting of seven different tones that comprise of a specific pattern of whole and half steps. It differs from a minor scale primarily in that its third degree is raised a half of step (sharps).
Minor scale
Scale consisting of seven different tones that comprise a specific pattern of whole and hald steps. It differs from the major scale in that its third degree is lowered a half of step (flats)
Tonic
The first note of the scale or key. Also a keynote.
Dissonance
Combination of tones that sounds discordant and unstable, in need of resolution.
Consonance
Concordant or harmonious combination of tones that provides a sense of relaxation and stability in music.
Drone
Sustained sounding of one or several tones for harmonic support, a common feature os some folk musics.
Half step
Smallest interval used in the Western system; the octave divides into twelve such intervals; on the piano, the distance between any two adjacent keys, whether black or white. Also semitone.
Whole step
Interval consisting of two half steps or semitones.
Chromatic scale
Consists of an ascending or descending sequence of semitones.
Diatonic scale
Melody or harmony built from the seven tones of a major or minor scale. A diatonic scale encompasses patterns of seven whole tones and semitones.
Texture
The interweaving of melodic (horizontal) and harmonic (vertical) elements in the musical fabric.
Monophony
Single line texture or melody without accompaniment.
Heterophony
Texture in which two or more voices (or parts) elaborate the same melody simultaneously, often the result of improvisation.
Polyphony
Two or more melodic lines combined into a multivoiced texture, as distinct from monophony.
Homophony
Texture with principal melody and accompanying harmony, as distinct from polyphony.
Canon
Type of polyphonic compositon in which one musical line strictly imitates another at a fixed distance throughout. (a round)
Strophic form
Song structure in which the same music is repeated in with every stanza (strophe) of the poem.
Binary form
Two part (A-B) form with each section normally repeated. Also two-part form.
Ternary form
Three part (A-B-A) form bases=d on statement (A), contrasts or departure (B), and repetition (A). Also three part form.
Theme
Melodic idea used as a basic building block in the construction of a composition. Also theme.
Call and response
Performance style with a singing leader who is imitated by a chorus of followers. Also responsial singing.
Ostinato
A short melodic, rhythmic, or harmonic pattern that is repeated throughout a work or a section of one.