Music concepts

Question 1

Sonata Form (What are the three sections?)

Answer 1

A form used for the first movement of a sonata or symphony.

It consists of three sections:

Exposition – 2 contrasting subject groups in related keys
Development
Recapitulation – 2 contrasting subject groups return but in the same key as the opening

Question 2

Sonata

Answer 2

A work for solo piano, or solo instrument and piano, often in three or four movements.

Here is in example of a violin sonata, that is, violin and piano.

Question 3

Oratorio

Answer 3

An oratorio is a large scale work without acting or stage design. It is usually based on a story from the Bible set to music for solo singers, chorus and orchestra. Oratorios often include recitatives, arias and choruses.

Question 4

Music Concrete

Answer 4

20th century style of composition using pre-recorded live sounds, for example, a creaking door. These sounds are then edited by simple editing techniques such as cutting and re-assembling, playing backwards, slowing down and speeding up.

Question 5

Mass (What are the five main sections / words)

Answer 5

A large scale, sacred work sung in Latin for solo singers, chorus and orchestra. The five main sections are Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei.

Question 6

String Quartets (What 3 instruments?)

Answer 6

Two violins, a viola and a cello

Question 7

Recitative

Answer 7

A type of vocal writing where the music follows the rhythm of speech. A recitative is often followed by an aria.

Question 8

Jazz funk

Answer 8

A combination of jazz improvisation and the amplified instruments and character of rock.

Question 9

Soul Music

Answer 9

A style of Afro-American popular music including elements of blues and gospel and conveying strong emotions.

Question 10

Dominant 7th (what does it sound like?)

Answer 10

C E G Bb (sounds like first chord from petite overture)

Question 11

Diminished 7th (What does it sound like?)

Answer 11

Spooky C Eb F# A

Question 12

Added 6th (What does it sound like?)

Answer 12

C E G A Bohemium Rabsody sounds like first chord for “is this the real life”

Question 13

4 different endings

Answer 13

-Plagal cadence
-Interrupted cadence
-perfect cadence
-imperfect cadence

Question 14

Mode/modal

Answer 14

Usually this refers to any of the early scales e.g Dorian mode (white nots D to D on a keyboard.)

Question 15

relative major/minor

Answer 15

Relative Minor: The minor key with the same key signature as one major key.

Relative Major: The Major key with the same key signature as one minor key.

Question 16

Scales what 2 scales

Answer 16

Melodic minor scale
– for example,
C D Eb F G A B C
C Bb Ab G F Eb D C

Harmonic minor scale
For example
C D Eb F G Ab B C
Sounds middle eastern.

Question 17

Acciaccatura, Mordent

Answer 17

Acciaccatura:
an ornament which sounds like a crushed note played very quickly on the beat or just before it.

Mordent: An ornament consisting of the main note, the note above, the main note.

Question 18

Interval

Answer 18

The distance between 2 notes

Question 19

Obbligato

Answer 19

A prominent solo instrument part in a piece of vocal music.

Question 20

Three against two

Answer 20

The effect of three notes played against two.

Question 21

Augmentation

Answer 21

An increase in the length of notes.

Question 22

Diminuation

Answer 22

A decrease in the length of notes.

Question 23

Basso continuo

Answer 23

In the Baroque period, the basso continuo consists of a single bass line (for example, a cello) with a keyboard part (for example, a harpsichord) filling in the harmonies The basso continuo supports one or more melody lines.

This example features a solo flute and basso continuo (cello and harpsichord).

Question 24

Through composed

Answer 24

A vocal piece in which there is little or no repetition of the music.

Question 25

Concerto Grosso

Answer 25

A small group of soloists (concertino) contrasts with a larger group of instrumentalists (ripieno.)

The concerto grosso developed in the baroque period.

Question 26

Ritornello

Answer 26

Ritornello means a theme which returns frequently throughout a piece.

In a concerto grosso, the ritornello is the main, recurring theme played by the ripieno. The ritornello may return frequently throughout the movement.

Question 27

Passacaglia

Answer 27

Variations over a ground bass.

Question 28

Lied

Answer 28

A German song from the romantic period for voice and piano in which both parts are important.

Question 29

Da capo Aria

Answer 29

An Aria in ternary form used in opera and oratorio. The 3rd section was not written out and was often ornamented.

Question 30

Harmonics

Answer 30

A high eerie sound produced on a string instrument by lightly touching the string at certain points.
Harmonics can be played on any instrument with strings for example
violin, guitar and harp.

Question 31

Tremolando

Answer 31

Literally “trembling.” Rapid repetition of a note (string instrument) or rapid alteration of two notes (any instrument.)

Question 32

Coloratura

Answer 32

High, florid singing involving elaborate ornamentation of a melody.

Question 33

Ripieno, Concertino

Answer 33

Ripieno: The main group of ensemble instruments in a concerto grosso.

Concertino: The small group of solo instrumentalists in a concerto grosso.

Question 34

Sting Quartet

Answer 34

Two violins, a viola and a cello

Question 35

Sonata

Answer 35

A work for solo piano, or solo instrument and piano, often in three movements.

Question 36

Exposition

Answer 36

The first section of a movement in sonata form.