Music Concepts Dictionary Flashcards
Binary
A form in which the music is made up of two different sections labeled a and b. Each section may be repeated
Canon
Strict imitation. Once one part start to play or sing a melody, another part enters shortly afterwards with exactly the same melody. Frere jaques is often sung this way
Concerto
A work for solo instrument and orchestra, e.g. Of the concerto is written for flute and orchestra. It is normally in three movements
Contrapuntal
Texture in which each of two or more parts has independent melodies interest; similar in memory to polyphonic.
Ground bass
A theme in the bass which is repeated many times while upper parts are varied.
Harpsichord
A keyboard instrument which looks like a small grand piano. The keys laid out in the same way, as on a piano but are opposite in colour - the majority of the keys are black and the raised ones are white.
Homophonic
Texture where you hear melody with accompanied or where all the parts play a similar rhythm at the same time
Imitation
Where the melody is immediately copied in another port. It need not be an exact copy.
Grace note
A “crushed” note, played very quietly
Inverted pedal
A note which is held on or repeated continuously at a high pitch. Opposite in pitch to pedal
Major
The music sounds in a major key ( tonality) - often described as having a cherry, happy feel to it
Minor
The music sounds in a minor key (tonality), often described as having a sadder feeling than a major
Organ
A keyboard instrument usually found in churches. It usually has more than one keyboard, plus pedal that are played with the feet
Ornament
An ornament decorates a melody by adding extra notes
Pedal
Short for pedal point. A note of which is repeated continuously in bass beneath changing harmonies
