Music definitions Flashcards
What are enharmonics?
Music notes that sound the same but are written differently, e.g. C# and Db
What are tensions?
- Tensions are tertian extensions, extensions by an interval of a 3rd of the basic seventh chord
- Tensions add colour e.g. a stylistically acceptable amount of dissonance
What is tonal music?
Has one pitch as its primary focus; a tonal centre that serves as a reference point for all the other chords and melody notes in the piece
What is harmonic function?
Describes the relationship of a chord to its tonal centre. chords function by creating and resolving motion around the tone
What is relative pitch?
identifying an interval based on a reference tone
What musical term defines “very, very soft” in relation to dynamics?
Pianississimo (ppp)
What musical term defines “very soft” in relation to dynamics?
Pianissimo (pp)
What musical term defines “soft” in relation to dynamics?
Piano (p)
What musical term defines “moderately soft” in relation to dynamics?
Mezzo piano (mp)
What musical term defines “moderately loud” in relation to dynamics?
Mezzo forte (mf)
What musical term defines “loud” in relation to dynamics?
Forte
What musical term defines “very loud” in relation to dynamics?
Fortissimo (ff)
What musical term defines “very, very loud” in relation to dynamics?
Fortississimo (fff)
What musical term defines “gradually getting louder” in relation to dynamics?
Crescendo (cresc.)
What musical term defines “gradually getting softer” in relation to dynamics?
Diminuendo (dim.)
What musical term defines “suddenly loud with force” in relation to dynamics?
Sforzando (sfz)
What musical term defines “very sudden, very loud, with force” in relation to dynamics?
Sforzatissimo (sfzf)
What musical term defines “very very slow” in relation to tempo?
Larghissimo
What musical term defines “very slow” in relation to tempo?
Adagissimo
What musical term defines “very slow and solemn” in relation to tempo?
Grave
What musical term defines very “slow and broad” in relation to tempo?
Largo
What musical term defines “slow” in relation to tempo?
Lento
What musical term defines “slow and leisurely” in relation to tempo?
Adagio
What musical term defines “at walking pace” in relation to tempo?
Andante
What musical term defines “moderate tempo” in relation to tempo?
Moderato
What musical term defines “moderately fast” in relation to tempo?
Allegretto
What musical term defines “fast and lively” in relation to tempo?
Allegro
What musical term defines “lively and brisk” in relation to tempo?
Vivace
What musical term defines “very fast” in relation to tempo?
Presto
What musical term defines “very, very fast” in relation to tempo?
Prestissimo
