Music definitions

Question 1

What are enharmonics?

Answer 1

Music notes that sound the same but are written differently, e.g. C# and Db

Question 2

What are tensions?

Answer 2

• 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

Question 3

What is tonal music?

Answer 3

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

Question 4

What is harmonic function?

Answer 4

Describes the relationship of a chord to its tonal centre. chords function by creating and resolving motion around the tone

Question 5

What is relative pitch?

Answer 5

identifying an interval based on a reference tone

Question 6

What musical term defines “very, very soft” in relation to dynamics?

Answer 6

Pianississimo (ppp)

Question 7

What musical term defines “very soft” in relation to dynamics?

Answer 7

Pianissimo (pp)

Question 8

What musical term defines “soft” in relation to dynamics?

Answer 8

Piano (p)

Question 9

What musical term defines “moderately soft” in relation to dynamics?

Answer 9

Mezzo piano (mp)

Question 10

What musical term defines “moderately loud” in relation to dynamics?

Answer 10

Mezzo forte (mf)

Question 11

What musical term defines “loud” in relation to dynamics?

Answer 11

Forte

Question 12

What musical term defines “very loud” in relation to dynamics?

Answer 12

Fortissimo (ff)

Question 13

What musical term defines “very, very loud” in relation to dynamics?

Answer 13

Fortississimo (fff)

Question 14

What musical term defines “gradually getting louder” in relation to dynamics?

Answer 14

Crescendo (cresc.)

Question 15

What musical term defines “gradually getting softer” in relation to dynamics?

Answer 15

Diminuendo (dim.)

Question 16

What musical term defines “suddenly loud with force” in relation to dynamics?

Answer 16

Sforzando (sfz)

Question 17

What musical term defines “very sudden, very loud, with force” in relation to dynamics?

Answer 17

Sforzatissimo (sfzf)

Question 18

What musical term defines “very very slow” in relation to tempo?

Answer 18

Larghissimo

Question 19

What musical term defines “very slow” in relation to tempo?

Answer 19

Adagissimo

Question 20

What musical term defines “very slow and solemn” in relation to tempo?

Answer 20

Grave

Question 21

What musical term defines very “slow and broad” in relation to tempo?

Answer 21

Largo

Question 22

What musical term defines “slow” in relation to tempo?

Answer 22

Lento

Question 23

What musical term defines “slow and leisurely” in relation to tempo?

Answer 23

Adagio

Question 24

What musical term defines “at walking pace” in relation to tempo?

Answer 24

Andante

Question 25

What musical term defines "moderate tempo" in relation to tempo?

Answer 25

Moderato

Question 26

What musical term defines "moderately fast" in relation to tempo?

Answer 26

Allegretto

Question 27

What musical term defines "fast and lively" in relation to tempo?

Answer 27

Allegro

Question 28

What musical term defines "lively and brisk" in relation to tempo?

Answer 28

Vivace

Question 29

What musical term defines "very fast" in relation to tempo?

Answer 29

Presto

Question 30

What musical term defines "very, very fast" in relation to tempo?

Answer 30

Prestissimo