Music Glossary - WACE Music Syllabus Flashcards
12 Bar Blues
Standard chord progression and musical form used in Jazz and Contemporary Music. In its simplest form (there are many variations) the progression uses the primary triads from the major key in the following pattern: I | I | I | I | IV | IV | I | I | V | IV | I | I.
Accent
An emphasis placed on a particular note or series of notes. Indicated by a symbol above or below the note or an abbreviation, such as sf.
Accidental
A symbol placed before a note to indicate an alteration of its pitch. A sharp (♯) raises a note one semitone, a double sharp () raises a note two semitones, a flat (♭) lowers a note one semitone, a double flat () lowers a note two semitones and a natural (♮) restores a note to its original pitch.
Accompaniment
A part in a musical work that usually provides harmonic support and rhythmic structure for the main melody or lead. It also describes the composed music, arrangement, or improvised performance that accompanies and supports the soloist or main melodic part. The accompaniment can be provided by a single instrument or part, or an entire ensemble.
Alberti Bass
Accompaniment pattern where a three-note chord is broken up and played in the order: lowest, highest, middle, highest. Named after Domenico Alberti who used this accompaniment style extensively.
Alto clef
The clef used by some instruments/parts (most often the viola). It indicates that ‘middle C’ is located on the third line of the staff.
Anacrusis
An incomplete bar at the beginning of a musical work or phrase. The remaining value of this incomplete bar is accounted for in the final bar. Also referred to as upbeat or pick-up.
Arch Form
Organisation of a musical work to create symmetry by repeating all, or most, sections in reverse order (e.g. ABCDCBA). Repetition need not be exact, but similar enough to be recognisable.
Arpeggio
A type of broken chord where the notes of the block chord are played in ascending or descending order. The process of converting a block chord to an arpeggio is referred to as arpeggiation.
Arrangement
An adaptation of a musical work that is different from the original version. It could be arranged for and performed by a different combination of voices or instruments, or arranged or performed in a different musical style.
Articulation
The way a note is sung or played. See accent, legato and staccato.
Atonal
Term used to describe a musical work that has no clear tonic or tonal centre.
Augmentation
Lengthening the durations of all the notes in a melody by the same factor (e.g. doubling).
Augmented
May refer to:
• interval: a major or perfect interval that is widened by one semitone (e.g. C-E♯)
• triad: a major triad with the fifth degree raised by one semitone (e.g. C-E-G♯).
Backing Riff
Short, repeated musical idea making up part or all of the accompaniment for a vocal or instrumental melody. Most often referred to in Contemporary Music and consisting of percussion, bass and rhythm (guitar or keyboard outlining the harmony/chords).
Balance
The consideration of the volume of voices and/or instruments in a musical work or ensemble to achieve an overall sound that is clear. For example, accompanying parts may be softened to ensure a lead part can be clearly heard.
Bar
The pitches, rhythms and rests occurring between two bar lines on a musical staff. The length of a bar is usually determined by the time signature/metre. Also referred to as measure.
Bar Line
Vertical lines that divide the musical staff into bars of certain length, usually in accordance with a time signature.
Bass Clef
The clef used by lower instruments/parts, also called the F clef as it indicates the location of the F note on the staff.
Beat
The unit of measurement of rhythmic pulse in music. Beats are organised and emphasised according to time signature and tempo.
Binary
Organisation of a musical work into two contrasting sections (AB), both of which are usually repeated. The sections can be the same length (simple binary: AB) or different lengths (extended binary: AB/AB). A small part of the A section may return (rounded binary: A repeated, B repeated but with part of the A section following the B repeated section.)
Blend
The adjustment of the timbre of different voices/instruments within an ensemble, in order to achieve a group sound in which no one part dominates the others.
Block Voicing
Accompaniment where harmony notes move in parallel with, and usually below, the melody notes to create two- to four-part harmony. Notes are played simultaneously (block), rather than one at a time (arpeggiated). Chord rhythm is either on the strong beats or matches the rhythm of the melody. Most often referred to in Jazz.
Blues Scale
A six-note scale, comprising a minor 3rd, perfect 4th, augmented 4th/diminished 5th, perfect 5th and minor 7th (e.g. C E♭ F G♭ G B♭). This scale is prevalent in Jazz and Contemporary Music.
Bridge
A section that links two or more sections of a musical work, also called a transition passage, in which new musical material is usually introduced. Bridge also refers to the B section in AABA form. In Contemporary Music, sometimes also referred to as middle 8.
Cadence
A progression of chords (usually two) that is used to end a phrase, section or musical work.
Call & Response
A melodic or rhythmic pattern consisting of alternating sections of calls – or questions – usually improvised by a leader, and responses that are sung or played by an individual or group. The response, or answer, is different from the improvised call and is usually not an echo.
Canon
A compositional technique where a melody is exactly imitated by one or more voices/instruments after a specified duration (e.g. after two beats, or a whole bar).
Chant
The repetitive rhythmic speaking or singing of words or sounds, using a limited pitch set.
Chord
A collection of two or more notes played simultaneously. Root position refers to the standard organisation of the tonic note with two notes stacked above (usually a third and a fifth above the tonic). A first inversion chord contains the same notes but starts on the third and a second inversion chord starts on the fifth. Chords can have added notes, such as a seventh, and can be identified and described using Roman numerals (e.g. V, I, Ib) or chord names (e.g. C major, Cmaj, C9, C/E).
Chord/Harmonic Progression
A sequence of chords that is the basis for a musical work.
Chorus
May refer to:
• musical form: section of a song that is usually repeated after each verse. The chorus usually remains unchanged, alternating with verses, which often feature different lyrics. In Jazz, a chorus is usually a single statement of the harmonic/melodic pattern that repeats throughout with some variation (see head).
• group of musicians: a large group of singers, such as an opera or orchestral chorus.
Chromatic
May refer to:
• notes: notes not belonging to the diatonic scale, or the prevailing scale in a musical work
• harmony: chords with one or more notes not belonging to the prevailing scale in a musical work
• scale type: see chromatic scale.
Chromatic Scale
A twelve-note scale with all notes a semitone apart.
Circle of Fifths
A representation of the twelve notes of the chromatic scale, arranged to show closely-related keys (those that share mostly common notes, e.g. C major and G major). In composition, the circle of fifths can be employed to select a suitable key for modulation or a series of modulations. Also referred to as the circle of fourths and the cycle of fourths/fifths.
Clef
Symbol usually placed at the beginning of each musical staff to indicate the location of a particular note. See alto clef, bass clef, percussion clef, tenor clef and treble clef.
Coda
A section that occurs in addition to the defined form to finish a musical work.
Comping
Refers to the accompaniment provided for the melody and improvisations, including various common harmonic and rhythmic patterns. This is usually provided by one or more keyboards, guitars, horns and percussion. Also refers to the (usually left hand) backing a solo pianist uses to accompany a melody. The word is a shortened version of accompanying. Most often referred to in Jazz but sometimes also in Contemporary Music.
Compositional Devices
Techniques that composers use to create, develop, manipulate and enhance their musical ideas. See Alberti bass, augmentation, backing riff, call and response, diminution, double time, half time, imitation, inversion, ostinato, pedal-note, retrograde, riff, sequence and tierce de Picardie.
Compound Time
Compound time is organised into dotted beats that subdivide evenly into three or six. eg. 6/8, 9/8, 12/8
Consonance
The effect of stability and agreement made by certain combinations of musical sounds. The concept is subjective, relative to the musical context and changes over time. The opposite of dissonance.
Contemporary Music
Contemporary Music encompasses popular music from the 1950s to the present day. It is predominantly commercial in nature and is constantly evolving through the influence of youth culture and the emergence of new artists and styles.
Context
The setting and circumstances (e.g. time period, purpose, place, culture and style) in which music has been composed and performed.
Copyright
The exclusive right or license to the ownership of material; the control over exploitation of any work by another person.
Cover (Version)
In Contemporary Music, one artist’s performance or recording of the work of another. A cover, or cover version, is typically varied in its interpretation, rather than aiming to replicate the original performance. Similar to an arrangement in Jazz or Western Art Music.
Culture
The values, attitudes, customs, practices, language and conventions commonly shared by a particular group that forms a part of their group identity and contributes towards a sense of shared understanding.
Cyclic/Thematic Transformation
Refers to the use of a single musical theme across more than one movement within a large-scale musical work. The theme may reappear either in its original state, or be varied.
Diatonic
Intervals, chords, harmonies and musical passages made up of the notes of the prevailing key. The opposite of chromatic.
Diminished
May refer to:
• interval: a minor interval that is narrowed by one semitone (e.g. A-C♭)
• triad: a minor chord with the fifth degree lowered by one semitone (e.g. C-E♭-G♭).
Diminution
Shortening the durations of all the notes in a melody by the same factor (e.g. halving).
Dissonance
The effect of tension or disturbance made by certain combinations of musical sounds. The concept is subjective, relative to the musical context and changes over time. The opposite of consonance.
Dotted Note
A dot after a note or rest extends the note or rest by half its original value. For example, a dotted minim has a value of three crotchet beats and a dotted crotchet has a value of one and a half crotchet beats.
Double-Time
A compositional device in Jazz (sometimes employed in other music contexts) when rhythm values are halved (i.e. twice as many notes are played compared to standard time) without altering the pace of the chord changes. The effect is most prominent in the percussion and occasionally the bass.
Drone
A note or chord sustained throughout all, or most, of a musical work. Also, the part of a musical instrument that is used to produce a drone (e.g. in bagpipes).
Duplet
In compound time, two notes played in the time of three of the same value.
Dynamics
The relative volume (loudness) of sound.
Elements of Music
The most important components or building blocks of music. See dynamics, expression, form/structure, harmony, key, melody, pitch, rhythm, tempo, texture, timbre and tonality.
Enharmonic
May refer to:
• notes: enharmonic equivalents are the alternative ways of naming the same pitch (e.g. C♯, D♭)
• intervals: enharmonic intervals are those that differ in name but not in pitch (in the context of equal-temperament). For example, a major third, A to C♯, and a diminished fourth, A to D♭.
Ensemble
May refer to:
• groups: a group of musicians or instruments (e.g. orchestra, choir, concert band, rock band or jazz band)
• musicianship: the degree to which a group of musicians plays with appropriate balance, blend and co-ordination of articulation and expression.
Expression
The aspects of musical performance associated with the personal response or interpretation of the performer. In musical works, expression is specified in varying degrees by the composer. See expressive devices.
