Music Terms - Intermediate Concepts Flashcards
Ostinato
A repeating musical pattern or motif that persists throughout a section or entire piece.
Legato
Smooth and connected playing or singing of notes, without breaks between them.
Staccato
Short and detached playing or singing of notes, with clear breaks between them.
Accent
Emphasis placed on a particular note or beat, often achieved through increased volume or stress.
Suspension
A dissonant note held over from a previous chord and then resolved to a consonant note.
Resolution
The movement of a dissonant note to a consonant one, creating a sense of stability.
Pedal point
A sustained or repeated note, usually in the bass, while harmonies change above it.
Trill
Rapid alternation between two adjacent notes, adding ornamentation and expression.
Tremolo
Rapid repetition of a single note or rapid alternation between two notes, creating a trembling effect.
Vibrato
Slight, rapid variation in pitch to enhance the tone of a note, often used by vocalists and string players.
Glissando
Sliding smoothly from one pitch to another, creating a continuous change in pitch.
Arpeggio
The notes of a chord played in succession rather than simultaneously, often moving up or down the scale.
Consonance
Harmonious combination of notes that sound stable and pleasing to the ear.
Dissonance
Unstable combination of notes that sound tense or harsh, creating a sense of tension or suspense.
Tonality
The organization of music around a central pitch or tonic, creating a sense of stability and hierarchy.
