Musical elements Flashcards
What word describes a musically satisfying sequence of notes combining both pitch and rhythm - the principal part in a harmonic composition - “horizontal” aspect of music
Melody
Describe the term - Melody
A musically satisfying sequence of notes combining pitch and rhythm - the principal part in a harmonic composition - “horizontal”aspect of music
Describe - Harmony
A pleasing combination of chords or pitches - the “vertical” aspect of music - usually has cadences
What word describes - A pleasing combination of chords or pitches - the “vertical” aspect of music
Harmony
Describe the term - Tonality
How the character of a piece of music is related to its key centre
What term describes - How the character of a piece of music is related to its key centre
Tonality
Describe the term - Structure
How different sections of music are combined to create a piece or song - different structures were and still are used to write different styles of music eg binary used during Baroque or Sonata used during Classical period
What is the term used to describe- How different sections of music are combined to create a piece or song - eg Sonata used during Classical period
Structure
Describe the term- Dynamics
The variation of volume within a piece eg - pp (meaning very quiet)
What term is used to describe - The variation of volume within a piece eg - pp (meaning very quiet)
Dynamics
What does the term - Sonority mean
The quality of having a deep and pleasant sound
What term describes - The quality of having a deep and pleasant sound
Sonority
Describe the term - Texture
How layers of sound within a piece of music interact e.g. monophonic, homophonic, etc.
What term describes - How layers of sound within a piece of music interact e.g. monophonic, homophonic, etc.
Texture
Describe the term - Tempo
The underlying beat of the music giving the speed of the piece
What term describes - The underlying beat of the music giving the speed of the piece
Tempo
Describe the term - Rhythm
The organisation of particular notes by their length/duration
What term describes - The organisation of particular notes by their length/duration
Rhythm
Describe the term - Metre
The organisation of rhythms into certain patterns
What terms describes - The organisation of rhythms into certain patterns
Metre
Describe the term - Augmentation
Where a melody is presented in longer note values than were previously used - the opposite of diminution
What term describes - Where a melody is presented in longer note values than were previously used
Augmentation
Describe the term - Diminution
The shortening of the note values in a melodic piece - the opposite of augmentation
What term describes - The shortening of the note values in a melodic piece
Diminution
Describe the term - A Capella
Vocal music or singing without music instrumental accompaniment
What term describes - Vocal music or singing without music instrumental accompaniment
A Capella
Describe the term - Rubato
The temporary slight speeding up or slowing down of the tempo of a piece at the discretion of the soloist or conductor - usually without altering the overall pace
What term describes - The temporary slight speeding up or slowing down of the tempo of a piece at the discretion of the soloist or conductor - usually without altering the overall pace
Rubato
Describe the term - Imitative
The repetition of a melody in a slightly different form but retaining the original character or appearance
What term describes - The repetition of a melody in a slightly different form but retaining the original character or appearance
Imitative
Describe the term - Contrapuntal
Two or more relatively independent melodies played together
What term describes - Two or more relatively independent melodies played together
Contrapuntal
Describe the term - Hemiola
Where two groups of 3 beats are replaced by three groups of 2 beats - gives impression of shift between triple and duple metre
What term describes - Where two groups of 3 beats are replaced by three groups of 2 beats - gives impression of shift between triple and duple metre
Hemiola
Describe an orchestra
A group of instrumentalists combining strings, woodwind, brass and percussion - often playing classical music
What word describes - A group of instrumentalists combining strings, woodwind, brass and percussion - often playing classical music
Orchestra
Describe a pedal
A foot-operated lever used to play or modify the sound of the instrument being played
What word describes - A foot-operated lever used to play or modify the sound of the instrument being played
Pedal
What is syncopation?
Where notes are played against the beat - takes you by surprise - often uses ties - used in Jazz / Swing pieces
What is the term used to describe notes played against the beat?
Syncopation
What is a riff?
A collection of notes which are repeated e.g. beginning of Thunderstruck
What is the beginning of Thunderstruck an example of?
A riff
