Musical Terms

Question 1

Counterpoint; Countermelody

Answer 1

Two distinct melodies played on top of each other

Question 2

Modulation

Answer 2

The process of changing from one key to another

Question 3

Binary Form

Answer 3

A-B form; only two parts

Question 4

Tonic

Answer 4

The first note of a scale I (C) *Based on “C” major scale

Question 5

Dominant

Answer 5

The 5th note of a Scale V (G) *Based on “C” Major Scale

Question 6

Arpeggiation

Answer 6

Production of the tones of a chord in succession and not simultaneously; going up and down a broken chord

Question 7

Cross Rhythm

Answer 7

Use of two or more rhythms simultaneously; syncopation

Question 8

Hemiola

Answer 8

Duple over Triple; vice versa

Question 9

Sequence

Answer 9

A restatement of a motif in a higher or lower pitch. Typical to the Classical and Romantic Era

Question 10

9th Chord

Answer 10

A chord with an added 7th and 9th interval. Not the same as an “add9” chord. There is no 7th added in Cadd9

Question 11

Beethoven Era

Answer 11

The era Beethoven lived in. Late Classical to Early Romantic Period

Question 12

Sherzo

Answer 12

A vigorous, light, or playful composition

Question 13

Transposition

Answer 13

Changing from one key to another key. (C major to G major)

Question 14

Rondo Form

Answer 14

Consists of refrains that alternate with episodes. The refrain material is the same throughout the course of a movement—sometimes slightly embellished or abbreviated—and is always heard in the tonic key. A typical rondo will articulate an ABAC … A form; A stands for refrain, B and C indicate episodes containing unique thematic material. The ellipsis mark (…) indicates that the precise number of refrains and episodes is variable, though the 5-part (ABACA) rondo is certainly the most common.

Question 15

Tutti

Answer 15

All Instruments play at the same time

Question 16

Heterophonic

Answer 16

Heterophonic music consists of two or more parts that are elaborating upon the same melody. Often this type of music is improvised. An example of this type of music would be jazz.

Question 17

Monophonic

Answer 17

This is the simplest type of texture. In monophonic music, a single voice or part is played without harmonic accompaniment. As long as the attention is on a single line or voice, the music is monophonic. Can you think of any monophonic music that is played today? Not much music these days is monophonic, however some middle Eastern music has a monophonic texture.

Question 18

Polyphonic

Answer 18

Polyphonic music consists of two or more voices, but it is distinct from heterophony. In heterophonic texture, the part that all voices play is based upon the same melody (though the same notes may not be played). Polyphony is based on counterpoint. Counterpoint is a Latin term that in musical terms can be translated as “note against note”. This means that a counterpoint or polyphonic texture consists of two or more simultaneous melodies that are distinct from each other in notes and rhythm.

Question 19

Homophony

Answer 19

This is the type of music that most of us are accustomed to. In homophonic music, one voice takes the melodic lead, while the accompanying voices play the harmony and they take a subordinate role. The listeners interest is directed to a single line of music, and the harmony is there to support it.
These are the four different classical music textures. Remember, a piece of music does not have to be exclusively one of these textures. These textures can be combined and manipulated.

Question 20

Recapitulation

Answer 20

The final* part of Sonata-Allegro Form. Exposition, Development, and Recapitulation (and Coda)

*It depends if the Form has a coda

Question 21

Choral Terms: Soprano

Answer 21

Tthe highest of the four standard singing voices.

Question 22

Choral Terms: Mezzo Soprano

Answer 22

A female singer with a voice pitched between soprano and contralto.

Question 23

Choral Terms: Alto

Answer 23

A voice, instrument, or part below the highest range and above tenor, in particular.

Question 24

Choral Terms: Contralto

Answer 24

The lowest female singing voice.

Question 25

Choral Terms: Tenor

Answer 25

A singing voice between baritone and alto or countertenor, the highest of the ordinary adult male range.

Question 26

Choral Terms: Baritone

Answer 26

An adult male singing voice between tenor and bass.

Question 27

Choral Terms: Bass

Answer 27

The lowest adult male singing voice.

Question 28

Grace Notes

Answer 28

An extra note added as an embellishment and not essential to the harmony or melody.

Question 29

Ostinato

Answer 29

A continually repeated musical phrase or rhythm.

Question 30

Rhythmic Unison

Answer 30

Instruments playing in the exact same rhythm

Question 31

Melodic Unison

Answer 31

Instruments playing the same melodic line together

Question 32

Polytonality

Answer 32

The simultaneous use of two or more keys in a musical composition.

Question 33

Libretto

Answer 33

The text of an opera or other long vocal work.

Question 34

12 Bar blues

Answer 34

The twelve-bar blues or blues changes is one of the most prominent chord progressions in popular music. The blues progression has a distinctive form in lyrics, phrase, chord structure, and duration. In its basic form, it is predominantly based on the I, IV, and V chords of a key. Typically played
I, I, I, I
IV, IV, I, I
V, IV, I, I

Question 35

Phrase

Answer 35

A phrase is a series of notes that sound complete even when played apart from the main piece

Question 36

Call and Response

Answer 36

A succession of two distinct phrases usually played by different musicians, where the second phrase is heard as a direct commentary on or response to the first.

Question 37

Anacrusis

Answer 37

(Also known as a pickup) A note or sequence of notes which precedes the first downbeat in a bar in a musical phrase

Question 38

Syncopation

Answer 38

Deliberate upsetting of the meter or pulse of a composition by means of a temporary shifting of the accent to a weak beat or an off-beat. a play on rhythmic and metrical expectations such as giving a silence where a stressed note is expected or stressing a normally weak beat. Used extensively in the fourteenth century. A rhythm in which normally unaccented beats are stressed either through agogic or dynamic rhythm. The rhythmic result produced when a regularly accented beat is displaced onto an unaccented beat. the deliberate upsetting of the rhythm in a piece of music to make the accent fall on the weaker beat in the bar, which is not normally accented. syncopation has been used in the music of all periods, and is one of the foremost features of jazz

Question 39

Parlando

Answer 39

A term used in singing meaning speech-like; Accented; in a declaratory style; in a speaking style, as a recitative. The use of the speaking timbre in singing.

Question 40

Aerophone

Answer 40

A wind instrument.

Question 41

Chordophone

Answer 41

A stringed instrument.

Question 42

Membranophone

Answer 42

A membranophone is any musical instrument which produces sound primarily by way of a vibrating stretched membrane.

Question 43

Idiophone

Answer 43

An instrument the whole of which vibrates to produce a sound when struck, shaken, or scraped, such as a bell, gong, or rattle.

Question 44

Pentatonic

Answer 44

A five note scale.
Major Pentatonic - Consists of the 1st - 2nd - 3rd - 5th - 6th notes of a major scale.
Minor Pentatonic - Consists of the same 5 notes of a major pentatonic scale but its tonic (first note of the scale} is 3 semitones below the tonic of the major pentatonic scale. For example, the C major pentatonic (C - D - E - G - A} has the same notes as the A minor pentatonic (A - C - D - E - G} but arranged differently. The first note or tonic of the A minor pentatonic scale (=A) is 3 semitones (half steps) lower than the first note of the C major pentatonic scale (=C). It uses the 1st - minor 3rd - 4th - 5th - minor 7th notes of a scale.