Part 1 Vocabulary

Question 1

Monophonic texture

Answer 1

Music consisting of a single line of melody or a single “voice” (no harmony or accompaniment)

Question 2

Polyphonic texture

Answer 2

Two or more independent melodic lines heard at the same time.

Question 3

Modes

Answer 3

Scale patterns distinguished by their own unique orders of half steps and whole steps.
Served as a source for melodies in the Middle Ages.

Question 4

Neumes

Answer 4

Earliest form of notation in Western art music, consisting of small symbols indicating direction.

Question 5

A Cappella

Answer 5

Vocal music without instrumental accompaniment.

Question 6

Plainchant

Answer 6

Music with monophonic texture, modal melodies, narrow melodic range, and free rhythm. Also known as “plainsong”

Question 7

Gregorian chant

Answer 7

Form of plainchant: sacred music of the Roman Catholic Church, named after Pope Gregory the Great.

Question 8

Syllabic text setting

Answer 8

One note for a single syllable of text.

Question 9

Neumatic text setting

Answer 9

Two to four notes per syllable of text.

Question 10

Melismatic text setting

Answer 10

Many notes per syllable of text.

Question 11

Responsorial singing

Answer 11

A method of performance where solo voice alternates with chorus.

Question 12

Mass

Answer 12

The most important service of Roman Catholic Church which includes prayers, readings from the Bible, etc.
Consists of texts that change (Proper) and texts that remain the same (Ordinary) that are set to music.

Question 13

Mass Proper

Answer 13

Changing prayers of the Mass including Gradual, Introit, Communion, Alleluia.

Question 14

Gradual

Answer 14

The fourth section of the Mass Proper, text based on the Psalms. Generally melismatic and performed in responsorial style.

Question 15

Organum

Answer 15

Polyphony based on plainchant, in which one or more new voices are added onto an existing Gregorian chant; from the 9th to 13th centuries.

Question 16

Cantus Firmus

Answer 16

Borrowed material from a Gregorian Chant that serves as the base for a new polyphonic work.

Question 17

Tenor

Answer 17

Refers to the voice that contains the cantus firmus in an organum.

Question 18

Organal style

Answer 18

A style of free organum where the notes from the cantus firmus are sung by the lower voice in long note values.

Question 19

Discant Style

Answer 19

A style of organum where there is more rhythmic movement in the cantus firmus.

Question 20

Rhythmic modes

Answer 20

Six basic rhythmic patterns used to provide rhythmic structure.

Question 21

Motet

Answer 21

A vocal composition with or without instrumental accompaniment where new texts are added to existing music.

Question 22

Polytextuality

Answer 22

Two or more texts heard at the same time.

Question 23

Chanson

Answer 23

A secular song with French text and improvised accompaniment that flourished in the 12th and 13th centuries.

Question 24

Trouvère

Answer 24

Aristocratic poet-musicians who composed and performed original love poems and songs, located in Northern France.

Question 25

Strophic form

Answer 25

A song structure where each verse uses the same music.

Question 26

Sackbut

Answer 26

A brass instrument with a slide; ancestor of the trombone (loud)

Question 27

Shawm

Answer 27

A reed instrument with a piercing tone; ancestor of the oboe (loud)

Question 28

Dulcimer

Answer 28

A stringed instrument with a wooden sound box, strings are stuck with hammers producing a delicate sound (soft)

Question 29

Lute

Answer 29

A plucked instrument from the Middle East with a rounded body and frets; often accompanied vocal music (soft)

Question 30

Psaltery

Answer 30

An ancient stringed instrument with a trapezoidal wooden sound box; plucked with fingers (soft)

Question 31

Vielle

Answer 31

A bowed stringed instrument with a figure-eight shaped body; ancestor of the violin (soft)

Question 32

Bas

Answer 32

Indicates a low level of volume, a Medieval designation for “indoor” instruments

Question 33

Haut

Answer 33

Indicates a high level of volume, a Medieval designation for “outdoor” instruments

Question 34

Estampie

Answer 34

One of the earliest Medieval dances, has a stately character, elaborate body movements, and is danced by couples.

Question 35

Heterophony

Answer 35

Two or more voices playing the same melody in slightly different ways (variations) at the same time.

Question 36

Mass Ordinary

Answer 36

Unchanging prayers of the Mass including Kyrie, Gloria, and Agnus Dei

Question 37

Ars nova style

Answer 37

Used to reference French music of the 14th century, involved greater complexity of many musical elements.