Prelim Concepts Flashcards
ritornello
returning passage. In a concerto grosso it is the main theme played by the orchestra
concerto grosso
a small group of solo instruments (concertino) accompanied by a larger orchestra (ripieno). also has a basso continuo. common in baroque
ripieno
the main, larger group of instruments in a Concerto Grosso
Glissando
Rapid sliding through notes
concertino
small group of instruments in a concerto grosso
state the features of classical music
Large orchestra, more percussion including cymbals, no harpsichord
modal
music based on a mode (key) - no black keys
how does a diminished 7th chord sound?
sounds scary/dramatic
tremolando
rapid up-and-down movement of a bow on a stringed instrument. Wavering effect on one note
through-composed
A vocal/choral composition in which there is little or no repetition in the musical structure i.e. not structured as verse/chorus e.g. Bohemian Rhapspdy
relative minor
change from major to minor key with the same key signature. the relative minor is 3 semitones lower - e.g. C major to A minor
Relative major
Change from a minor key to the relative major key with the same key signature. The relative major is 3 semitones higher e.g. D minor to F major
Chromatic
Scale built entirely on semitones (creepy crawlies)
Whole tone scale
Scale built entirely on tones (flashback)
Imperfect cadence
Unfinished feel
Tierce de picardie
The final chord in a minor piece is changed to major
Rondo
A form where the first section comes back after each contrasting section ABACADAEA
Ground bass
A repeated theme in the bass
time changes
change in time signature
passacaglia
variations over a ground bass
impressionist
imitates impressionist painting in which musical ideas blur to create a vague outline
diminution
A passage of music where the length of the notes used is halved, for example, where a crotchet was used originally it would be replaced by a quaver. the piece sounds faster although the overall pulse remains the same
