Romantic Period Concepts Flashcards
What is a pedal?
When a base note (low note) is either repeated or held continuously, while the parts and chords above it change.
What is an inverted pedal?
When a note is held in the same manner as a pedal but is not the lowest note. I.e. either a high note or a mid-range note.
What is a counter melody?
A melody played or sung at the same time as another main melody. It’s different from an accompaniment as it should be able to stand as its own melody.
What is a chromatic scale?
Every note played. All sharps and flats etc…
What is rubato?
When the tempo of the music speeds up and slows down for expressive effect. It can be described as pushing and pulling the tempo. The composer doesn’t dictate when and when it should speed up or slow down. It’s up to the performer.
What is the piccolo?
And instrument introduced in the romantic period. Woodwind instrument half the size of the flute and an octave higher become in the highest sounding instrument in the orchestra.
What is the tuba?
The lowest member of the brass family, introduced into the orchestra in the romantic period.
Describe the harp
The harp is a very old instrument but it was rarely used in the orchestra prior to the romantic period.
Describe the saxophone.
It was invented in the romantic period but never managed to become a standard member of the orchestra.
What is a snare drum.
An unpitched instrument. Used to produce a variety of effects including rhythmic playing, staccato effects and rolls.
Describe a bass drum.
Normally used for effect rather than for rhythmic playing. Unpitched
Describe cymbals.
Unpitched. Played in pairs as crash cymbals holding each in one hand or played as one cymbal on a stand using rolls.
Describe a wind band.
Wind bands developed out of the military band tradition which employed woodwind, brass and percussion interments, with extensions in each section.
