Score Terms

Question 1

Diminution

Answer 1

Re-statement of a melody in shorter note values, often twice as fast as the original.

Question 2

Cadence

Answer 2

Musical punctuation or ending

Question 3

Canon (round)

Answer 3

Type of polyphonic (lots of people singing) composition in which one musical line strictly imitates another at a fixed distance throughout.

Question 4

Consonance

Answer 4

Concordat or harmonies combination of tones that provide a sense of relaxation and stability in music.

Question 5

Dissonance

Answer 5

Combination of tones that sounds discordant and unstable, in need of resolution.

Question 6

Imitation

Answer 6

Compositional technique in which a melodic idea is presented in one voice (or part) and then restated in another while the first voice continues with new material.

Question 7

Augmentation

Answer 7

Re-statement of a melody in longer note values, often twice as slow as original.

Question 8

Inversion

Answer 8

Mirror image of a melody or pattern in fugues and 12 tone compositions

Question 9

Ornamentation

Answer 9

Embellishment

Question 10

Sequence

Answer 10

Restatement of an idea or motive at a different pitch level (can be melodic or rhythmic)

Question 11

Syncopation

Answer 11

Deliberate upsetting of the meter or pulse through a temporary shifting of the accent to a weak beat or offbeat

Question 12

Fragmentation

Answer 12

Parts of a melody appearing throughout a piece of music

Question 13

Chromaticism

Answer 13

Parts of a melody in chromatic steps (every note)

Question 14

Leitmotif

Answer 14

A musical idea which represents a character, object or emotion

Question 15

Ostinato

Answer 15

An ongoing musical pattern

Question 16

Pedal note

Answer 16

Main note sustained throughout

Question 17

Passing note

Answer 17

Non-chordal notes on their way between chordal notes

Question 18

Auxiliary note

Answer 18

A non-chordal note above or below two chordal notes of the same pitch (e.g. c d c)