Terminology Flashcards
What is a monophonic texture?
A single melody line - literally meaning “one sound”
What is a heterophonic (contrapuntal) texture?
Same parts played simultaneously, but one is ornamented and the other is not
What is a homophonic texture?
Part and accompanying chords
What is a pedal?
A single note held on or repeated in the bass clef
What is a drone?
A held or repeated chord throughout a piece of music
What is ground bass?
A baroque technique where the bass part is repeated throughout the piece
What is an ostinato?
A motif or phrase that repeats constantly, usually at the same pitch
What is imitation?
A melody in one part is repeated a few notes later in a different part
What is a sub-bass?
Low frequency bass (under 90Hz)
Why is sub-bass often used in dance music?
Because it is more felt than heard
What would soloists in “All Blues” need to know before recording the piece? (as it was improvised)
When to improvise
Chord sequence
Basic structure of the piece
What is a common feature of the development section in a sonata form movement?
Modulates to different key or
Develops 1st and 2nd subject
What is a tremolo?
Rapid reiteration of a note
