Terms Flashcards
Clusters
group of adjacent notes played simultaneously. Dissonant sound
Hammered
played with force
8ve
played an octave higher/lower if above/below stave
Telescoping
fragments of melody combined
Counterpoint
combing two+ melodies simultaneously
Polymetry
two different metres simultaneously
Splicing
reducing interval distance
Wedging
increasing interval distance
Diminution
shortening note values
Augmentation
lengthen note values
Retrograde
melodic line rewrote and performed in reverse
Inversion
turning melody upside down
Canon
melody imitated by another part at a a fixed distance and interval. Parts overlap to create polyphony
Detaché
seperate bow movement for each note
Open string
when string is not played with a finger across it on finger board
Double stopping
two notes played simultaneously on string instrument
Harmonics
overtones creating light whistling sound. Played on string by placing finger lightly on string. Indicated by circle or diamond note
Flautendo
playing over fingerboard instead of close to the bridge. Creates flute-like sound
Senza vibrato
without using vibrato
Vibrato
shaking finger that holds string to create rapid fluctuations in pitch
Basso Continuo
single-line part for keyboard and a bass instrument(violone/cello/bassoon) with figured bass written underneath
Melisma
multiple notes for a single syllable usually to draw attention to that word
Cantata
multi-movement work composed for vocalists with orchestral accompaniment
Chorale
german hymn tune sung by members of congregation at Lutheran services therefore have generally simple melodies
Ritornello
form with a recurring theme between new sections of material called episodes. The theme can be brought back in different keys or in fragments
Rondo
form with a recurring theme that is always played in the exact same way each time it returns. Between the themes there is new material called fragments
Sonata
structure of three main sections which are the exposition + development + recapitulation. May also have an introduction at the start and a Coda at the end
Aria
elaborate vocal piece typically performed by soloist. Feature ornamentation and melisma.
Recitative
speech-like syllabic vocal music. It uses syllabic settings of words to melody.
Syllabic settings of words to melody
each syllable in the text gets one note
Chaconne
form involving a short repeating bass-line ostinato/ground bass which outlines harmonies that continue throughout piece. While Upper parts change and develop
Passacaglia
like chaconne but ground bass moves from lower parts to upper parts
Word painting
depicting text through music
Imitation
restatement of a motif or phrase by a different part usually a few beats after it was first heard with altered pitch
Dactyl
metre of a long syllable and two short ones
Tierce de picardie
raising third of a minor chord by a semitone to create the sense of a major ending at the close of a piece
Obbligato
an instrumental line that is essential to a piece and is almost as important as solo line
Concerto
soloist/small group of soloists accompanied by a larger orchestral group
Virtuosity
display of exceptional technical musical ability
Programme music
instrumental music that is intended to depict a story or evoke an emotion or image.
