Terms 2A Flashcards

1
Q

maestoso

A

majestically

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2
Q

marcato

A

emphasized, heavily accented

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3
Q

medesimo

A

the same

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4
Q

mediant

A

the third degree of the major or minor scale. the triad built on this degree is labeled iii in the major scale, III in the minor scale, and III+ in the harmonic scale.

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5
Q

medieval

A

the period prior to the Renaissance, c. 500-1450, marking the music of the early Christian church

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6
Q

melody

A

a succession of musical tones. It represents the linear or horizontal aspect of music.

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7
Q

meno mosso

A

less motion

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8
Q

mezzo

A

half, medium

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9
Q

mezzo forte

A

medium loud

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10
Q

mezzo piano

A

medium soft

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11
Q

mode

A

any scalewise arrangement of pitches; patterns upon which medieval music was structured, the patterns which preceded the development of major and minor scales and tonality

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12
Q

moderato

A

moderate speed

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13
Q

modulation

A

the process of changing from one key to another within a composition

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14
Q

molto

A

very; used with other terms e.g. molto allegro

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15
Q

mordent

A

an ornament consisting of an alteration (once or twice) of the written note by playing the immediately below it, or above it.

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16
Q

morendo

A

gradually decreasing in volume, dying away

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17
Q

motive

A

a short melodic or rhythmic pattern

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18
Q

moto

A

motion. con moto, with motion

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19
Q

nonharmonic tones

A

a designation for tones outside the harmonic structure of the chord. passing tone, appoggiatura

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20
Q

non troppo

A

not too much

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21
Q

nuance

A

subtle variations in tempo, phrasing, dynamics

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22
Q

octet

A

a piece for eight instruments or voices

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23
Q

open fifth

A

a triad without a third

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24
Q

open strings

A

strings are not stopped, fingered, or fretted

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25
opus op
the term, meaning work, is used by composers to show the chronological order of their work
26
orchestration
the art of writing, arranging, or scoring for the orchestra
27
ornamentation
note or notes added to the original melodic line for embellishment and add interest
28
ossia
"or" indicating an alternative passage or version
29
ostinato
a repeated melodic or rhythmic pattern, frequently appearing in the bass line
30
overtones
the almost inaudible higher tones which occur with the fundamental tone. They are the results of the vibration of small sections of a string or column of air. Partials and harmonics.
31
passing tones
unaccented notes which move conjunctly between two chords to which they do not belong harmonically
32
pesante
heavy
33
petite
little
34
phrase
a relatively short portion of a melodic line which expresses a musical idea, comparable to a line or sentence in poetry
35
pianoforte
"soft-loud" a keyboard instrument, the full name for the piano, on which sound is produced by hammers striking strings when keys are pressed. 88 keys
36
picardy third
term for raising of the third, making a major triad, in the final chord of a composition which is in a minor key.
37
piu
more
38
pizzicato
pinched. on string instruments, plucking the string
39
poco
little
40
primo
first
41
quartet
a piece for four instruments or voices. four performers
42
rallentando
gradually slower
43
renaissance
1450-1600
44
resonance
reinforcement and intensification of sound by vibrations
45
rhythm
term which denotes the organization of sound in time; the temporal quality of sound
46
rubato
flexibility of tempo to assist in achieving expressiveness
47
rudiments
on drums, the basis sticking patterns
48
sans
without
49
schnell
fast
50
secco
dry. unornamented
51
sempre
always
52
senza
without. used with other terms e.g. senza crescendo
53
sforzando
sudden strong accent on a note or chord
54
simile
an indication to continue in the same manner
55
sonata
an instrumental piece, often in several movements
56
sostenuto
sustaining of tone or slackening of tempo
57
spiccato
on string instruments, a bowing technique wherein the bow is bounced on the string at moderate speed
58
staccato
detached sounds, indicated by a dot over or under a note. the opposite of legato
59
stanza
a selection of a son, two or more lines long, characterized by a common meter, rhyme, and number of lines
60
subdominant
the fourth degree of the major or minor scale. Also, the name of the triad built on the fourth degree of the scale, indicated by IV in a major key and by iv in a minor key
61
subito
suddenly
62
suspension
the use of a nonharmonic tone to delay the resolution of a chord, frequently as it occurs
63
syncopation
accent on an unexpected beat
64
tempo primo
return to the original tempo
65
tenuto, ten
hold or sustain a note longer than the indicated value, usually not as long a duration as the fermata
66
ternary form
three part form in which the middle section is different from the other sections. ABA
67
terraced dynamics
the baroque style of using sudden changes in dynamic levels, as opposed to gradual increase and decrease in volume
68
tertian harmony
a term used to describe music based on chords arranged in intervals of thirds
69
tessitura
the general pitch range of a vocal part
70
tranquillo
tranquilly; quietly; calm
71
troppo
too much. used with other terms e.g. allegro non troppo not too fast
72
tutti
all. a direction for the entire ensemble to sing or play simultaneously
73
unison
singing or playing the same notes by all singers or players, either at exactly the same pitch or in a different octave
74
un poco
a little
75
virtuoso
a brillant, skillful performer
76
vivace
lively, brisk, quick, and bright