Texture & Melody Flashcards
Define texture.
How the different layers of the music weave together.
Describe a ‘unison’ texture.
Everyone sings/plays exactly the same thing at the same time.
Describe an ‘imitative texture’.
One part copies or repeats what another musical part has just done.
Describe a ‘harmonic/homophonic’ texture.
The different parts of the music move together.
Describe an ‘octave’ texture.
The pitch of the instruments or singers is an octave apart.
Describe a ‘layered’ texture.
Sections of music that are repeated again and again are loops. When lots of loops are played at the same time this is layered texture.
Describe a ‘heterophonic’ texture.
Two or more slightly different versions of the same melody played at the same time.
Describe a ‘canonic’ texture.
Each part is the same and overlaps, but they start at different times.
Describe an ‘antiphonal’ texture.
Two groups of musicians who take it in turns to play in a kind of musical conversation.
Describe a ‘polyphonic/contrapuntal’ texture.
The different parts of the music are interwoven and are equally important. Different sounds at the same time.
Describe a ‘monophonic’ texture.
No accompaniment or harmony, just one line of melody.
What is a melody?
The tune.
What is a ‘melody with accompaniment’?
Melody with instruments or singers accompanying to provide harmony.
What are the features of a ‘conjunct’ melody?
Smooth, moves by step.
What is a ‘modal’ melody?
Uses notes from the ancient scales called modes.
What is a ‘melodic sequence’?
When a melody is repeated at different pitches.
What is a ‘whole tone melody’?
Uses notes from the whole tone scale- no semitones.
What are the features of a ‘disjunct’ melody?
Lots of jumps and leaps.
What is an ‘arpeggio’?
The first chord of a key, with the last note played on top.
What are ‘acciaccaturas’ and ‘appoggiaturas’?
Ornaments- used to decorate the melody.
Short notes played quickly before th main notes of the melody.
What is a’chromatic’ melody?
Uses some notes that don’t belong to the scale.
What is ‘diminution’?
When a melody is made shorter by taking notes away or making them shorter.
What are ‘passing notes’?
Notes in between the main notes.
What is ‘ornamentation’?
The decoration of the melody.
