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.
What is a ‘triadic’ melody?
Uses notes of a triad e.g. CEG.
What is ‘inversion’?
When a melody is turned upside down.
What is an ‘ostinato/riff’?
Short repeated pattern
Short repeated pattern
Short repeated pattern
Short repeated pattern
What is ‘augmentation’?
When a melody is made longer by adding notes or making the notes longer.
What is a ‘pentatonic’ melody?
Uses notes from the pentatonic scale (5 notes within an octave).
What is ‘phrasing/articulation’?
Describes how the melody should sound.
Legato?
Smoothly.
Staccato?
Shorted and detached.
Slur?
Very smooth, no gaps.
Sforzando?
Suddenly and quickly, strong and loud.
What is a ‘pitch bend’?
When the pitch of a note is raised or lowered slightly.
What is a ‘harmonic sequence’?
When a pattern of chords is repeated.
What is ‘improvisation’?
Creating new music, on the spot. Make it up as you go along.
Slide/glissando/portamento?
Sliding from one note to another, used by singers and instruments.
Interval in Jaws?
Minor 2nd.
Interval in Happy Birthday?
Major 2nd.
Interval in Smoke on the Water?
Minor 3rd.
Interval in While Shephard’s?
Major 3rd.
Interval in Amazing Grace?
Perfect 4th.
Interval in ‘The Simpsons…’?
Tritone.
Interval in Twinkle Twinkle Little Star?
Perfect 5th.
Interval between 3rd and 4th notes of ‘The Entertainer’?
Minor 6th.
Interval in ‘Dash—ing through the snow’?
Major 6th.
Interval in Somewhere?
Minor 7th.
Interval in Somewhere Over the Rainbow?
Octave.
