Theory Flashcards
What is a riff/ostinato?
repeated pattern
What do these words mean?
Homophonic
Polyphonic
Monophonic
Homophonic- A single part with chords
Polyphonic- multiple parts interweaving
Monophonic- Single part (on its own)
What do these words mean? Largo Andante Moderato Allegro Vivace
Largo- Slowly Andante- walking pace Moderato- At moderate speed Allegro- Fast Vivace- Lively
What does Ostinato mean?
Repeating pattern
What does a polyrhythm mean?
Rhythms interweaving
What is Syncopation?
Off beat rhythm
what is rubato?
Pulling temo around
What is Hemiola?
3 against 2 (Triplets over 2 beats)
What Does tonality mean?
Major or Minor
Describe all of these cadences
perfect Imperfect Interrupted Plagal Tierce de picardie
perfect- 5-1 - sounds finished Imperfect - anything-5 - sounds unfinished Interrupted- 5-6 sounds unfinished Plagal 4-1 - amen, end of piece Tierce de picardie - minor-major
What is the rhymes for:
Minor 2nd and a major 2nd
Minor second- Fur elise
Major 2nd- Happy Birthday
What are the rhymes for the interval:
Minor 3rd
major 3rd
minor 3rd- hey jude
major 3rd- swing low
What are the rhymes for the interval:
perfect 4th
argumented 4th
perfect 5th
perfect 4th- amazing grace
augmented 4th- the simpsons
perfect 5th- twinkle twinkle little star
What are the rhymes for the interval:
minor 6th
major 6th
minor 6th- the entertainer
major 6th- my bonnie lies over the ocean
what are the rhymes for the interval;
Minor 7th
major 7th
perfect octave
minor 7th- winner takes it all
major 7th- take on me
perfect octave- somewhere over the rainbow
Name the forms: AAA, AB ABA ABACA, or ABACADA
Strophic - AAA
Binary - AB
Ternary - ABA
Rondo - ABACA, or ABACADA
What is a virtuoso?
someone who has developed highly skilled techniques of performance on one particular instrument
What is word painting
Writing music that reflects the literal meaning of the song
What does strophic and through-composed mean?
strophic- using same melody for verses
Through-composed- different music for each verse throughout the song
What is a timbre?
Instrumental family
What does dissonance mean?
clashing of chords
What does conjunct and disjunct mean?
conjunct- melodies moving in steps
disjunct- melodies moving in leaps
Define these: grace note acciaccatura An appoggiatura A trill A mordent
single note ornament such as the acciaccatura or appoggiatura.
played as quickly as possible before the note that follows it. It is sometimes called a crush note.
leans on the main note taking part of its value.
formed by quickly playing the note and the note above it alternately.
formed by playing the note, the note above and then back to the first note.
What are some rhythmic devices?
Syncopation
Cross rhythm
Polyrhythm
Triplets
what is a anacrusis?
down beat
What is simple time? Give two examples
What is compound time? Give two examples.
Tempo with a crotchet beat. Examples=2/4 and 4/4
Tempo with a quaver beat. Examples= 6/8 12/8
What is augmentation?
What is diminution?
Lengthening rhythms.
Shortening rhythms.
What is contrapuntal?
Lots of parts weaving in and out of each other.
What is pizzicato?
It’s when it is plucked.
what is sforzando?
It is an indication to make a strong, sudden accent on a note or chord.
What is reverb?
Warmness to a sound
What is arch shape?
Play the sections in reverse ABCBA
What is the sonata form (playing it)
A solo instrument with a piano Accompaniment.
What does strophic mean?
What does through composed mean?
is the term applied to songs in which all verses or stanzas of the text are sung to the same music
music is different throughout the piece
