Theory Key Words Flashcards

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1
Q

Compound Time

A

Time signatures which are divided into three sections, as opposed to two, and have a 1,2,3 rhythm. (BAR 3/4)
6/8
12/8
9/4

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2
Q

Guiro

A

Wooden percussion instrument which you strike with a wooden stick.

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3
Q

Hemiola rhythm

A

Syncopated rhythm with three beats in the time of two or two beats in the time of 3.

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4
Q

Dynamic Markings

A
pp --> pianissimo
p --> Piano
mp --> Mezzo Piano
mf --> Mezzo Forte
f --> Forte
ff --> Fortissimo
fp --> Fortepiano
sfz --> Sforzando
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5
Q

Chromatic

A

Musical scale of every note every semitone so black and white keys, leaving no gaps.

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6
Q

Pentatonic

A

A scale of five notes.

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7
Q

Modal

A

A seven note scale.

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8
Q

Augmentation (rhythmic device)

A

Melody parts with longer note values than previously played.

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9
Q

Diminution (rhythmic device)

A

Longer notes in a melody, divided into shorter notes.

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10
Q

Inversion

A

Rearrangement of parts in a chord.

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11
Q

Harmonic Devices

A
Diatonic and chromatic
Consonant and dissonant
Pedal and drone
Cadences
Major minor etc.
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12
Q

Key Modulations

A

A change of key to relative major or minor typically.

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13
Q

Dominant Seventh

A

A weird type of chord.

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14
Q

Anacrusis

A

1+ unstressed notes before the first bar of a piece of music.

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15
Q

Tremolando

A

Wavering effect on a note.

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16
Q

Ensemble Types

A

What/who is in it i.e. a string quartet.

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17
Q

Strophic

A

Verse of a song is sung in the same music.

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18
Q

Polyrhythm

A

Two or more rhythms simultaneously.

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19
Q

Scotch Snap

A

Dotted note preceded by a shorter, stressed note.

20
Q

Rubato

A

Disregarding of a strict tempo.

21
Q

Arch Shape

A

A sectional structure for a piece of music.

22
Q

Contrapuntal

A

Polyphonic texture.

23
Q

Tempo Names

A
Lento --> Slowly
Largo --> Slow and stately
Adagio --> Leisurely
Andante --> Walking Pace
Allegro --> Fast
Vivace --> Lively
Presto --> Very Quickly
24
Q

Triadic

A

A group of three.

25
Q

Glissando

A

A continuous slide upwards or downwards on an instrument, mainly on a piano.

26
Q

Mordent

A

Rapid alteration of note with a note immediately above or below it.

27
Q

Retrograde

A

Backwards and upside down.

28
Q

Accelerando

A

Gradually increase the tempo of a song.

29
Q

Antiphonal

A

Usually in church, played or sung alternately by to groups.

30
Q

Pedal

A

A sustained note/same note repeated in bass throughout entirety of the song

31
Q

Drone

A

Note or chord continually sounded throughout a piece of music.

32
Q

Satar

A

Indian instrument heard in almost every piece.

33
Q

Imitative

A

Part imitating another part.

34
Q

Sarangi

A

An Indian bowed string instrument.

35
Q

Agogo Bells

A

African metal instrument which looks like cow bells.

36
Q

Dhol

A

Double headed Indian drum.

37
Q

Dotted Rhythms

A

Rhythm where beat is unequally divided into short and long notes.

38
Q

Pause

A

An interval of silence.

39
Q

Alberti Bass

A

Broken chord where notes are ordered lowest, highest, middle, highest.

40
Q

Detached Chords

A

Triads, sub-dominant and dominant.

41
Q

Chord Sequence Names

A

Numbered chords in a piece of music.

42
Q

Turn

A

Ornament a line and are fast notes.

43
Q

Circle Of Fifths

A
D minor and F major
A minor and C major
E minor and G major
B minor and D major
F# minor and A major
C# minor and E major
G# minor and B major
Eb minor and F# major
Bb minor and Db major
F minor and Ab major
C minor and Eb major
G minor and Bb major
44
Q

Diatonic

A

Pattern with no chromatic interruption.

45
Q

Sequence

A

Replayed pattern at a higher or lower pitch.

46
Q

Arpeggio

A

Notes of a chord that are played in rising or descending order.

47
Q

Ostinato

A

Repeated part at the same pitch.