Vocab 1 Flashcards
Allegro
Tempo marking indicating fast (Italian)
Harmony
the combination of simultaneous musical notes or frequencies
Alto
Refers to the 2nd highest voice in a traditional four voice music notation. (Italian)
Andante
Tempo Marking indicating “walking pace” or moderate. Slower than Allegro (Italian)
Bass
The lowest voice in traditional four voice music notation. (Italian)
BPM
Tempo markings are indicated in Beats Per MInute
Form
refers to the overall structure or plan of a piece of music, [1] and it describes the layout of a composition as divided into sections.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_form)
Forte
A dynamic marking in notated music indicated loud. (Italian)
Half Step
Synonym for Semitone
instrumentation
The variety and/or combinations of instruments used to perform a piece.
Interval
The distance between two notes. In western music the distance is measured by semitones.
Lento
A tempo indication meaning very slow.
Major Key
A tonal or harmonic center emphasized from the third scale degree being one wholestep (two semitones) above the second.
Mezzo Forte
A dynamic marking in notated music indicating a moderate volume.
Minor Key
A tonal or harmonic center emphasized from the third scale degree being one semitone above the second.
Octave
a series of eight notes occupying the interval between (and including) two notes, one having twice or half the frequency of vibration of the other. ()
Piano
A dynamic marking in notated sheet music indicating soft (Italian)
Pitch
the quality of a sound governed by the rate of vibrations producing it; the degree of highness or lowness of a tone.
Rhythm
the systematic arrangement of musical sounds, principally according to duration and periodic stress.
Semitone
In Western Music, the smallest distance between two notes. One twelfth of an octave.
Soprano
The highest voice in traditional four voice music notation. (Italian)
Tempo
the speed at which a passage of music is or should be played. Usually measured in beats per minute.
Tenor
The 2nd lowest voice in traditional 4 voice music notation. (Italian)
Timbre
The qualities of a sound that allow the listener to differentiate it from others. The unique tone or color of a sound.
Triad
In western music, a set of three notes where each is a third away from the next.
Whole Step
Musical Interval comprised of two semi-tones. Also called a whole tone. The difference in pitch that is equal to one sixth of an octave. (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whole%20step)
Chromatic Scale
A scale of twelve notes(ascending or descending), each a semitone away from the next.
Compound Meter
The BEAT is divided into three.
Duple
The MEASURE is divided into two
Meter
defines the rhythmic pattern of a measure by creating theoretical divisions of notes or beats. Meter is specified by the time signature.
Rest
Notated silence in sheet music.
Time Signature
A label to identify specific meters usually represented by a top and bottom number.
Triple
Refers to a meter where the MEASURE is divided by three.
Simple Meter
The BEAT is divided into two.
Whole Tone Scale
Scale made of six notes each a whole step away from next. (only 2 exist)
