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Understanding Music
Chapters 1-12 Vocabulary
140
Music
Undergraduate 3
09/08/2013

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Cards

Term
Melody
Definition
Is the line or tune in music.
Term
Melody
Definition
Is a succession of single pitches that we perceive as a recognizable whole.
Term
Contour
Definition
A part of the melody in its overall shape as it turns upward, downward, or remains static.
Term
Range
Definition
Is the distance between the lowest and highest notes.
Term
Interval
Definition
The distance between any two pitches.
Term
Conjunct
Definition
Melodies that move principally by small intervals in a joined connected manner.
Term
Disjunct
Definition
Melodies that move in larger disconnected intervals.
Term
Phrases
Definition
Is a unit of meaning within a larger structure.
Term
Cadence
Definition
The phrase ends in a resting place.
Term
Counter Melody
Definition
A melody may be accompanied by a secondary melody.
Term
Counter Melody
Definition
More complex music can feature several simultaneous melodies. Sometimes the relative importance of one melody over the other is clear, and the added tune is called a _________. (Against the melody.)
Term
Climax
Definition
The high point in a melodic line, which usually represents a peak in intensity as well as in range.
Term
Rhyme Scheme
Definition
A poem describes the similarity in sound of the last syllables in each line.
Term
Rhythm
Definition
Is what moves music forward in time.
Term
Rhythm
Definition
Music is propelled forward by _________, the movement of music in time.
Term
Beat
Definition
is the basic unit of rhythm, it is a regular pulse that divides time into equal segments.
Term
Accented
Definition
Some beats are stronger than others.
Term
Meters
Definition
Organizing patterns of rhythmic pulses.
Term
Measures
Definition
In notation, are marked off.
Term
Measure Lines
Definition
Regular vertical lines through the staff.
Term
Downbeat
Definition
The first accented beat of each pattern referring to the downward stroke of a conductor's hand.
Term
Duple Meter
Definition
Alternates a strong downbeat with a weak beat.
Term
Triple Meter
Definition
A basic pattern has three beats to one measure- one strong beat and two weak beats.
Term
Quadruple Meter
Definition
Contains four beats to one measure, with a primary accent on the first beat and a secondary accent on the third.
Term
Simple Meter
Definition
Meters in which the beat has duple subdivisions.
Term
Compound Meter
Definition
Meter in which each beat is subdivided into three rather than two.
Term
Sextuple Meter
Definition
Most common compound meter that has 6 beats to the measure, with accents on beats one and four.
Term
Syncopation
Definition
A deliberate upsetting of the normal pattern of accents.
Term
Off Beat
Definition
Instead of falling on the strong beat of measure, the accent is shifted to a weak beat, inbetween the strong beats.
Term
Polyrhythm
Definition
The simultaneous use of rhythmic patterns that conflict with the underlying beat, such as 'two against three" or "three against four" the left hand might play two notes to a beat, while the right hand plays three notes to the same beat.
Term
Additive Meter
Definition
The rhythmic organization is even more complex or grouping of irregular numbers of beats that add up to a larger overall pattern.
Term
Nonmetric
Definition
Some music moves without any strong sense of beat or meter, or that the pulse is veiled or weak.
Term
Cords
Definition
When three or more tones are sounded together.
Term
Harmony
Definition
Describes the vertical events in music, or how they sound together.
Term
Harmony
Definition
The sitmultaneous sounding of notes to form cords and the progression from one chord to the next. It implies movement and progression.
Term
Scale
Definition
The intervals from which cords and melodies are built are chosen from a particular collection of pitches arranged in ascending or descending order.
Term
Octave
Definition
An interval of eight notes. Do~Re~Mi~Fa~Sol~La~Ti~Do
Term
Triad
Definition
A particular combination of three tones.
Term
Triad
Definition
Common chord in Western music which has three notes built on alternate pitches of a scale.
Term
Tonic
Definition
Is the central tone around which a melody and its harmonies are built.
Term
Tonic
Definition
The first note of the scale, "Do", serves as a home base around which the others resolve and to which they ultimately gravitate.
Term
Tonality
Definition
The principle of organization around a central tone.
Term
Dissonance
Definition
Is created by an unstable, or discordant, combination of tones.
Term
Dissonance
Definition
As music moves in time, we feel moments of tension and release. The tension is a perceived instability, a combination of tones that sounds discordant, in need of resolution. ________ introduces conflict into music in the same way that suspense creates tension in drama.
Term
Consonance
Definition
Occurs with a resolution of dissonance, producing a stable or restful sound.
Term
Consonance
Definition
A concordant, or agreeable, combination of musical tones that provides a sense of relaxation and fulfillment. At their extremes, dissonance can sound harsh, while ____________ is more pleasing to the ear.
Term
Drone
Definition
A harmony consisting of a single sustained tone.
Term
Half Step
Definition
The octave (interval of 8 notes of the scale) is divided into 12 half steps, the smallest interval used.
Term
Half Step
Definition
12 equal semitones, from these are built the major and minor scales (each with a different combination of 7 notes).
Term
Whole Step
Definition
Two half steps make a whole.
Term
Chromatic Scale
Definition
Is made up of 12 half steps.
Term
Sharp (#)
Definition
Raises a tone by a half step.
Term
Flat (b)
Definition
Lowers a tone by a half step.
Term
Key
Definition
Defines the relationship of tones with a common center or tonic. Also a lever on a keyboard or woodwind instrument.
Term
Diatonic Scale
Definition
Is built on patterns of seven whole and half steps that form major and minor scales.
Term
Diatonic Scale
Definition
Diatonic Music, both the melody and the harmony are firmly rooted in the key.
Term
Pentatonic
Definition
5 notes scale, most common in African, Asian, and Native American musics. ________ ________ can be formed in a number of patterns, each with its own unique quality sound.
Term
Tritonic
Definition
A 3 note pattern found in the music of some African Cultures.
Term
Microtones
Definition
Some scales are not easily playable on Western Instrument because they employ intervals smaller than our half step, and may sound "off-key".
Term
Inflection
Definition
One way of producing microtonal music by an inflection of pitch, or making a brief micro-tonal dip or rise from the original pitch.
Term
Active Cords
Definition
In the diatonic system, chords which need to resolve to the tonic cord. These include the dominant chord and the subdominate chord.
Term
Subdominate
Definition
The triad built on the fourth scale (fa) is known as the ________ (IV). The movement from the _________ to the tonic (IV to I) is familiar from the chords accompanying the "Amen" sung at the close of many hymns.
Term
Modulation
Definition
Composers begin by establishing a home key. Then change to a related key, perhaps the dominate, in doing so creates tension, because the dominate key in unstable compared to the tonic.
Term
Transposition
Definition
Composers may take an entire work and set it or transpose it, in a new key. This is convenient when a song'g original key is too key or low to sinf or play easily. You could begin on a different pitch and shift all the tones a uniform distance to a different level.
Term
Texture
Definition
Refers to the interweaving of the melodic lines with harmony in music.
Term
Monophony
Definition
Is the simplest texture or single-voiced music without accompaniment.
Term
Heterohpny
Definition
Refers to multiple voices elaborating the same melody at the same time.
Term
Improvisation
Definition
In which some of the music is created on the spot.
Term
Polyphony
Definition
"Many-Voiced" textures, in which two or more different melodic lines are combined, thus distributing melodic interest among all the parts.
Term
Counterpoint
Definition
One musical line set against another.
Term
Homophony
Definition
A single voice takes over the melodic interest, while the accompanying lines are subordinate.
Term
Imitation
Definition
In which a melodic idea is presented in one voice and then restated in another. While the imitating voice restates the melody, the first voice continues with new material.
Term
Canon
Definition
Is strictly imitative work.
Term
Round
Definition
Is the simplest and most familar form of a canon. In which each voice enters in succession with the same melody that can be repeated endlessly. Think Row Row Row Your Boat.
Term
Form
Definition
Is the organizing principle in music, its basic elements are repetition, contrast, and variation.
Term
Repetition
Definition
Fixed on the material in our minds and satisfies our need for the familiar.
Term
Contrast
Definition
Stimulates our interest and feeds our desire for change.
Term
Strophic Form
Definition
One of the most common in vocal music, both popular and classical, in which the same melody is repeated with each stanza of the text.
Term
Varitation
Definition
One principle of form that falls between repetition and contrast, where some aspects of the music are altered but the original is still recognizable.
Term
Binary
Definition
Two-part, is based on a statement and a departure, without a return to the complete opening section. (A-B)
Term
A-B
Definition
Binary
Term
Ternary
Definition
Three Part, form extends the idea of statement and departure by bringing back the first section. (A-B-A)
Term
A-B-A
Definition
Ternary
Term
Theme
Definition
Is a melodic idea in a large-scale work.
Term
Theme
Definition
When a melodic idea is used as a building block in the construction of a larger musical work.
Term
Motives
Definition
Is the smallest fragment of a theme that forms a melodic-rhythmic unit. Motives are the cells of musical growth, which, when repeated, varied, and combined into new patterns, impart the qualities of evolution and expansion.
Term
Sequence
Definition
Results when a motive is repeated at a different pitch.
Term
Sequence
Definition
Repetition, which may be either exact or varied. Or the idea may be restated at higher or lower pitch level.
Term
Call-and-Response or Responsorial Music
Definition
A repetitive style involving a soloist and a group.
Term
Thematic development
Definition
The expansion of a theme, achieved by varying its melodic outline, rhythm, or harmony.
Term
Ostinato
Definition
Is the repetition of a short melodic, rhythmic, or harmonic pattern.
Term
Movement
Definition
Large-Scale compositions, such as symphonies and sonatas, are divided into sections.
Term
Tempo
Definition
Is the rate of speed, or pace, of the music.
Term
Moderato
Definition
Moderate
Term
Allegro
Definition
Fast
Term
Adagio
Definition
Quite Slow
Term
Accelerando
Definition
Speeding up
Term
Ritardando
Definition
Slowing down
Term
Dynamics
Definition
Denotes the volume (degree of loudness or softness) at which music is played.
Term
Forte
Definition
Loud
Term
Piano
Definition
Soft
Term
Timbre or Tone Color
Definition
Properties of sound include pitch, duration, volume.
Term
Instrument
Definition
Is the mechanism that generates musical vibrations and launches them into the air.
Term
Register
Definition
Describes a specific area in the range of an instrument or voice, such as a low, middle, or high.
Term
Vocal Ranges
Definition
How high or low a voice is sung.
Term
Soprano
Mezzo-Soprano
Alto
Definition
Womens voices sung.
Term
Tenor
Barritone
Bass
Definition
Mens voices sung.
Term
Aerophone
Definition
Musical instruments that produce sound by using air blown into or over a pipe.
Term
Chorophones
Definition
Musical instruments that produce sound from vibrating string stretched between two points. The string may be set in motion by bowing, plucking, or striking it to cause it to vibrate.
Term
Idiophones
Definition
Musical instruments that produce sound from the substance of the instrument itself. They maybe struck, shaken, scraped, or rubbed.
Term
Membranophones
Definition
Musical instruments that produce sound are drum-type instruments that sound from tightly stretched membranes. These instruments can be struck, plucked, rubbed, or even sung into, thus setting the skin in vibration.
Term
Strings
Definition
All chorophones that are bowed or plucked.
Term
Chorophones
Definition
Violin, Viola, Cello (violoncello), Double Bass== Bow or plucked
Harp== Plucked
Guitar== Plucked
Term
Woodwinds
Definition
Areophones, produce a sound with a column of air vibrating within a pipe that has fingerholes along its length.
Term
Areophone
Definition
Flute
Oboe
Clarinet
Bassoon
Saxophone
Term
Brass
Definition
Areophone, have a cup shape mouth piece attached to a length of metal tubing that flares at the end into a bell.
Term
Areophone
Definition
Trumpet
French Horn
Trombone
Tuba
Term
Percussion
Definition
A variety of idiophones and membranophones.
Term
Membranophones
Definition
Timpani/Kettle Drum
Snare Drum
Tenor Drum
Bass Drum
Tom-Tom
Term
Piano
Definition
Strings that are struck with hammers. Cannot sustain tone.
Term
Organ
Definition
type of areophone/wind instrument. Air flows into many of its pipes.
Term
Harpsichord
Definition
quills pluck metal strings.
Term

A Cappella

Definition

Singing without accompaniment.

Term

Chorus

Definition

Is a fairly large body of singers who perform together, their music is usually sung in several voice parts.

Term

Choir

Definition

is traditionally a smaller group of singers. 

Term

Chamber Choir

Definition

Is ensemble singers for small groups, with one singer per part. (SATB)

Term

Chamber Music

Definition

Is ensemble music for small groups, with one player per part. 

String Quartets

Woodwinds Quintets

Brass Quintets

Term

Orchestra

Definition

Modern, features 80 to 100 players. 

Term

Conductor

Definition

Leads by use of a baton to keep beats to help performers keep the same tempo.

Term

Symphony Orchestra

Definition

Strings coupled with an assortment of woodwinds, brass, and percussion. 

Term

Concert Band

Definition

Sometimes called wind ensemble. 40-80 players- secondary schools, colleges, universitities. 

Term

Sacred Music

Definition

For religous functions. 

Term

Secular Music

Definition

For non-religous functions. 

Term

Genres

Definition

Categories of music. 

Term

Cross over categories

Definition

Borrowing elements of one style for use in another. 

Term

Symphony

Definition

Is a genre designation for a standard format- usually a four-movement orchestral work. 

Term

Symphony

Definition

also implies Medium,  or specific group that performs the peiece in this case, an orchestra. 

Term

Oral Transmission

Definition

Some music is not written down but is known. It is passed down and played from memory. 

Term

Style

Definition

The distinctive features of any artwork. A musical _____ is created through individual treatment of the basic musical elements. 

Term

Historical Periods

Definition

Organize styles of artwork, each with its own characteristics. 

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