melody

a musical term defined as a succession of single pitches that we perceive as a recognizable whole.

conjunct

smooth, connected melody that moves principally by steps or small intervals

disjunct

disjointed melody with many leaps

cadence

term for the resting place in a musical phrase

countermelody

a subordinate melody accompanying a principal one

rhythm

controlled movement of music in time

syncopation

a deliberate upsetting of the meter or pulse through a temporary shifting of the accent to a weak beat or an offbeat.

polyrhythm

the simultaneous use of several rhythmic patterns at one time

harmony

simultaneous combination of notes and the ensuing relationships of intervals and chords

dissonance

has a combination of tones that sound discordant or unstable; in need of resolution.

consonance

has a harmonious combination of tones that provide a sense of stability in the music.

monophonic

a single line texture or melody without accompaniment.

homophonic

musical texture with a principle melody and chordal accompanying harmony

call and response

a singing leader who is imitated by a chorus of followers

ostinato

a short rhythmic, melodic, or harmonic pattern that is repeated throughout a work.

(musical) theme

a melodic idea used as a building block in the construction of a composition

motive

a short melodic, harmonic, or rhythmic idea; that forms a melodic, harmonic, or rhythmic unit

dynamics

the element of musical expression relating to the degree of loudness or softness of a sound

strophic form

a type of song structure in which the same music is repeated with every stanza of the poem.

melismatic

many notes per syllable

Gregorian chant

type of music featuring a monophonic melody with a freely flowing, unmeasured vocal line; used for Roman Catholic Mass

troubadors and trouvères

medieval poets and musicians

organum

 the earliest kind of polyphonic music, which added voices above a plainchant

madrigal

a renaissance, secular, vocal, polyphonic piece that could be sung in english or italian 

chanson

a French, secular, polyphonic vocal song with or without instruments in the Renaissance period

tonality

principle of harmonic organization around a home pitch; based on a major or minor scale

major Scale

musical form consist of seven different tones arranged in a specific pattern of whole and half steps

modulation

the process of changing from one key to another within a musical composition 

Baroque

refers to an irregular pearl

monody

a vocal style developed in the Baroque, with a solo singer and instrumental accompaniment.

castrato

 a male singer who is castrated during boyhood to preserve the soprano vocal register

opera

a music drama that is sung throughout; combining vocal and instrumental music, poetry, drama, acting, scenery and costumes

polyphonic

consists of two or more simultaneous lines of independent melody

recitative

the part of the opera that features solo vocal declamations which follow the inflection of the text.

aria

the part of an opera that is a lyric song for solo voice with orchestral accompaniment

libretto

the text of an opera

masque

an english form of entertainment that combined vocal and instrumental music with poetry and dance

cantata

 a vocal genre for solo singers, chorus, and instrumentalists that consists of several movements

oratorio

a large-scale dramatic genre based on a religious or serious text; performed by solo voices, chorus and orchestra

stile concitato

a Baroque style which introduced novel effects such as rapid repeated notes as symbols of passion

chorale

a congregational hymn of the German Lutheran church

harpsichord

a popular keyboard instrument of the Baroque period for which the strings are plucked by quills

sonata

An instrumental genre in several movements for soloist or small ensemble

concerto

an instrumental genre in several movements for solo instrument(s) and orchestra

suite

a multi-movement work consisting of a series of contrasting dance movements

fugue

a compositional procedure characterized by the systematic imitation of a principal theme (subject) in simultaneously sounding melodic lines (counterpoint).

Empfindsamkeit

german term for a ‘sensitive style’ of music, which was popularized int teh 18th century

Opera buffa

comic Italian opera

Sequence

To restate an idea or motive at a different pitch level in a large-scale musical work.

Absolute music

music that has no literary, dramatic, or pictorial program.

Sonata-allegro form

Most first movements of symphonies during the classical period were in this form. Expo, Devlp, Recap.

Homophonic

a musical texture that features a principle melody and accompanying (or chordal) harmony.

Chamber music

ensemble music for up to ten players, with one player to a part.

String Quartet

2 violins, 1 viola, and 1 cello

Classical sonata

a multi-movement instrumental genre for soloist or small ensemble.

Opera seria

tragic italian opera

Singspiel

comic German opera

Rocket theme

a quickly ascending rhythmic melody used in Classical-era instrumental music

Cyclical form

a technique of musical construction, involving multiple sections or movements, in which a theme, melody, or thematic material occurs in more than one movement as a unifying device

Classical concerto

a multi-movement instrumental genre for solo instrument and orchestra

Cadenza

virtuosic solo passage in the manner of an improvisation

Symphony

a large work for orchestra, generally in four movements

Review the instruments of the orchestra.

cello, violas, violins, trumbet, trumbone, flute, clarinet, tuba, bassoons, oboes,