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Music Lecture
Exam #1
44
Music
Undergraduate 1
01/14/2010

Additional Music Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
What are the four main properties of musical sounds?
Definition
pitch, dynamics, tone color and duration
Term
Pitch
Definition
the relative highness or lowness that we hear in a sound
Term
Tone
Definition
A sound that has a definite pitch
Term
Interval
Definition
the "distance" in pitch between any two tones
Term
Range
Definition
distance between the lowest and highest tones that a voice or an instrument can produce
Term
Dynamics
Definition
degrees of loudness or softness in music
Term
Accent
Definition
emphasis on tone given by playing it more loudly than the tones around it
Term
pianissimo (pp)
Definition
very soft
Term
piano (p)
Definition
soft
Term
mezzo piano (mp)
Definition
moderately soft
Term
mezzo forte (mf)
Definition
moderately loud
Term
forte (f)
Definition
loud
Term
fortissimo (ff)
Definition
very loud
Term
Decrescendo or diminuendo
Definition
gradually softer
Term
Crescendo
Definition
gradually louder
Term
Tone color or timbre
Definition
the quality that distinguishes the sound
Term
Pizzicato
Definition
The musician plucks the string, usually with a finger of the right hand. In jazz, the double bass is typically played mainly as a plucked instrument, rather than being bowed.
Term
Vibrato
Definition
The string player can produce a throbbing, expressive tone by rocking the left hand while pressing the string down. This causes small pitch fluctuations, which can make the tone warmer.
Term
Tremolo
Definition
The musician rapidly repeats tones by quick up-and-down strokes of the bow. This can create a sense of tension, when loud; or a shimmering sound, when soft.
Term
Beat
Definition
regular, recurrent pulsation that divides music into equal units of time
Term
Meter
Definition
the organization of beats into regular groups
Term
Downbeat
Definition
The first, or stressed, beat of the measure
Term
Tempo
Definition
the speed of the beat -- the basic pace of the music
Term
Adagio
Definition
slow
Term
Andante
Definition
moderately slow, a walking pace
Term
Allegro
Definition
fast
Term
Vivace
Definition
lively
Term
Melody
Definition
a series of single notes that add up to a recognizable whole
Term
Climax
Definition
emotional focal point
Term
Legato
Definition
smooth, connected style
Term
Staccato
Definition
short, detached style
Term
Consonance
Definition
points of arrival, rest, and resolution
Term
Dissonance
Definition
unstable tone combination; its tension demands an onward motion to a stable chord
Term
Musical Texture
Definition
refers to how many different layers of sound are heard at once, whether they are melody or harmony, and how they are related to each other
Term
Monophonic
Definition
one sound texture
Term
Polyphonic
Definition
many-sounding texture
Term
Homophonic
Definition
one main melody accompanied by chords; attention is focused on the melody, which is supported and colord by sounds of subordinate interest
Term
Repetition
Definition
phrase, section, or entire movement, often used to create a sense of unity
Term
Contrast
Definition
striking differences of pitch, dynamics, rhythm, and tempo that provide variety and change of mood
Term
Variation
Definition
changing some features of a musical idea while retaining others
Term
Three-part form (A B A)
Definition
form that can be represented as statement (A); contrast (B); return of statement (A)
Term
Two-part form (A B)
Definition
form gives a sense of statement (A) and counterstatement (B)
Term
Style
Definition
refers to a characteristic way of treating the various musical elements
Term
Gregorian chant
Definition
melody set to sacred Latin texts and sung without accompaniment (monophonic texture)
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