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Music Theory Terms (Week 1)
Definitions for key terms in the course
33
Music
Undergraduate 1
07/08/2014

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Term
Half step
Definition
Each movement of one key, black or white, is the movement of a half step. A half step is the smallest difference in pitch on the keyboard.
Term
Accidentals
Definition
Musical symbols that raise and lower notes by half steps.
Term
Sharp
Definition
Musical symbol that raises a note one half step to the right.
Term
Flat
Definition
Musical symbol that lowers a note one half step to the left.
Term
Natural
Definition
Musical symbol which negates a sharp or flat; the white keys.
Term
Enharmonic tones
Definition
Notes which have the same pitch, but are notated (spelled) differently.
Term
Diatonic scale
Definition
An eight-note musical scale composed of seven pitches and a repeated octave.
Term
TREBLE CLEF
Definition
represents notes which are generally higher, like the treble EQ controls of your stereo. also known as the "G Clef" because the sprial of the clef curls around the note "G." The notes on the spaces of the treble clef staff spell FACE. The notes on the lines are EGBDF, which can be remembered by the phrase, "Every Good Boy Does Fine."
Term
THE STAFF
Definition
made of 5 lines and 4 spaces. Notes placed lower sound lower, and notes placed higher sound higher.
Term
BASS CLEF
Definition
represents notes which are generally lower. is also known as the "F Clef" because the dots on the clef highlight the note "F." The spaces can be remembered as A C E G (All Cows Eat Grass), while the lines are G B D F A (Good Boys Do Fine Always).
Term
GRAND STAFF
Definition
combines treble and bass clef together by using a bar line and a brace. Middle C is notated between these two staves.
Term
LEDGER LINES
Definition
allow us to extend the range of either staff to play higher or lower notes. To use ledger lines, simply continue to name the notes of the musical alphabet.
Term
Interval
Definition
The distance between any two notes.
Term
Whole step
Definition
An interval consisting of two half steps. The interval of a whole step is often referred to as a "major second," represented "M2."
Term
Double Sharp
Definition
Musical symbol what raises a note two half steps to the right on the keyboard.
Term
Double Flat
Definition
Musical symbol that lowers a note two half steps to the left on the keyboard.
Term
Measure/Bar
Definition
A repeating pattern in music. In music notation, measures are separated by a bar line.
Term
Bar line
Definition
The vertical line which separates measures, or "bars," in music.
Term
Beat
Definition
The primary pulse in music.
Term
Meter
Definition
A repeating pattern of beats in music.
Term
Beat Division
Definition
The interaction between the beat and secondary pulse of a meter.
Term
Simple Meter
Definition
Meters with two divisions per beat.
Term
Compound Meter
Definition
Meters with three divisions per beat.
Term
Downbeat
Definition
The first beat of a measure. There is a feeling of emphasis on beat 1.
Term
Time Signature
Definition
Appearing at the beginning of a written piece of music, the time signature indicates the meter of the piece.
Term
Common Time
Definition
another name for music with four beats per measure. This is the most common metric pattern around the world.
Term
Tempo
Definition
The speed of the beat.
Term
BPM
Definition
How many beats of a song are played in one minute. This term is a measurement of tempo, and is used interchangeably with "tempo."
Term
Note Head
Definition
indicates the highness or lowness of the pitch. can be either hollow or filled.
Term
Stem
Definition
A vertical line which is attached to an hollow or filled note head in order to produce a desired rhythmic value.
Term
Flag
Definition
An indicator that the beat has been divided, as in the case of eighth notes, or subdivided, as in the case of sixteenth notes. An eighth note has one, while a sixteenth has two. are only used when single instances of the note are written.
Term
Beam
Definition
An indicator that the beat has been divided or subdivided. joins the stems of two or more eighth or sixteenth notes together. As with flags, eighth notes use one beam, and sixteenth notes use two beams.
Term
Rest
Definition
A moment of silence within music, notated rhythmically.
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