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European Composers Real
Terms and Stuff
67
Music
Undergraduate 4
05/18/2010

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Term
Frequency
Definition
Pitch, vibrations per second, highness or lowness of a sound
Term
Melody
Definition
Sucession of single tones or pitches perceived as unity
Term
Range
Definition
distance the lowest and highest tones
Term
Shape
Definition
graphic description (waves, arc, rising line)
Term
Conjunct motion
Definition
Smooth, connected melody that moves principally by small intervals
Term
Disjunct motion
Definition
Disjointed or disconnected melody with many leaps
Term
Phrase
Definition
Significant portion of melody
Term
Cadence
Definition
Resting place in a musical phrase; music punctuation
Term
Countermelody
Definition
A melody that complements the main melody momentarily (it is NOT the main idea nor is it a background accompanying figure)
Term
Beat
Definition
Regular pulsation; basic unit of length
Term
Meter
Definition
Organization of rhythm in time; grouping of beats into larger, regular patterns
Term
Measure
Definition
Rhythmic group or metrical unit that contains a fixed number of beats
Term
Metrical patterns
Definition
Patterns of beats
Term
Duple, triple and quadruple meter
Definition
Pattern of 2, 3, or 4 beats to a measure
Term
Simple meter
Definition
Grouping of rhythms in which the beat is subdivided into two
Term
Compound meter
Definition
Meter in which each beat is subdivided into three rather than two
Term
Syncopation
Definition
Deliberate upsetting of the meter or pulse through a temporary shifting of the accent to a weak beat or an offbeat
Term
Harmony
Definition
The simultaneous combination of notes and the ensuring relationships of intervals and cords
Term
Chord
Definition
Simultaneous combination of three or more tones that constitute a single block of harmony
Term
Scale
Definition
Series of tones in ascending or descending order
Term
Triad
Definition
Common chord type consisting of three pitches built on alternate tones of the scale (steps 1-3-5)
Term
Tonic
Definition
First note of the scale
Term
Tonality
Definition
Principle of organization around a tonic, or home, pitch, based on a major or minor scale
Term
Major scale
Definition
Scale consisting of seven different tones that comprise a specific pattern of whole and half steps. Third degree raised half a step
Term
Minor scale
Definition
Scale consisting of seven different tones that comprise a specific pattern of whole and half steps. Third degree lowered half a step
Term
Diatonic
Definition
Melody using seven or eight notes
Term
Chromatic
Definition
Melody using all of the notes
Term
Dissonance
Definition
Combination of tones that sounds discordant and unstable, in need of resolution
Term
Consonance
Definition
Concordant or harmonious combination of tones that provides a sense of relaxation in music
Term
Monophony
Definition
Single voiced
Term
Contrapuntal devices
Definition
Texture employing counterpoint, or two or more melodic lines
Term
Imitation
Definition
Melodic idea presented in one voice and then restated in another, each part continuing as others enter
Term
Canon
Definition
Sing the same thing but enter at different points
Term
Round
Definition
Perceptual canon at the unison in which each voice enters in sucession with the same melody
Term
Retrograde inversion
Definition
Mirror image and backward statement of a melody
Term
Augmentation
Definition
Statement of a melody in longer note values, often twice as slow as the original
Term
Diminution
Definition
Statement of a melody in shorter note values, often twice as fast as the original
Term
Binary form
Definition
Two part form with each section normally repeated
Term
Call and Response
Definition
Performance styler with a singing leader who is imitated by a chorus of followers
Term
Responsorial
Definition
Singing in which a solist or group of soloists alternates with the choir
Term
Contrast
Definition
The new; relief from melodic idea
Term
Repetition
Definition
The familiar
Term
Variation
Definition
The compositional procedure of altering a pre-existing musical idea
Term
Improvisation
Definition
Creation of a musical composition while its being performed
Term
Theme
Definition
Melodic idea used as a basic building block in the construction of a composition
Term
Sequence
Definition
Restatement of an idea or motive at a different pitch level
Term
Motive
Definition
Short melodic or rhythmic idea; the smallest fragment of a theme that forms a melodic-harmonic-rythmic unit
Term
Ostinato
Definition
Repetitive idea that supports a melody
Term
Movement
Definition
Complete, self-contained part within a larger musical work
Term
Tempo
Definition
Rate of speed or pace of music
Term
Dynamics
Definition
Element of musical expression relating to the degree of loudness or softness, or volume, of a sound
Term
Timbre
Definition
The quality of a sound that distinguishes one voice or instrument from another
Term
Soprano
Definition
Highest range voice (women or boys)
Term
Alto
Definition
Lowest of the female voices
Term
Tenor
Definition
Male voice of high range
Term
Bass
Definition
Male voice of low range
Term
Woodwind
Definition
Wood or metal whose tone is produced by a column of air vibrating within a pipe that has holes
Term
Brass
Definition
Wind instrument with a cup-shaped mouthpiece, a tube that flares into a bell, and slides or valves to vary pitch
Term
Percussion
Definition
Instrument that is made to sound by striking, shaking, scraping, or plucking
Term
String
Definition
Bowed and plucked instruments whose sound is produced by the vibration of one or more strings
Term
Middle Ages
Definition
400-1450
Term
Renaissance Period
Definition
1450-1600
Term
Baroque Period
Definition
1600-1750
Term
Classical Period
Definition
1750-1825
Term
Romantic Period
Definition
1820-1900
Term
Post-Romantic/Impressionist Period
Definition
1890-1915
Term
Modern/Contemporary Period
Definition
1900-present
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