meter

organization of rhythm in time; grouping of beats into larger, regular patterns

harmony

simultaneous sounding of notes to form chords and the progression from one chord to the next

cadence

resting place in a musical phrase (musical punctuation)

conjunct motion

smooth, connected melody that moves by small intervals

countermelody

accompanying melody sounded against the principal melody

beat

basic unit of length in musical time

disjunct motion

broken melody that moves by large intervals

syncopation

deliberate upsetting of the normal pattern of accentuation

range

distance between lowest and highest tones of a melody, an instrument, or a voice

tonic

home base around which the other notes gravitate

diatonic

melody or harmony built from the seven tones of a major or minor scale; encompasses patterns of seven whole and semi tones

phrase

musical unit, often a component of a melody

timbre

particular sound of a musical instrument or voice

tonality

principal organization around a central tone

frequency

rate of vibration of a string or column of air which determines pitch

measure

rhythmic group of metrical units that contains a fixed number of beats

motive

short melodic idea, the smallest fragment of a theme

ostinato

short musical pattern that is repeated throughout a work

melody

succession of single tones or pitches perceived by the mind as unity