Musical elements Flashcards

1
Q

What word describes a musically satisfying sequence of notes combining both pitch and rhythm - the principal part in a harmonic composition - “horizontal” aspect of music

A

Melody

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2
Q

Describe the term - Melody

A

A musically satisfying sequence of notes combining pitch and rhythm - the principal part in a harmonic composition - “horizontal”aspect of music

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3
Q

Describe - Harmony

A

A pleasing combination of chords or pitches - the “vertical” aspect of music - usually has cadences

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4
Q

What word describes - A pleasing combination of chords or pitches - the “vertical” aspect of music

A

Harmony

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5
Q

Describe the term - Tonality

A

How the character of a piece of music is related to its key centre

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6
Q

What term describes - How the character of a piece of music is related to its key centre

A

Tonality

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7
Q

Describe the term - Structure

A

How different sections of music are combined to create a piece or song - different structures were and still are used to write different styles of music eg binary used during Baroque or Sonata used during Classical period

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8
Q

What is the term used to describe- How different sections of music are combined to create a piece or song - eg Sonata used during Classical period

A

Structure

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9
Q

Describe the term- Dynamics

A

The variation of volume within a piece eg - pp (meaning very quiet)

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10
Q

What term is used to describe - The variation of volume within a piece eg - pp (meaning very quiet)

A

Dynamics

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11
Q

What does the term - Sonority mean

A

The quality of having a deep and pleasant sound

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12
Q

What term describes - The quality of having a deep and pleasant sound

A

Sonority

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13
Q

Describe the term - Texture

A

How layers of sound within a piece of music interact e.g. monophonic, homophonic, etc.

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14
Q

What term describes - How layers of sound within a piece of music interact e.g. monophonic, homophonic, etc.

A

Texture

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15
Q

Describe the term - Tempo

A

The underlying beat of the music giving the speed of the piece

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16
Q

What term describes - The underlying beat of the music giving the speed of the piece

A

Tempo

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17
Q

Describe the term - Rhythm

A

The organisation of particular notes by their length/duration

18
Q

What term describes - The organisation of particular notes by their length/duration

A

Rhythm

19
Q

Describe the term - Metre

A

The organisation of rhythms into certain patterns

20
Q

What terms describes - The organisation of rhythms into certain patterns

A

Metre

21
Q

Describe the term - Augmentation

A

Where a melody is presented in longer note values than were previously used - the opposite of diminution

22
Q

What term describes - Where a melody is presented in longer note values than were previously used

A

Augmentation

23
Q

Describe the term - Diminution

A

The shortening of the note values in a melodic piece - the opposite of augmentation

24
Q

What term describes - The shortening of the note values in a melodic piece

A

Diminution

25
Q

Describe the term - A Capella

A

Vocal music or singing without music instrumental accompaniment

26
Q

What term describes - Vocal music or singing without music instrumental accompaniment

A

A Capella

27
Q

Describe the term - Rubato

A

The temporary slight speeding up or slowing down of the tempo of a piece at the discretion of the soloist or conductor - usually without altering the overall pace

28
Q

What term describes - The temporary slight speeding up or slowing down of the tempo of a piece at the discretion of the soloist or conductor - usually without altering the overall pace

A

Rubato

29
Q

Describe the term - Imitative

A

The repetition of a melody in a slightly different form but retaining the original character or appearance

30
Q

What term describes - The repetition of a melody in a slightly different form but retaining the original character or appearance

A

Imitative

31
Q

Describe the term - Contrapuntal

A

Two or more relatively independent melodies played together

32
Q

What term describes - Two or more relatively independent melodies played together

A

Contrapuntal

33
Q

Describe the term - Hemiola

A

Where two groups of 3 beats are replaced by three groups of 2 beats - gives impression of shift between triple and duple metre

34
Q

What term describes - Where two groups of 3 beats are replaced by three groups of 2 beats - gives impression of shift between triple and duple metre

A

Hemiola

35
Q

Describe an orchestra

A

A group of instrumentalists combining strings, woodwind, brass and percussion - often playing classical music

36
Q

What word describes - A group of instrumentalists combining strings, woodwind, brass and percussion - often playing classical music

A

Orchestra

37
Q

Describe a pedal

A

A foot-operated lever used to play or modify the sound of the instrument being played

38
Q

What word describes - A foot-operated lever used to play or modify the sound of the instrument being played

A

Pedal

39
Q

What is syncopation?

A

Where notes are played against the beat - takes you by surprise - often uses ties - used in Jazz / Swing pieces

40
Q

What is the term used to describe notes played against the beat?

A

Syncopation

41
Q

What is a riff?

A

A collection of notes which are repeated e.g. beginning of Thunderstruck

42
Q

What is the beginning of Thunderstruck an example of?

A

A riff