Bolded terms from chapters 1 - 10 Flashcards
1
Q
Interval larger than that between two adjacent tones in the scale.
A
Leap
2
Q
Mezzo-soprano
A
Female voice of fairly low range, though not so low as alto.
3
Q
Adagio
A
Slow.
4
Q
Computer music
A
Composition including sounds generated and manipulated by computer.
5
Q
Quadruple meter
A
Pattern of 4 beats to the measure.
6
Q
Thin stick used by many conductors to beat time and indicate pulse and tempo.
A
Baton
7
Q
Widely used keyboard instrument of great range and versatility, whose sound is produced by felt-covered hammers striking against steel strings.
A
Piano
8
Q
Symbol which notates a pitch one half step higher than the pitch that would otherwise be indicated – for example, the next higher black key on the piano.
A
Sharp sign (symbol is ♯)
9
Q
Pattern of 3 beats to the measure.
A
Triple meter
10
Q
Treble clef
A
Notation on a staff to indicate relatively high pitch ranges, such as those played by a pianist’s right hand.
11
Q
Three-part form (A B A)
A
Form that can be represented as statement (A); contrast (B); return of statement (A).
12
Q
Percussion instrument of definite pitch, made up of flat metal bars set in a frame and played by striking with small metal hammers.
A
Glockenspiel
13
Q
Euphonium
A
Brass instrument similar in shape to the tuba and the baritone horn, with a higher range than the tuba’s, commonly used in bands.
14
Q
Leap
A
Interval larger than that between two adjacent tones in the scale.
15
Q
Characteristic way of using melody, rhythm, tone, color, dynamics, harmony, texture, and form in music.
A
Style
16
Q
Definite pitch percussion instrument
A
Produces a tone.
17
Q
Triad
A
Most basic of chords, consisting of three alternate tones of the scale, such as do, mi sol.
18
Q
Instruments whose sound is produced by two narrow pieces of cane held between the player’s lips; these pieces vibrate when the player blows between them.
A
Double-reed woodwinds
19
Q
Consonance
A
Tone combination that is stable and restful.
20
Q
Single-reed woodwind instrument with a beak-shaped mouthpiece, cylindrical in shape with a slightly flared bell.
A
Clarinet
21
Q
Moderately fast.
A
Allegretto
22
Q
Tambourine
A
Percussion instrument of indefinite pitch, consisting of a skin stretched across a shallow cylinder, with small circular plates set into the cylinder which jingle when the skin is struck or the cylinder is shaken.
23
Q
Dotted rhythm
A
Long-short rhythmic pattern in which a dotted note is followed by a note that is much shorter.
24
Q
Triplet
A
In notation of rhythm, three notes of equal duration grouped within a curved line with the numeral 3, lasting only as long as two notes of the same length would normally last.
25
Smallest woodwind instrument, having the highest range; a smaller version of the flute.
Piccolo
26
Produces a noiselike sound.
Indefinite pitch percussion instrument
27
Tenor
Male voice of high range.
28
Snare drum; Side drum
Percussion instrument of indefinite pitch, in the shape of a cylinder with a stretched skin at either end. A "snare" of gut or metal is stretched below the lower skin and produces a rattling sound when the drum is stuck.
29
Grave
Very slow, solemn.
30
In notation of rhythm, three notes of equal duration grouped within a curved line with the numeral 3, lasting only as long as two notes of the same length would normally last.
Triplet
31
Performance of a single melodic line by more than one instrument or voice at the same pitch or in different octaves.
Unison
32
Percussion instrument of definite pitch, consisting of flat wooden bars set in a frame and played by striking with hard plastic or wooden hammers.
Xylophone
33
Wavy line attached to the stem on a note, indicating how long that note is to be held relative to the notes around it.
Flag
34
Presentation of a melodic idea by one voice or instrument that is immediately followed by its restatement by another voice or instrument, as in a round.
Imitation
35
Melody that serves as the starting point for an extended piece of music.
Theme
36
Accenting of a note at an unexpected time, as between two beats or on a weak beat. Syncopation is a major characteristic of jazz.
Syncopation
37
Allegro
Fast.
38
Slightly curved stick strung tightly with horsehair, used to play string instruments.
Bow
39
Words, usually at the beginning of a piece of music and often in Italian, which specify the pace at which the music should be played.
Tempo indication
40
Variation
Changing some features of a musical idea while retaining others.
41
Monophonic texture
Single melodic line without accompaniment.
42
Composition including sounds generated and manipulated by computer.
Computer music
43
Moderately loud.
Mezzo forte; mf
44
Woodwind instrument, usually made of metal, with a high range, whose tone is produced by blowing across the edge of a mouth hole.
Flute
45
Note
In notation, a black or white oval to which a stem or flags can be added.
46
Percussion instrument of definite pitch, with suspended metal tubes that are struck with a hammer.
Chimes
47
Becoming slower.
Ritardando
48
Interval between two adjacent tones in the scale.
Step
49
Xylophone
Percussion instrument of definite pitch, consisting of flat wooden bars set in a frame and played by striking with hard plastic or wooden hammers.
50
Keyboard instrument
Instrument -- such as the piano, organ or harpsichord -- played by pressing a series of keys with the fingers.
51
Very soft.
Pianissimo; pp
52
Instrument whose sound is produced, modified, or amplified by electronic means.
Electronic instrument
53
Quintuple meter
Pattern of 5 beats to the measure.
54
String instrument with a lower range than the violin and a higher range than the cello.
Viola
55
Unaccented pulse preceding the downbeat.
Upbeat
56
Emphasis of a note, which may result from its being louder, longer, or higher in pitch than the notes near it.
Accent
57
First, or stressed, beat of a measure.
Downbeat
58
Bow
Slightly curved stick strung tightly with horsehair, used to play string instruments.
59
Measure
Rhythmic groups set off by bar lines, containing a fixed number of beats.
60
Half step
Smallest interval traditionally used in western music; for example, the interval between ti and do.
61
Major key
Music based on a major scale.
62
As fast as possible.
Prestissimo
63
Allegretto
Moderately fast.
64
Shift from one key to another within the same piece.
Modulation
65
Notation showing all the parts of a musical ensemble, with a separate staff for each part, and with simultaneously sounded notes aligned vertically; used by the conductor.
Score
66
Dynamics
Degree of loudness or softness in music.
67
Largo
Very slow, broad.
68
Saxophone
Family of single-reed woodwind instruments.
69
Flat sign (symbol is ♭)
Symbol which notates a pitch on half step lower than the pitch that would otherwise be indicated -- for example, the next lower key on the piano.
70
Changing some features of a musical idea while retaining others.
Variation
71
Cymbals
Percussion instrument of indefinite pitch, consisting of a pair of metal plates, played by striking the plates against each other.
72
Double-reed woodwinds
Instruments whose sound is produced by two narrow pieces of cane held between the player's lips; these pieces vibrate when the player blows between them.
73
Accelerando
Becoming faster.
74
"Distance" in pitch between any two tones.
Interval
75
Tonic key; Home key
Central key of a piece of music, usually both beginning and ending the piece, regardless of how many other keys are included.
76
Short, detached manner of performing a melody.
Staccato
77
Double bass; Bass
Largest string instrument, having the lowest range of the string family.
78
Slow.
Adagio
79
Crescendo (symbol is < )
Gradually louder.
80
Part of the total range of an instrument or voice. The tone color of the instrument or voice may vary with the register in which it is played or sung.
Register
81
Vertical line on a note indicating how long that note is to be held relative to the notes around it.
Stem
82
Regular, recurrent pulsation that divides music into equal units of time.
Beat
83
System of electronic components that can generate, modify, and control sound; used to compose music and to perform it.
Synthesizer
84
French horn; Horn
Brass instrument of medium range, whose tube is coiled into a roughly circular shape and fitted with valves, commonly used in symphony orchestras and in bands.
85
Triple meter
Pattern of 3 beats to the measure.
86
Brass instruments of moderately low range, whose tube is an elongated loop with a movable slide, commonly used in symphony orchestras, bands, and jazz ensembles.
Trombone
87
Highest tone or emotional focal point in a melody or a larger musical composition.
Climax
88
Bassoon
Double-reed woodwind instrument, made of wood, having a low range.
89
Presto
Very fast.
90
Tone combination that is stable and restful.
Consonance
91
Interval twice as large as the half step; for example, the interval between do and re.
Whole step
92
Whole step
Interval twice as large as the half step; for example, the interval between do and re.
93
Instrument consisting of a bellows between two keyboards (piano-like keys played by the right hand, and buttons played by the left hand) whose sound is produced by air pressure that causes free steel reeds to vibrate.
Accordion
94
Two numbers, one above the other, appearing at the beginning of a staff or the start of a piece, indicating the meter of the piece.
Time signature; meter signature
95
Sharp or flat signs immediately following the clef sign at the beginning of a piece of music, indicating the key in which the music is to be played.
Key signature
96
Pattern of 7 beats to the measure.
Septuple meter
97
In notation, a set of five horizontal lines between or on which notes are positioned.
Staff
98
Sound
Vibrations that are transmitted, usually through the air, to the eardrum, which sends impulses to the brain.
99
Scale including all twelve tones of the octave; each tone is a half step away from the next one.
Chromatic scale
100
English horn
Double-reed woodwind instrument, slightly larger than the oboe and with a lower range, straight in shape with an egg-shaped bell.
101
Striking differences of pitch, dynamics, rhythm, and tempo that provide variety and change of mood.
Contrast
102
Woodwind insturment
Instrument whose sound is produced by vibrations of air in a tube; holes along the length of tube are opened and closed by the fingers, or by pads, to control the pitch.
103
Upbeat
Unaccented pulse preceding the downbeat.
104
Largest brass instrument, with the lowest range, commonly used in symphony orchestras and bands.
Tuba
105
Small fluctuations of pitch that make the tone warmer, produced in string instruments by rocking the left hand while it presses the string down.
Vibrato
106
Pitch range
Distance between the highest and lowest tones that a given voice or instrument can produce.
107
Flag
Wavy line attached to the stem on a note, indicating how long that note is to be held relative to the notes around it.
108
Family of woodwind instruments whose sound is produced by blowing into a "whistle" mouthpiece, usually made of wood or plastic.
Recorder
109
Accent
Emphasis of a note, which may result from its being louder, longer, or higher in pitch than the notes near it.
110
Cello; Violoncello
String instrument with a range lower than that of the viola and higher than that of the double bass.
111
Symbol used in notation of pitch to cancel a previous sharp or flat sign.
Natural sign (symbol is ♮)
112
Recorder
Family of woodwind instruments whose sound is produced by blowing into a "whistle" mouthpiece, usually made of wood or plastic.
113
Number of layers of sound that are heard at once, what kinds of layers they are, and how they are related to each other.
Musical texture
114
Becoming faster.
Accelerando
115
Concertmaster
Principal first violinist in a symphony orchestra.
116
Small wedge of plastic, leather, or quill used to pluck the strings of certain instruments, such as the guitar, koto, and harpsichord.
Plectrum (plural form is plectra)
117
Chord
Combination of three or more tones sounded at once.
118
Viola
String instrument with a lower range than the violin and a higher range than the cello.
119
Male voice of high range.
Tenor
120
Baritone horn
Brass instrument similar in shape to the tuba, with a higher range, commonly used in bands.
121
Counterpoint
Technique of combining two or more melodic lines into a meaningful whole.
122
Minor key
Music based on a minor scale.
123
Dissonance
Tone combination that is unstable and tense.
124
Vibrations that are transmitted, usually through the air, to the eardrum, which sends impulses to the brain.
Sound
125
Instruments whose sound is produced by a single piece of cane, or reed, fastened over a hole in the mouthpiece. The reed vibrates when the player blows into the mouthpiece.
Single-reed woodwinds
126
Music based on a minor scale.
Minor key
127
Female voice of high range.
Soprano
128
Glockenspiel
Percussion instrument of definite pitch, made up of flat metal bars set in a frame and played by striking with small metal hammers.
129
Style
Characteristic way of using melody, rhythm, tone, color, dynamics, harmony, texture, and form in music.
130
Complete cadence
Definite resting place, giving a sense of finality, at the end of a phrase in a melody.
131
Staccato
Short, detached manner of performing a melody.
132
Key; tonality
Central note, scale, and chord within a piece, in relationship to which all other tones in the composition are heard.
133
Percussion instrument of indefinite pitch, consisting of a triangular length of metal suspended from a hook or cord, played by striking with a metal rod.
Triangle
134
Vivace
Lively.
135
Incomplete cadence
Inconclusive resting point at the end of a phrase, which sets up expectations for the following phrase.
136
Very slow, solemn.
Grave
137
Fast.
Allegro
138
Combination of three or more tones sounded at once.
Chord
139
Combination of the treble and bass staves, used in keyboard music to encompass the wide range of pitches produced by both hands.
Grand staff
140
Organization of musical ideas in time.
Form
141
Ordered flow of music through time; the pattern of durations of notes and silences in music.
Rhythm
142
Melody that serves as the starting point for an extended piece of music.
Theme
143
Leader of a performing group of musicians.
Conductor
144
Brass instrument of medium range, whose tube is coiled into a roughly circular shape and fitted with valves, commonly used in symphony orchestras and in bands.
French horn; Horn
145
System of writing down music so that specific pitches and rhythms can be communicated.
Notation
146
Keyboard instrument, widely used from about 1500 to 1775, whose sound is produced by plectra that pluck its wire strings. The harpsichord was revived during the 20th century.
Harpsichord
147
Tone combination that is unstable and tense.
Dissonance
148
Plectrum (plural form is plectra)
Small wedge of plastic, leather, or quill used to pluck the strings of certain instruments, such as the guitar, koto, and harpsichord.
149
Computer
Tool used to synthesize music, to help composers write scores, to store samples of audio signals, and to control synthesizing mechanisms.
150
Tie
In notation of rhythm, an arc between two notes of the same pitch indicating that the second note should not be played but should be added to the duration of the first.
151
Lively.
Vivace
152
Imitation
Presentation of a melodic idea by one voice or instrument that is immediately followed by its restatement by another voice or instrument, as in a round.
153
Interval
"Distance" in pitch between any two tones.
154
Very slow, broad.
Largo
155
Percussion instrument of definite pitch, with metal bars that are struck by hammers controlled by a keyboard.
Celesta
156
Symbol on the staff indicating relatively low pitch ranges, such as those played by a pianist's left hand.
Bass clef
157
Smooth, connected manner of performing a melody.
Legato
158
Male voice range lower than a tenor and higher than a bass.
Baritone
159
Notation
System of writing down music so that specific pitches and rhythms can be communicated.
160
Range
Same as "pitch range."
161
Degree of loudness or softness in music.
Dynamics
162
Brass instrument similar in shape to the tuba, with a higher range, commonly used in bands.
Baritone horn
163
Rhythmic groups set off by bar lines, containing a fixed number of beats.
Measure
164
Instrument -- such as the piano, organ or harpsichord -- played by pressing a series of keys with the fingers.
Keyboard instrument
165
Sounding of the individual tones of a chord in sequence rather than simultaneously.
Broken chord; arpeggio
166
Interval between two tones in which the higher tone has twice the frequency of the lower tone.
Octave
167
Central key of a piece of music, usually both beginning and ending the piece, regardless of how many other keys are included.
Tonic key; Home key
168
Step
Interval between two adjacent tones in the scale.
169
Organ; Pipe organ
Keyboard instrument with many sets of pipes controlled from two or more keyboards including a pedal keyboard played by the organist's feet. The keys control valves from which air is blown across or through openings in the pipes. (The electric organ is an electronic instrument that is sometimes designed to imitate the sound of a pipe organ.)
170
Series of seven tones within an octave, with an eighth repeating the first tone and octave higher, composed of a specific pattern of whole and half steps; the half step between the second and third tones is characteristic.
Minor scale
171
Flute
Woodwind instrument, usually made of metal, with a high range, whose tone is produced by blowing across the edge of a mouth hole.
172
Part of a melody.
Phrase
173
Gong; Tam-tam
Percussion instrument of indefinite pitch, made up of a large flat metal plate that is suspended and struck with a mallet.
174
Tempo
Basic pace of the music.
175
Instrument whose sound is produced by vibrations of air in a tube; holes along the length of tube are opened and closed by the fingers, or by pads, to control the pitch.
Woodwind insturment
176
Apparatus that produces ticking sounds or flashes of light at any desired constant speed.
Metronome
177
Female voice of fairly low range, though not so low as alto.
Mezzo-soprano
178
Moderately soft.
Mezzo piano; mp
179
Studio with tape recorders and other equipment used to create electronic music by modifying and combining recorded sounds.
Tape studio
180
Double-reed woodwind instrument, made of wood, having a low range.
Bassoon
181
Basic pace of the music.
Tempo
182
In notation of rhythm, an arc between two notes of the same pitch indicating that the second note should not be played but should be added to the duration of the first.
Tie
183
Prestissimo
As fast as possible.
184
Pattern of 4 beats to the measure.
Quadruple meter
185
Bass clef
Symbol on the staff indicating relatively low pitch ranges, such as those played by a pianist's left hand.
186
Mute
Device used to veil or muffle the tone of an instrument. For string instruments, the mute is a clamp that fits onto the bridge; for brass instruments, it is a funnel-shaped piece of wood, metal, or plastic that fits into the bell.
187
Member of the clarinet family, having a low range. Its shape is curved at the end before flaring into a bell.
Bass Clarinet
188
Indefinite pitch percussion instrument
Produces a noiselike sound.
189
Guitar
Plucked string instrument with six strings stretched along a fretted fingerboard.
190
Ritardando
Becoming slower.
191
Stem
Vertical line on a note indicating how long that note is to be held relative to the notes around it.
192
Notation on a staff to indicate relatively high pitch ranges, such as those played by a pianist's right hand.
Treble clef
193
Sharp sign (symbol is ♯)
Symbol which notates a pitch one half step higher than the pitch that would otherwise be indicated -- for example, the next higher black key on the piano.
194
Contrabassoon
Double-reed woodwind instrument with a register one octave lower than that of the bassoon.
195
Timpani; Kettledrums
Percussion instruments of definite pitch, shaped like large kettles with calfskin or plastic stretched across the tops, played with soft padded mallets.
196
Dominant chord
Triad built on the fifth note of the scale, which sets up tension that is resolved by the tonic chord.
197
Major scale
Series of seven different tones within an octave, with an eighth tone repeating the first tone an octave higher, consisting of a specific pattern of whole and half steps; the whole step between the second and third tones is characteristic.
198
Double-reed woodwind instrument with a register one octave lower than that of the bassoon.
Contrabassoon
199
Staff
In notation, a set of five horizontal lines between or on which notes are positioned.
200
Modulation
Shift from one key to another within the same piece.
201
Homophonic texture
Term describing music in which one main melody is accompanied by chords.
202
Polyphonic texture
Performance of two or more melodic lines of relatively equal interest at the same time.
203
String instrument
Instrument whose sound is produced by the vibration of strings.
204
Pattern of 2 beats to the measure.
Duple meter
205
Meter
Organization of beats into regular groups.
206
Means of playing a string instrument by which the strings are plucked, usually with a finger of the right hand.
Pizzicato
207
Theme
Melody that serves as the starting point for an extended piece of music.
208
Progression form a dissonance to a consonance.
Resolution
209
Tremolo
Rapid repetition of a tone, produced in string instruments by quick up-and-down strokes of the bow.
210
Pitch
Relative highness or lowness of a sound.
211
Stop (double, triple, quadruple)
Means of playing a string instrument by which the bow is drawn across two, three, or four strings at the same time or almost the same time.
212
Definite resting place, giving a sense of finality, at the end of a phrase in a melody.
Complete cadence
213
Triad built on the fifth note of the scale, which sets up tension that is resolved by the tonic chord.
Dominant chord
214
Most basic of chords, consisting of three alternate tones of the scale, such as do, mi sol.
Triad
215
Clef
Symbol placed at the beginning of the staff to show the exact pitch of notes placed on each line and space.
216
Form that can be represented as a statement (A) and counterstatement (B).
Two-part form; Binary form (A B)
217
Violin
String instrument with the highest range of the string family.
218
String instrument with a range lower than that of the viola and higher than that of the double bass.
Cello; Violoncello
219
Keyboard instrument with many sets of pipes controlled from two or more keyboards including a pedal keyboard played by the organist's feet. The keys control valves from which air is blown across or through openings in the pipes. (The electric organ is an electronic instrument that is sometimes designed to imitate the sound of a pipe organ.)
Organ; Pipe organ
220
Means of playing a string instrument by which the bow is drawn across two, three, or four strings at the same time or almost the same time.
Stop (double, triple, quadruple)
221
Smallest interval traditionally used in western music; for example, the interval between ti and do.
Half step
222
Moderato
Moderate.
223
Very loud.
Fortissimo; ff
224
Tone color; Timbre
Quality of sound that distinguishes one instrument or voice from another.
225
Pizzicato
Means of playing a string instrument by which the strings are plucked, usually with a finger of the right hand.
226
Principal first violinist in a symphony orchestra.
Concertmaster
227
Musical texture
Number of layers of sound that are heard at once, what kinds of layers they are, and how they are related to each other.
228
Reiteration of a motive, phrase, or section, often used to create a sense of unity.
Repetition
229
Performance of two or more melodic lines of relatively equal interest at the same time.
Polyphonic texture
230
Central tone of a melody or larger piece of music. When a piece is in the key of C major, for example, C is the keynote.
Keynote; tonic
231
Mezzo piano; mp
Moderately soft.
232
Theme
Melody that serves as the starting point for an extended piece of music.
233
Loud.
Forte; f
234
Cornet
Brass instrument similar in shape to the trumpet, with a mellower tone.
235
Sound that has a definite pitch, or frequency.
Tone
236
Unison
Performance of a single melodic line by more than one instrument or voice at the same pitch or in different octaves.
237
Rapid repetition of a tone, produced in string instruments by quick up-and-down strokes of the bow.
Tremolo
238
Alto; Contralto
Female voice of low range.
239
Produces a tone.
Definite pitch percussion instrument
240
Percussion instruments of definite pitch, shaped like large kettles with calfskin or plastic stretched across the tops, played with soft padded mallets.
Timpani; Kettledrums
241
Downbeat
First, or stressed, beat of a measure.
242
Dotted note
Note with a dot to the right of it. This dot increases the note's undotted duration by half.
243
Percussion instrument of indefinite pitch, the largest of the orchestral drums.
Bass drum
244
Form
Organization of musical ideas in time.
245
(1) Resting place at the end of a phrase in a melody. (2) Progression giving a sense of conclusion, often from the dominant chord to the tonic chord.
Cadence
246
Single melodic line without accompaniment.
Monophonic texture
247
Score
Notation showing all the parts of a musical ensemble, with a separate staff for each part, and with simultaneously sounded notes aligned vertically; used by the conductor.
248
Cadence
(1) Resting place at the end of a phrase in a melody. (2) Progression giving a sense of conclusion, often from the dominant chord to the tonic chord.
249
Baton
Thin stick used by many conductors to beat time and indicate pulse and tempo.
250
Decrescendo; Diminuendo (symbol is > )
Gradually softer.
251
Distance between the highest and lowest tones that a given voice or instrument can produce.
Pitch range
252
Series of seven different tones within an octave, with an eighth tone repeating the first tone an octave higher, consisting of a specific pattern of whole and half steps; the whole step between the second and third tones is characteristic.
Major scale
253
Fortissimo; ff
Very loud.
254
Piano
Widely used keyboard instrument of great range and versatility, whose sound is produced by felt-covered hammers striking against steel strings.
255
Accordion
Instrument consisting of a bellows between two keyboards (piano-like keys played by the right hand, and buttons played by the left hand) whose sound is produced by air pressure that causes free steel reeds to vibrate.
256
Instrument whose sound is produced by the vibration of strings.
String instrument
257
Piccolo
Smallest woodwind instrument, having the highest range; a smaller version of the flute.
258
Moderately slow, a walking pace.
Andante
259
Tone
Sound that has a definite pitch, or frequency.
260
Instrument of definite or indefinite pitch whose sound is produced by striking by hand, or with a stick or hammer, or by shaking or rubbing.
Percussion instrument
261
Climax
Highest tone or emotional focal point in a melody or a larger musical composition.
262
Time signature; meter signature
Two numbers, one above the other, appearing at the beginning of a staff or the start of a piece, indicating the meter of the piece.
263
Central note, scale, and chord within a piece, in relationship to which all other tones in the composition are heard.
Key; tonality
264
Symbol which notates a pitch on half step lower than the pitch that would otherwise be indicated -- for example, the next lower key on the piano.
Flat sign (symbol is ♭)
265
Reed
Very thin piece of cane, used in woodwind instruments to produce sound as it is set into vibration by a stream of air.
266
Relative highness or lowness of a sound.
Pitch
267
Forte; f
Loud.
268
Bass drum
Percussion instrument of indefinite pitch, the largest of the orchestral drums.
269
Female voice of low range.
Alto; Contralto
270
Two-part form; Binary form (A B)
Form that can be represented as a statement (A) and counterstatement (B).
271
Synthesizer
System of electronic components that can generate, modify, and control sound; used to compose music and to perform it.
272
Double-reed woodwind instrument with a relatively high range, conical in shape with a small flared bell.
Oboe
273
Beam
Horizontal line connecting the flags of several eighth notes or sixteenth notes in succession, to facilitate reading these notes.
274
Instrument, made of brass or silver, whose sound is produced by the vibrations of the player's lips as he or she blows into a cup- or funnel-shaped mouthpiece. The vibrations are amplified and colored in a tube that is flared at the end.
Brass instrument
275
Percussion instrument
Instrument of definite or indefinite pitch whose sound is produced by striking by hand, or with a stick or hammer, or by shaking or rubbing.
276
Register
Part of the total range of an instrument or voice. The tone color of the instrument or voice may vary with the register in which it is played or sung.
277
Percussion instrument of indefinite pitch, in the shape of a cylinder with a stretched skin at either end. A "snare" of gut or metal is stretched below the lower skin and produces a rattling sound when the drum is stuck.
Snare drum; Side drum
278
Tempo indication
Words, usually at the beginning of a piece of music and often in Italian, which specify the pace at which the music should be played.
279
Percussion instrument of indefinite pitch, consisting of a pair of metal plates, played by striking the plates against each other.
Cymbals
280
Septuple meter
Pattern of 7 beats to the measure.
281
Legato
Smooth, connected manner of performing a melody.
282
Gradually louder.
Crescendo (symbol is < )
283
Bass
Male voice of low range.
284
Quality of sound that distinguishes one instrument or voice from another.
Tone color; Timbre
285
Chromatic scale
Scale including all twelve tones of the octave; each tone is a half step away from the next one.
286
Harmony
How chords are constructed and how they follow each other.
287
In a melody, the immediate repetition of a melodic pattern on a higher or lower pitch.
Sequence
288
Contrast
Striking differences of pitch, dynamics, rhythm, and tempo that provide variety and change of mood.
289
Progression
Series of chords.
290
Pianissimo; pp
Very soft.
291
Keynote; tonic
Central tone of a melody or larger piece of music. When a piece is in the key of C major, for example, C is the keynote.
292
How chords are constructed and how they follow each other.
Harmony
293
Minor scale
Series of seven tones within an octave, with an eighth repeating the first tone and octave higher, composed of a specific pattern of whole and half steps; the half step between the second and third tones is characteristic.
294
Brass instrument similar in shape to the tuba and the baritone horn, with a higher range than the tuba's, commonly used in bands.
Euphonium
295
Phrase
Part of a melody.
296
Key signature
Sharp or flat signs immediately following the clef sign at the beginning of a piece of music, indicating the key in which the music is to be played.
297
Vibrato
Small fluctuations of pitch that make the tone warmer, produced in string instruments by rocking the left hand while it presses the string down.
298
Conductor
Leader of a performing group of musicians.
299
Horizontal line connecting the flags of several eighth notes or sixteenth notes in succession, to facilitate reading these notes.
Beam
300
Electronic instrument
Instrument whose sound is produced, modified, or amplified by electronic means.
301
Bass Clarinet
Member of the clarinet family, having a low range. Its shape is curved at the end before flaring into a bell.
302
Triangle
Percussion instrument of indefinite pitch, consisting of a triangular length of metal suspended from a hook or cord, played by striking with a metal rod.
303
Note with a dot to the right of it. This dot increases the note's undotted duration by half.
Dotted note
304
Plucked string instrument with six strings stretched along a fretted fingerboard.
Guitar
305
Very high-pitched whistle-like tones, produced in bowed string instruments by lightly touching the string at certain points while bowing.
Harmonics
306
Harp
Plucked string instrument, consisting of strings stretched within a triangular frame.
307
Scale
Series of pitches arranged in order from low to high or high to low.
308
Tool used to synthesize music, to help composers write scores, to store samples of audio signals, and to control synthesizing mechanisms.
Computer
309
Inconclusive resting point at the end of a phrase, which sets up expectations for the following phrase.
Incomplete cadence
310
Percussion instrument of indefinite pitch, made up of a large flat metal plate that is suspended and struck with a mallet.
Gong; Tam-tam
311
Pattern of 5 beats to the measure.
Quintuple meter
312
Harmonics
Very high-pitched whistle-like tones, produced in bowed string instruments by lightly touching the string at certain points while bowing.
313
Soprano
Female voice of high range.
314
In notation, a black or white oval to which a stem or flags can be added.
Note
315
Gradually softer.
Decrescendo; Diminuendo (symbol is > )
316
Trombone
Brass instruments of moderately low range, whose tube is an elongated loop with a movable slide, commonly used in symphony orchestras, bands, and jazz ensembles.
317
String instrument with the highest range of the string family.
Violin
318
Broken chord; arpeggio
Sounding of the individual tones of a chord in sequence rather than simultaneously.
319
Brass instrument
Instrument, made of brass or silver, whose sound is produced by the vibrations of the player's lips as he or she blows into a cup- or funnel-shaped mouthpiece. The vibrations are amplified and colored in a tube that is flared at the end.
320
Tape studio
Studio with tape recorders and other equipment used to create electronic music by modifying and combining recorded sounds.
321
Trumpet
Brass instruments with the highest range, commonly used in symphony orchestras, bands, and jazz and rock groups.
322
Double-reed woodwind instrument, slightly larger than the oboe and with a lower range, straight in shape with an egg-shaped bell.
English horn
323
Plucked string instrument, consisting of strings stretched within a triangular frame.
Harp
324
Natural sign (symbol is ♮)
Symbol used in notation of pitch to cancel a previous sharp or flat sign.
325
Family of single-reed woodwind instruments.
Saxophone
326
Music based on a major scale.
Major key
327
Series of chords.
Progression
328
Rhythm
Ordered flow of music through time; the pattern of durations of notes and silences in music.
329
Largest string instrument, having the lowest range of the string family.
Double bass; Bass
330
Piano; p
Soft.
331
Brass instrument similar in shape to the trumpet, with a mellower tone.
Cornet
332
Triad built on the first, or tonic, note of the scale, serving as the main chord of a piece and usually beginning and ending it.
Tonic chord
333
Very thin piece of cane, used in woodwind instruments to produce sound as it is set into vibration by a stream of air.
Reed
334
Term describing music in which one main melody is accompanied by chords.
Homophonic texture
335
Device used to veil or muffle the tone of an instrument. For string instruments, the mute is a clamp that fits onto the bridge; for brass instruments, it is a funnel-shaped piece of wood, metal, or plastic that fits into the bell.
Mute
336
Mezzo forte; mf
Moderately loud.
337
Symbol placed at the beginning of the staff to show the exact pitch of notes placed on each line and space.
Clef
338
Andante
Moderately slow, a walking pace.
339
Oboe
Double-reed woodwind instrument with a relatively high range, conical in shape with a small flared bell.
340
Sextuple meter
Pattern of 6 beats to the measure.
341
Percussion instrument of indefinite pitch, consisting of a skin stretched across a shallow cylinder, with small circular plates set into the cylinder which jingle when the skin is struck or the cylinder is shaken.
Tambourine
342
Celesta
Percussion instrument of definite pitch, with metal bars that are struck by hammers controlled by a keyboard.
343
Clarinet
Single-reed woodwind instrument with a beak-shaped mouthpiece, cylindrical in shape with a slightly flared bell.
344
Beat
Regular, recurrent pulsation that divides music into equal units of time.
345
Repetition
Reiteration of a motive, phrase, or section, often used to create a sense of unity.
346
Grand staff
Combination of the treble and bass staves, used in keyboard music to encompass the wide range of pitches produced by both hands.
347
Metronome
Apparatus that produces ticking sounds or flashes of light at any desired constant speed.
348
Moderate.
Moderato
349
Series of pitches arranged in order from low to high or high to low.
Scale
350
Baritone
Male voice range lower than a tenor and higher than a bass.
351
Syncopation
Accenting of a note at an unexpected time, as between two beats or on a weak beat. Syncopation is a major characteristic of jazz.
352
Male voice of low range.
Bass
353
Pattern of 6 beats to the measure.
Sextuple meter
354
Improvisation
Creation of music at the same time as it is performed.
355
Single-reed woodwinds
Instruments whose sound is produced by a single piece of cane, or reed, fastened over a hole in the mouthpiece. The reed vibrates when the player blows into the mouthpiece.
356
Octave
Interval between two tones in which the higher tone has twice the frequency of the lower tone.
357
Creation of music at the same time as it is performed.
Improvisation
358
Brass instruments with the highest range, commonly used in symphony orchestras, bands, and jazz and rock groups.
Trumpet
359
In notation of rhythm, a symbol to indicate the duration of silence in the music.
Rest
360
Tuba
Largest brass instrument, with the lowest range, commonly used in symphony orchestras and bands.
361
Soft.
Piano; p
362
Harpsichord
Keyboard instrument, widely used from about 1500 to 1775, whose sound is produced by plectra that pluck its wire strings. The harpsichord was revived during the 20th century.
363
Sequence
In a melody, the immediate repetition of a melodic pattern on a higher or lower pitch.
364
Duple meter
Pattern of 2 beats to the measure.
365
Same as "pitch range."
Range
366
Organization of beats into regular groups.
Meter
367
Form that can be represented as statement (A); contrast (B); return of statement (A).
Three-part form (A B A)
368
Technique of combining two or more melodic lines into a meaningful whole.
Counterpoint
369
Chimes
Percussion instrument of definite pitch, with suspended metal tubes that are struck with a hammer.
370
Tonic chord
Triad built on the first, or tonic, note of the scale, serving as the main chord of a piece and usually beginning and ending it.
371
Long-short rhythmic pattern in which a dotted note is followed by a note that is much shorter.
Dotted rhythm
372
Very fast.
Presto
373
Resolution
Progression form a dissonance to a consonance.
374
Rest
In notation of rhythm, a symbol to indicate the duration of silence in the music.
