Definitions Flashcards
flute
the oldest form of instrument; makes sound through vibration of air in the instrument
Reed instrument
instruments that produce sound through the vibration of a reed
EX of Reed instrument
clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone
Liturgy
a series of set services based on a calendar year
Middle Ages
the period of history between the falling of the Roman empire and the Renaissance
Choirboy
a young male member of the choir; highly valued for their natural, unchanged boy-soprano voices
a capella
unaccompanied music; music without instruments
Melisma
the singing of a single syllable of text while moving between several notes in succession
paraphrase
smoothing and improving music
madrigal
a short secular composition containing many expressive elements. Often set to a short love poem, emphasis was on expressing words
functional harmony
a tool in music that uses chord progression to give music a sense of direction
rubato
the artistic departure from strict tempo to allow an expressive quickening or slowing
motif
a short repeated melody or musical figure. Often tied to a specific concept or idea
concerto
an instrumental genre using an orchestra alongside a featured soloist
cadenza
an extremly showy section of solo work. Often improvised, they are often used as a finale to a musical piece or movement
