General elements Flashcards
(10 cards)
melody
Sequence – a repeated pattern at a higher or lower pitch
Imitation – one part copies another
Conjunct – smooth, stepwise movement
Disjunct – leaping between notes
Scalic – melody follows a scale
Arpeggio – notes of a chord played in sequence
Melissma - a group of notes sang on one word
Ornamentation – decorations like trills or grace notes
Tip: Look for whether the melody moves in steps or leaps, and whether patterns are repeated.
Harmony Flashcard
Diatonic – harmony based on major/minor scales
Chromatic – uses notes outside the key
Consonant – pleasant-sounding
Dissonant – clashing or tense
Pedal – a sustained or repeated note
Drone – a constant, sustained sound
Cadences:
Perfect (V–I) – sounds finished
Plagal (IV–I) – gentle finish (“Amen”)
Imperfect (I/II/IV–V) – sounds unfinished
Interrupted (V–VI) – surprise ending
Exam Tip: Always identify cadences carefully in listening questions!
Structure
Binary (AB) – two contrasting sections
Ternary (ABA) – return to the first section
Rondo (ABACA) – main theme keeps returning
Theme & Variations – one theme altered in different ways
Ground Bass – a repeating bass pattern
Sonata Form – Exposition, Development, Recapitulation
Spot It: Listen for repeated sections or how themes return/transform.
Texture
Monophonic – single melody line
Homophonic – melody with chords
Polyphonic – multiple independent melodies
Call and response
imitation
unison
Descriptors: Sparse, rich, thick, thin
Listen For: Are parts moving together, separately, or copying each other?
Tonality
Major – bright, happy
Minor – dark, sad
Modal – ancient/church-like sound
Atonal – no key, dissonant
Modulations:
To Dominant (V) – e.g. C → G
To Subdominant (IV) – e.g. C → F
To Relative Major/Minor – e.g. C major ↔ A minor
Exam Tip: Just because a piece is fast doesn’t mean it’s major!
Rhythm & Metre
Simple Time – beat divided into 2 (e.g. 2/4, 4/4)
Compound Time – beat divided into 3 (e.g. 6/8)
Regular – constant time signature
Irregular – time signature changes
Free Time – no strict beat
Rhythmic Devices:
Hemiola – temporary shift in pulse
Cross-rhythm – conflicting rhythms
Syncopation – off-beat emphasis
Back beat
ostinato
swung
Dotted Rhythms / Triplets
Remember: Metre = number of beats in a bar!
Tempo
Lento – very slow
Adagio – slow
Andante – walking pace
Moderato – moderate
Allegro – fast/lively
Presto – very fast
Other Terms:
Rubato – expressive tempo flexibility
Accelerando – getting faster
Ritardando/Rallentando – getting slower
Listen For: Changes in speed across a section
Dynamics
pp – very quiet
p – quiet
mp – moderately quiet
mf – moderately loud
f – loud
ff – very loud
Changes:
Crescendo – getting louder
Diminuendo – getting quieter
Tip: Dynamics = emotion. Use them in your own compositions!
Articulation
Staccato – short and detached
Legato – smooth and connected
Accent – emphasised note
Slur – smoothly joins notes together
Tenuto – hold the note for its full value
Listen For: Sharp or smooth playing? Are notes clipped or flowing?
Timbre
Pizzicato – plucked strings
Arco – bowed strings
Mute – dampens sound (brass/strings)
Pedals – sustain or soften piano notes
Vibrato - making the notes wabble when signing
Extended Techniques – e.g. slap bass, flutter tongue
Question Tip: Always say what causes the timbre change!
