KEY TERMS!!!!! Flashcards
(24 cards)
What is ornamentation in music?
Decoration in music (extra notes)
Ornamentation adds embellishments to the melody.
Define trill.
Form of ornamentation. Alternating between two notes beside each other. (A tone or semitone apart)
Trills create a rapid alternation that enhances musical expression.
What is tremolo?
Sounds like a shake on a note. Often used on string instruments. Can be a fast alternation between two notes not necessarily beside each other
Tremolo adds a sense of urgency or intensity to the music.
What does a tie do in musical notation?
First note is played and held for the value of the tied notes
Ties extend the duration of a note by connecting it to the following note.
Define slur.
Notes are played smoothly together
Slurs indicate that the notes should be connected without breaks.
What is a triplet?
Three notes played in the time of two
Triplets create a rhythmic variation within the music.
What does imitation mean in music?
Where one melody line copies another. Can often be between instruments or voices
Imitation creates a dialogue between musical lines.
Define ostinato.
A repeated bass line. (Can be rhythmic or melodic)
Ostinatos provide a foundation for musical development.
What is an arpeggio?
Like a broken chord. A triad is played one note after the other instead of together
Arpeggios create a flowing sound in the music.
What are broken chords?
A triad is played one note after the other instead of together
Broken chords emphasize individual notes within a chord.
Define scales in music.
Step movement. This can be ascending (going up) or descending (going down)
Scales are foundational for melody and harmony.
What does pizzicato mean?
Plucked strings
Pizzicato creates a distinct sound separate from bowing.
What is arco?
String instruments played with the bow
Arco is in contrast to pizzicato, involving the use of a bow.
Define staccato.
Notes are hopped
Staccato gives a sharp, detached quality to the music.
What does legato mean?
Notes are played smoothly
Legato is the opposite of staccato, creating a connected sound.
Define counter melody.
A second melody played against the main melody
Counter melodies enrich the texture of the music.
What is a drone in music?
One long sustained (held) note
Drones provide a harmonic foundation for melodies.
Define syncopation.
Emphasis on the weaker beat of the bar
Syncopation creates rhythmic interest and surprise.
What is an upbeat?
(Anacrusis) Taking a beat/beats from the last bar and putting it at the start
Upbeats help to create a sense of forward motion.
Define modal composition.
Composing using a certain set of notes. (not major or minor)
Modal compositions explore different tonalities beyond traditional major and minor scales.
What is the range in music?
Distance between the highest and lowest note
Range is crucial for understanding the capabilities of an instrument or voice.
Define sequence in music.
Repeating the same melody at a higher or lower pitch
Sequences create variation and development within a piece.
What is syllabic writing?
One musical note per syllable
Syllabic writing is common in many vocal traditions.
Define melismatic writing.
More than one musical note per syllable
Melismatic writing allows for expressive vocal lines.
