Melodic Composition

Question 1

Anacrusis

Answer 1

Note before the first measure

Question 2

Stepwise motion is also called:

Answer 2

Conjunct

Question 3

Skipwise motion is also called:

Answer 3

Disjunct

Question 4

Period

Answer 4

A unit of melody with two balanced phrases

Question 5

Parallel Period

Answer 5

When the two phrases making up the period begin identically

Question 6

Contrasting Period

Answer 6

When the two phrases are different from each other

Question 7

Repeated parallel period

Answer 7

Literally a parallel period is repeated again (so 4 phrases)

Question 8

Motive or motif

Answer 8

A short group of notes that is repeated throughout the melody

Question 9

Musical Theme

Answer 9

A complete melodic phrase anywhere from two to eight measures

Question 10

Fragmentation

Answer 10

When a portion of a motive or a larger musical idea is used, often repeated or varied

Question 11

Melodic sequence

Answer 11

Phrase is repeated on a different note

Question 12

Melodic Inversion

Answer 12

Melody repeated upside down

Question 13

Mirror Inversion

Answer 13

When the inverted intervals are exact

Ex. Up a major third inverts to down a major third

Question 14

Retrograde

Answer 14

The melody is played backwards

Question 15

Retrograde Inversion

Answer 15

Melody is backwards and inverted

Question 16

Modulation

Answer 16

The process of changing one key to another

Question 17

Ornamentation or Embellishment

Answer 17

Adding to the melody with passing tones, neighboring tones, or suspensions

Question 18

Mode mixture

Answer 18

Combining different types of chords

Question 19

Modal borrowing

Answer 19

Borrowing chords from a different parallel major or minor

Question 20

Augmentation

Answer 20

Same pitches, longer rhythms

Question 21

Diminution

Answer 21

Same pitches, shorter rhythms

Question 22

Rhythmic Displacement

Answer 22

Same rhythms, starting on different beat

Question 23

Non-chord tones

Answer 23

Notes that “don’t belong” in a chord

Question 24

Passing Tones

Answer 24

Fill-in notes. Notes between chords

Question 25

Neighbor Tones

Answer 25

Non-chord tones that move up, below, then back to the original pitch

Question 26

Appoggiatura

Answer 26

Leap up, resolve by step

Question 27

Escape Tone

Answer 27

Resolves in opposite direction by leap

Question 28

Suspension

Answer 28

Note is held over a chord 9-8, 7-6, 4-3

Question 29

Retardation

Answer 29

Suspended note that resolves upwards

Question 30

Anticipation

Answer 30

Leaves original chord early to become a part of resolution