melody Flashcards
(24 cards)
what is an anacrusis
A note, or series of notes that precedes the
first beat of a bar. Also known as a pick up or an upbeat
what is a conjunct melody
Stepwise monition, a melody that moves
up or down a scale
what is a disjunct melody
Stepwise monition, a melody that moves
up or down a scale
what is an arpeggio / broken chord
Notes of the chord played in succession,
either ascending or descending
what is a scalic melody
Related to a musical scale
what is the range
The distance between the lowest and
highest note that an instrument/voice can
play/sing
what is a melodic sequence
A melody/motif that is repeated in the
same part at a higher or lower pitch
what is melodic imitation
The repetition of a melody played in a
different part
what is melodic contrast
The difference between parts or different
instrument sounds
what is a melodic motif
A short musical idea
what is a leitmotif
A recurring melody that is associated with a
character, place or emotion
what is an octave`
The interval between one musical pitch and
another with half or double its frequency
what is a semitone
The smallest interval (or step) used in
western classical/popular music
what is a tone
The equivalent of 2 semitones
what is a microtone
An interval smaller than a semitone. Not
common in western music
what is chromatic movement
Movement to another note that is not in the
diatonic scale, e.g C > C#
what is the pentatonic scale
A 5 note scale, usually a major scale with
the 4th and 7th note omitted
what is a blue note
A minor interval where a major would be
expected, used especially in jazz.
what is a tril
A rapid alternation between two adjacent
notes
what is ornamentation/decoration
Notes which are added to the main notes of
a piece of music in order to make it more
interesting
what is a counter melody
a secondary melody played at the same
time as the main melody
what is an answering phrase
A phrasing technique that is used to
complete a short melody. The answering
phrase will usually sound finished.
what is a thematic
The melodic ideas of a music composition
what is a fanfare
a short muscial flourish, usually played by trumpets or other brass instruments
