Midterm study guide

Question 1

The speed of the beats

Answer 1

tempo

Question 2

High and low sounds

Answer 2

pitch

Question 3

AA ‘ A ‘’ A ‘’’ A ‘’’’ etc.

Answer 3

theme and variations

Question 4

Patterns of long and short sounds and silences

Answer 4

rhythm

Question 5

The unique sound or tone color of an instrument/voice

Answer 5

timbre

Question 6

AB

Answer 6

binary

Question 7

The way chords are built and how they follow each other

Answer 7

harmony

Question 8

the order or overall pattern of a song

Answer 8

form

Question 9

How loud or quiet the music is

Answer 9

dynamics

Question 10

the number of layers in a piece of music and how complex they are

Answer 10

texture

Question 11

ABA

Answer 11

ternary

Question 12

Groups of a certain number of beats (2s, 3s, 4s, etc.)

Answer 12

meter

Question 13

ABACABA or ABACADAEA (etc.)

Answer 13

rondo

Question 14

a series of pitches that make sense together; the part you sing

Answer 14

melody

Question 15

2 melodies at the same time (countermelody)

Answer 15

counterpoint

Question 16

When you play a key on a harpsichord, a quill does this to the string to make a sound

Answer 16

plucks

Question 17

When you play a key on a piano, this hits the string to make a sound

Answer 17

hammer

Question 18

When you play a key on a celesta, a hammer hits this to make a sound

Answer 18

steel bar

Question 19

This percussion instrument has a motor that operates fans inside each of its resonators

Answer 19

vibraphone

Question 20

The wire or plastic strings on the bottom of a drum that vibrate against the head to make a “crunch” sound

Answer 20

snares

Question 21

The “stick” used to play a violin is called a

Answer 21

bow

Question 22

How the lip, facial muscles, and jaw are set while playing a wind instrument

Answer 22

embouchure

Question 23

The flare at the end of the opening of an instrument where the sound comes out

Answer 23

bell

Question 24

This medieval chant melody has been used in many movies at scary or suspenseful moments, it means “day of wrath”

Answer 24

Dies irae

Question 25

Medieval secular song lyrics were usually written in this language

Answer 25

vernacular

Question 26

two or more melodies at the same time

Answer 26

Polyphonic

Question 27

Singing long groups of notes on a single syllable in a song, E.g., "Gl-o-o-o-o-o-o-ri-a" from the song, "Angels We Have Heard on High"

Answer 27

Melismatic

Question 28

Singing only 1-2 notes on each syllable in a song, E.g., "An-gels we have heard on high"

Answer 28

Neumatic

Question 29

Most of what we know about Leonin and Perotin comes from this student

Answer 29

Anonymous IV

Question 30

Music having no steady beat or pulse

Answer 30

Non-metrical

Question 31

One single melody with no harmony. E.g., Gregorian Chant

Answer 31

Monophonic

Question 32

"fixed melody", the lowest line in a motet

Answer 32

Cantus firmus

Question 33

A fast dance in triple meter

Answer 33

Estampie

Question 34

Multiple groups placed in different locations in a cathedral to create a surround sound

Answer 34

antiphonal choir

Question 35

Pavanne, saltarello, galiard, ronde, allemande, etc.

Answer 35

Renaissance dances

Question 36

Regarded as the greatest composer of the Renaissance

Answer 36

Josquin des Prez

Question 37

Vocal music for 3-4 voices

Answer 37

motet

Question 38

music for 3 voices (or parts), 1-2 of the lower voices (parts) would be played by instruments

Answer 38

Chanson

Question 39

Italian Renaissance composer who was able to respond to church regulations on music and still make some kickin' tunes

Answer 39

Giovanni Pierlulgi de Palestrina

Question 40

Italian Renaissance composer who was one of the first to compose for larger groups and for antiphonal choir

Answer 40

Giovanni Gabrielli

Question 41

This type of Renaissance-era music was mostly secular (not for religious purposes)

Answer 41

Instrumental music

Question 42

Abrupt changes from loud to quiet

Answer 42

Terraced dynamics

Question 43

A set or collection of dances that belong together

Answer 43

suite

Question 44

A performer with sick technical skillz

Answer 44

Virtuoso

Question 45

A set of violin concertos by Vivaldi

Answer 45

The Four Seasons

Question 46

Piece for solo instruments and orchestra, usually has 3-4 movements

Answer 46

Concerto

Question 47

Vivaldi taught violin and directed the orchestra here

Answer 47

Girl's orphanage

Question 48

Being paid to compose music for a specific occasion

Answer 48

Commission

Question 49

Composer who was part of a long family line of professional musicians

Answer 49

Bach