Module A/B terms

Question 1

melody

Answer 1

the “linear” aspect of music, the tune

Question 2

phrase

Answer 2

a musical sentence or clause

Question 3

cadence

Answer 3

the pause at the end of a musical phrase

Question 4

contour

Answer 4

aspect of a melody that describes if the melody is smooth or jagged

Question 5

range

Answer 5

aspect of a melody that describes if it is narrow or wide

Question 6

theme

Answer 6

a tune, usually several phrases, that serves as the basis of a whole piece or part of a piece

Question 7

motive

Answer 7

a short, repetitive melodic-rhythmic fragment used to make longer melodies

Question 8

rhythm

Answer 8

the time or temporal aspect of music

Question 9

meter

Answer 9

aspect of rhythm that groups beats into 2s, 3s, 4s, etc.

Question 10

tempo

Answer 10

the speed of the beat (fast or slow)

Question 11

accelerando

Answer 11

Italian- to speed up

Question 12

ritardando

Answer 12

Italian- to slow down

Question 13

harmony

Answer 13

the “vertical” aspect of music

Question 14

chords

Answer 14

aspect of harmony; two or more notes heard simultaneously as a unit

Question 15

dissonance

Answer 15

harmonic tension

Question 16

consonance

Answer 16

harmonic relaxation/ repose

Question 17

harmonic “progression”

Answer 17

the logical flow of chords from one to another

Question 18

timbre

Answer 18

the unique character or identifying quality of a sound

Question 19

dynamics

Answer 19

aspect of timbre which expresses the degree of loudness

Question 20

crescendo

Answer 20

Italian- to grow louder (timbre)

Question 21

decrescendo

Answer 21

Italian- to grow softer (timbre)

Question 22

texture

Answer 22

the layering and interweaving of melodies and accompaniments

Question 23

monophonic texture

Answer 23

aspect of texture that refers to a single line of melody

Question 24

polyphonic texture

Answer 24

aspect of texture that refers to two or more simultaneous melodies

Question 25

homophonic texture

Answer 25

aspect of texture that refers to either melody with accompaniment or the use of chords

Question 26

form

Answer 26

the plan, organization, architecture of a piece

Question 27

outer form

Answer 27

the objective features of the music's organization

Question 28

inner from

Answer 28

the organization of subjective experiences, tension/resolution

Question 29

expression

Answer 29

the aesthetic meanings of the music

Question 30

WEAM

Answer 30

Western European Art Music

Question 31

absolute music

Answer 31

music that has no words, descriptive title, or any hint from the composer as to what the music as about

Question 32

programmatic music

Answer 32

music that has no words, but has a descriptive title or notes describing what it is about

Question 33

Early Music

Answer 33

music from the Middle Ages or Renaissance

Question 34

Middle Ages

Answer 34

era of music from c. 600-1450

Question 35

Renaissance

Answer 35

era of music from c. 1450-1600

Question 36

Baroque Period

Answer 36

era of music from c. 1600-1750

Question 37

Classical Era

Answer 37

era of music from c. 1750-1827

Question 38

Romantic Era

Answer 38

era of music from c. 1825-1900

Question 39

20th Century Era

Answer 39

era of music from c. 1900- now

Question 40

word painting

Answer 40

when the music reflects the meaning of the words of the song

Question 41

word declamation

Answer 41

when the words of a song are audible and syllables are stressed as if they are being spoken (strong/weak syllables)

Question 42

theme and variations form

Answer 42

type of form in which there are variations on a specific theme

Question 43

movement

Answer 43

piece of a selection of music that is like a chapter of a book or act in a play

Question 44

concerto

Answer 44

piece of music with a soloist and full orchestra alternating

Question 45

virtuoso

Answer 45

"super professional"

Question 46

ritornello

Answer 46

part of a form in which the orchestra plays, followed by soloists

Question 47

duality

Answer 47

refers to a piece that is very complex and polyphonic, but is also structured and methodical

Question 48

string quartet

Answer 48

group of four instruments that typically played in the Classical era (2 violins, viola, and cello)

Question 49

chamber music

Answer 49

type of music in the Classical era in which each player had their own independent part

Question 50

avant-garde

Answer 50

quality of being modern or experimental