Structural Concepts

Question 1

monophonic

Answer 1

one single line or part

Question 2

polyphonic/contrapuntal

Answer 2

two or more melodic lines move independently of each other

Question 3

homophonic

Answer 3

all parts more together rhythmically

Question 4

single line

Answer 4

one musical part

Question 5

cluster

Answer 5

a group of notes played on a keyboard with the palm of the hand

Question 6

descant

Answer 6

another melody above the main tune, mainly in vocal music

Question 7

obbligato

Answer 7

a prominent solo instrument part in a piece of vocal music

Question 8

contrary motion

Answer 8

two parts moving in opposite directions

Question 9

pedal

Answer 9

a note which is held or repeated in the bass part while the harmony changes over it

Question 10

inverted pedal

Answer 10

a note held or repeated in the upper part

Question 11

antiphonal

Answer 11

one group of voices or instruments answers another. echo effect

Question 12

inversion

Answer 12

music is mirrored or turned upside down

Question 13

retrograde

Answer 13

to go backwards - a musical section is played to go from the end to the beginning

Question 14

subject

Answer 14

main theme in a composition or main theme on which a fugue is based

Question 15

countersubject

Answer 15

found in a fugue. after the subject or answer is played, the continuation on that instrument is the countersubject

Question 16

real answer

Answer 16

In a fugue. answers the subject, if the intervals are the same it is a real answer

Question 17

tonal answer

Answer 17

In a fugue. answers the subject, if the intervals are not the same it is a tonal answer

Question 18

episode

Answer 18

a section linking two appearances of the same material

Question 19

stretto

Answer 19

voices or parts enter very quickly one after another as in a fugue

Question 20

binary

Answer 20

a form made up pf two sections - AB

Question 21

ternary

Answer 21

ABA

Question 22

rondo

Answer 22

first section comes back after every repeated section - ABACADA

Question 23

Theme and variations

Answer 23

Material is repeated in an altered form

Question 24

Minuet and trio

Answer 24

A dance with three beats in a bar

Question 25

Strophic

Answer 25

Song with a recurring verse and chorus

Question 26

Coda

Answer 26

The concluding section at the end of a movement or section to give a final effect

Question 27

Cadenza

Answer 27

Passage in a concerto where a soloist “shows off” how well they play the instrument

Question 28

Ritornello

Answer 28

Returning passage

Question 29

Exposition

Answer 29

The first section of a sonata or fugue

Question 30

Transition/bridge

Answer 30

Link between two themes

Question 31

Walking bass

Answer 31

Bass line with notes of the same value moving in step

Question 32

Ground bass

Answer 32

A theme repeated in bass

Question 33

Alberti bass

Answer 33

Bass line with broken chords played in the left hand while right hand plays the melody. Usually on piano

Question 34

Basso continuo

Answer 34

Found in baroque music. Consists of a bass line by strings or bassoon in addition to a harpsichord or organ part filling in missing harmonies.