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STUDY GUIDE
POLYPHONIC- Composition where parts move individually.
HOMOPHONIC- Composition where parts move simultaneously.
NATURAL- Mark cancelling sharp or flat.
FLAT- symbol lowering note ½ step.
CONTEMPORARY- Debussy, Stravinsky, Weber.
SONATO- Song based compositions solo with orch.
CONCERTO- Contest between soloist & orch.
SYMPHONY- Large orchestral work based on theme & variations.
CHORALE- Homophonic choral work began in Baroque era.
PHRASE- Musical statement or idea.
COUNTERPOINT- Melody & Harmony moving in opposite directions. (contrary motion)
MOLTO- Term used to magnify musical terms (much).
SUITE- Work based on several related themes.
AUGMENTED- interval made ½ step, larger.
DIMINISHED- interval made ½ step, smaller.
ROOT- First degree of the scale (tonic).
INVERSION- Chords played with note other than tonics on bottom.
DOT- Mark after note adding ½ of notes value.
SIMPLE- 2,3 & 4 meter.
COMPOUND- Meters in 6,9,12 etc.
KEY- Sharps and flats used to determine scale.
HARMONIC MINOR- Minor scale with raised 7th.
NATURAL MINOR- Scale starting on the 6th degree of the scale.
SEQUENCE- Sub-motives with similar rhythmic figures.
SHARP- Mark raising note ½ step.
MELODY- The basic musical pattern of the composition.
HARMONY- Other pitches decorating the melody.
RHYTHM- The different lengths of the notes.
DYNAMICS- Marks that tell how to move or change the music.
TEMPO- Rate(beats) per minute.
BEAT- Pulsations.
TIMBRE- Characteristics tone qualities of instruments.
TONE- Pitch colors of the various instruments.
PITCH- Frequency / how high or low.
MOTIVE- Small units of a melody or composition.
THEME- Motives combined to form a complete idea.
FORM- Themes combined to complete the composition.
MOOD- Feelings & images intended by the composer.
METER- Beats per measure.
STYLE- Individual differences between composers & compositions.
COMPOSITION- An original musical work.
LEGATO- Smooth, connected playing of notes.
STACATTO- Sharp, disconnected playing of notes.
TENUTO- Notes held to full value.
SOPRANO- Highest female voice part.
ALTO- Low female or highest male voice part.
TENOR- High male voice part.
BASS- Lowest male voice part.
THEME & VARIATION- Statement & varied restatement of original theme.
FUGUE- Composition where parts are introduced at one time.
INTERVAL- Distance between pitches.
MAJOR- Scale where ½ steps fall between (3&4) & (7&8)
MINOR- Scale where ½ steps fall between (2&3) & (5&6)
CHROMATIC- Scale consisting of all half steps.
PENTATONIC- Five tone scale.
ENSEMBLE- Complete performance organization.
BALANCE- Equal volume of musical parts.
BLEND- Melting of parts together.
TRIAD- Harmony figure built on ascending thirds.
ARPPEGGIO- Broken chords (played alone)
CRESCENDO- Gradual increase in volume.
DECELERANDO- Gradual slowing of tempo.
ALLARGANDO- In grand style.
FORTE- Loud.
PIANO- Soft.
PIANISSIMO- Very soft.
FORTISSIMO- Very loud.
DUPLE- Meter divisible by 2.
TRIPLE- Meter divisible by 3.
CLEF- Mark on staff indicating pitch landmarks.
SCALE- Order of ascending & descending notes within an octave.
WHOLE TONE SCALE- Scale consisting of seven whole steps.
ACCENT- Sharp attack, rapid decay of notes.
DIMINUENDO- Gradually softer.
ACCELERANDO- Gradually get faster.
STEP- 2nd or side by side on piano.
SKIP- 3rd or skip a natural.
LEAP- Every other natural.
TIE- Solid line connecting same pitches.
SLUR- Solid line connecting different pitches.
REPEAT SIGN- 2 dots at end of staff.
C- Common Time. 4/4
C-Cut time. 2/2
DOWNBEAT- 1st beat of measure.
MEZZO- Medium (voice).
RITARDANDO- Slower.
CONSONANCE- Musical rest, relaxation.
DISSONANCE- Musical tension.
ACCIDENTAL- Sharps, flats, natural signs.
PARALLEL- Harmony follows melody.
CHORDAL- Harmony follows chords.
KEY SIGNATURE- Tells sharps & flats.
CHORD- More than one pitch played together.
BARITONE- Medium male voice.