Download Picture - Gryffe Music

MELODIC
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The melody can move in a variety of ways:ASCENDING
Moving in an upward direction
DESCENDING
Moving in a downward direction
STEPWISE
Moving by step to the note directly above
or below
LEAPING
Jumping between high notes and low notes
The melody can move in patterns:REPETITION
Musical idea heard more than once in exactly
The same way by exactly that same
Instrument / voice
IMITATION
Musical idea played by one instrument / voice
And then repeated exactly the same way by
another instrument / voice
SEQUENCE
A pattern of notes repeated higher or lower
PHRASE
Short musical idea, part of the melody
THEME
A clear recognisable melody which is the
main idea for a composition
QUESTION
An opening phrase in a melody
ANSWER
Reply to an opening phrase or musical answer
Higher Music Concepts (Int2 / Higher) : 2009 DMG
The melody can be measured in distance:-
INTERVAL
The distance between 2 notes
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SEMITONE
The shortest distance in music ² half a tone
C to C# or B to Bb, etc
TONE
An interval of 2 semitones, eg from
C to D or F to G etc
BROKEN CHORD
Notes of the chord played separately
MICROTONE *
An interval smaller than a semitone. Used
in Eastern European music and also Indian
Music. Sometimes found in music of the
20th Century.
TRITONE *
Interval made up from three whole tones
Eg: F - B
The melody can be decorated in order to make it more interesting:-
VARIATION
When the main theme is developed by
adding extra notes or changing the speed or
tonality
ORNAMENT
A decoration added to the melody using
different or additional notes
GRACE-NOTE
A type of ornament played quickly before
the note. Used mainly as a decoration
Higher Music Concepts (Int2 / Higher) : 2009 DMG
TRILL
A rapid repeated movement between
2 notes
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TURN *
An ornament ² 4 notes turn around the main
Note.
Played as : the note above ² the main note ²
the note below ² the main note again.
MORDENT *
An ornament.
Played as : the main note ² the note above ²
the main note again.
(inverted mordent
²
mordent)
ACCIACCATURA *
An ornament which sounds like a
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on or before the note.
APPOGGIATURA *
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It takes on half the value of the main note
that follows it.
Eg ² 1 minim becomes 2 crotchets.
Higher Music Concepts (Int2 / Higher) : 2009 DMG
Melodies can be played using different scales:MODE *
Usually refers to an early form of scale or
in reference to a major mode (major key) or
minor mode (minor key).
MAJOR SCALE
A row of notes built on an order of tones
and semitones. Major scales can be
described as bright and happy
MINOR SCALE
A row of notes built on an order of tones
and semitones. Two main types ²
Melodic Minor and Harmonic Minor.
Minor scales can be described
as sad and dull.
HARMONIC MINOR *
Scale sharing the same key signature as its
relative major but raises the 7th note by one
semitone.
MELODIC MINOR *
Scale sharing the same key signature as its
relative major but raises the 6th and 7th notes
by one semitone ascending and similarly lowers
them when descending.
CHROMATIC
A scale built entirely on semitones
PENTATONIC
A scale based on 5 notes. Very popular in folk Music
Higher Music Concepts (Int2 / Higher) : 2009 DMG
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WHOLE TONE SCALE
A scale built entirely on tones. Popular in 20th
Century music and sometimes sounds strange
to the ear.
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BLUES SCALE
A scale used in BLUES music. In the scale of
C the main blues scale uses the notes C, Eb, F,
Gb, G, Bb, and high C.
TONAL
Music based on a Major or Minor key.
ATONAL
Music based on no particular key. Sounds
dissonant and is hard to listen to.
Very popular in 20th Cent.
MODULATING
Moving from a higher key to a lower key and
vice versa
RELATIVE MAJOR
A change from a minor key to the major
key with the same signature. The major
key is found 3 semitones higher ²
eg, D Minor to F Major
RELATIVE MINOR
A change from the major key to the minor
key with the same key signature. The minor
key is found 3 semitones lower ²
eg, C Major to A Minor
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TONE ROW *
The 12 notes found in a chromatic octave
are arranged in a particular order ² appearing
once only in the row. Each note is as important
as the other. Found in Serialism.
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In vocal music we can describe the word setting of melodies as follows:-
SYLLABIC
One note for each syllable.
MELISMATIC
Several notes sung to one syllable
WORD PAINTING
The music can illustrate the word or the
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may be sung as a descending scale
SCAT SINGING
Nonsense words and sounds made up by a
singer usually found in JAZZ music.
Higher Music Concepts (Int2 / Higher) : 2009 DMG
HARMONIC
Words in this section describe what is happening in the harmony
Harmony can be split into two areas of TONALITY:-
MAJOR
The music sounds in a major key ² bright and
happy sounding
MINOR
The music sounds in a minor key ² sad and
dull sounding
POLYTONALITY *
Two or more keys played at the same time.
Eg : 1 part in C Major / 1 part in F Major.
Sounds strange to the ear!
Harmony is built in the following way:-
CHORD
Two or more notes sounding together
CHORD CHANGE
Moving from 1 chord to a different chord
DISCORD
A chord in which certain notes clash producing
an unpleasant sound. Popular in 20th Century
music
CONSONANCE
Notes which sound well together, pleasant on
the ear
DISSONANCE
Notes which do not sound pleasant when
played together
INTERVAL
The distance between 2 notes
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SUSPENSION
An effect created when a note from 1 chord is
held over to the next chord creating a discord.
The note is then resolved
PASSING NOTE
A note moving between 2 notes from the
same chord,
eg D is the passing note between C and E
VAMP
A rhythmic accompaniment with a bass
note played on the strong beat and a chord
played off the beat.
Chords :DOMINANT 7th *
Chord built upon the dominant (5th) note of
the key which adds the 7th note above the root
(the 7th note of the scale).
Eg ² In the scale of F Major (C-E-G-Bb)
DIMINISHED CHORD *
A chord built from two Minor 3rd intervals.
Sometimes used as a scary effect!
Eg ² C-Eb-Gb
DIMINISHED 7th *
A chord built from three Minor 3rd intervals
one on top of the other. The interval between
the lower note and the top note is a
diminished 7th.
AUGMENTED CHORD *
Chord formed from the Major chord where the
5th is raised a semitone.
Sometimes used as a suspence effect!
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ADDED 6th *
Chord made up from a Major chord with the
6th note added to the top.
6RPHWLPHVJLYHVD¶MD]]\·effect!
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Harmony changes in the following way:-
MODULATION
A change of key
MODULATION TO THE
RELATIVE MINOR
A change from the major key to the minor
key with the same key signature. The minor
key will be 3 semitones lower
eg C Major to A Minor
Concepts affecting harmony are:-
PERFECT CADENCE
2 chords at the end of a phrase.
Chord V to chord I ² the dominant to the tonic.
PLAGAL CADENCE *
2 chords at the end of a phrase.
Chord IV to chord I. Sounds finished and is
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Higher Music Concepts (Int2 / Higher) : 2009 DMG
IMPERFECT CADENCE
2 chords at the end of a phrase.
Chord I to chord V ² the tonic to the dominant.
This cadence has an unfinished feel
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INTERRUPTED CADENCE *
2 chords at the end of a phrase.
Chord V to chord VI (minor chord). Known as
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of the music. (always ends in a minor chord!)
TIERCE DE PICARDIE
The final chord in a piece of music played in
the minor key is changed to major
DRONE
One note held on or repeated in the bass.
Commonly found on a bagpipe.
Higher Music Concepts (Int2 / Higher) : 2009 DMG
RHYTHMIC
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Words in this section describe what is happening in the rhythm and tempo
Rhythm falls into 2 areas:SIMPLE TIME
Music with 2, 3 or 4 beats in the bar.
Each beat is usually 1 crotchet
COMPOUND TIME
Each beat is divided into groups of
3 pulses
Speed changes are described in the following way:ACCELERANDO
Music gets gradually faster
RALLENTANDO
Music gets gradually slower
RUBATO
The performer plays in a very
free way and is able to pull the music
about to suit the situation
Rhythm effects can be described in the following way:ON THE BEAT
The main accents are on the beat
OFF THE BEAT
The main accents are on the weak
beat or against the beat
SYNCOPATION
Accented notes playing off or against
The beat. Same as above
SCOTCH SNAP
A rhythmic figure with a short
accented note followed by a longer
note. Mostly found in a Strathspey
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CROSS RHYTHMS
Effect where 2 notes are played
against 3
DOTTED RHYTHMS
Long notes followed by short notes
and vice versa giving a jolty effect
TRIPLETS
Group of three notes played in the
space of 1 beat
DOWN BEAT
The first beat of each bar, which
The conductor would show with a
downward stroke
UP BEAT
The last beat in the bar, which the
conductor would show with an
upward beat
ANACRUSIS
Notes which appear before the first
strong beat of the bar. Almost like
a very short lead-in.
THREE AGAINST TWO *
One line or part playing quavers in
groups of two while another part
plays triplets.
Concepts affecting the rhythm:DRUM FILL
A rhythmic decoration played on the
drumkit
BEAT/PULSE
The basic pulse you hear in music.
The pulse may be in groups of 2, 3
or 4 with an accent or stress on the
first beat of each bar
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PAUSE
The musical flow / rhythm is held
up by a long note or silence
ACCENTED
Notes that are slightly stressed
sounding louder than others.
HEMIOLA *
Often appears in Baroque music where
music which has three beats in a bar
moves to two beats and creates a cross
rhythm over a bar line. This often
happens to emphasise a cadence. Almost
gives a Rallentando effect.
AUGMENTATION *
The note values are increased
affecting the length of the notes.
The music sounds slower when repeated.
DIMINUTION *
The note values are decreased. The
music sounds faster when repeated.
TIME CHANGES *
Changes in time signature.
IRREGULAR METRES *
Regular time changes.
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STRUCTURAL
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Words in this section describe how a piece of music is put together or constructed
All music falls into one of 3 categories
MONOPHONIC
One single line or part
POLYPHONY
Texture consisting of two or more melodic
lines which weave independently of each other
CONTRAPUNTAL
Similar to above
HOMOPHONY
Texture where all the parts move together
rhythmically
These categories are either
ACCOMPANIED
One or more instruments / voices support the
main melody
UNACCOMPANIED
The melody is not supported by any other
instruments or voices
Music is constructed in the following ways
SINGLE LINE
One musical part
SOLO
Single line / performer
UNISON / OCTAVE
Two or more parts performing the same
named note at the same pitch or 8 notes
apart
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HARMONY
Two or more parts performing different
notes at the same time
ENSEMBLE
Group of musicians performing together
CLUSTER
A group of notes played on a keyboard
instrument with the palm of the hand. A
20th Century technique ² harsh on the ear
DESCANT
Another melody above the main tune,
mainly in vocal music
COUNTERMELODY
A melody played against the main melody
OBBLIGATO
A prominent solo instrument part in a
piece of vocal music. Almost like an
instrumental descant
CONTRARY MOTION
Two parts moving in opposite directions
Eg one ascending, one descending
PEDAL
A note which is held or repeated
continuously in the bass part while the
harmony changes over it
INVERTED PEDAL
A note which is held or repeated
continuously in the upper part while the
harmony changes below it
CHORD
Two or more notes sounding together
ARPEGGIO
Notes of the chord played one after the
other ² can be spread beyond an octave
ANTIPHONAL *
One group of voices or instruments answers
another. Like an ehco effect.
INVERSION *
The music is mirrored or turned upside down
RETROGRADE *
To go backwards ² a musical section is
played from the end to the beginning.
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SUBJECT *
The main theme in a composition or the
main themes in Sonata Form or the main
theme on which a Fugue is based.
COUNTERSUBJECT *
Found in a Fugue. After the subject or
answer has been played, the continuation
on that same voice or instrument is called
the countersubject.
REAL ANSWER *
Found in a Fugue after the subject is played,
the same tune appears in another voice or part
in the dominant key. This is called the answer.
If the intervals are exactly the same as the
subject then this is called a Real Answer.
TONAL ANSWER *
Found in a Fugue. If the intervals in the
answer are not exactly the same as the
subject then this is a Tonal Answer.
EPISODE *
A section linking two appearances of the
same material. In a fugue, an episode can be
used as a modulating link between entries of
the subject.
STRETTO *
Where the voices or parts enter very quickly
one after another as in a Fugue.
Music is also constructed using different sections
REPETITION
A section repeated in exactly the same
way by exactly the same instrument
OSTINATO / RIFF
A short musical pattern repeated many times
BINARY
A form where the music is made up from
2 sections ² A & B
TERNARY
A form where the music is made up from
3 sections ² A B A
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RONDO
A form in music where the first section
comes back after each contrasting section
A B A C A D A E A etc
THEME AND VARIATIONS
A form in music where each section
changes the main theme through speed,
tonality, time signature or rhythm
ROUND
Each part sings or plays the melody
entering one after the other
CANON
Strict imitation where one part sings or
plays the melody with another part entering shortly
afterwards with exactly the same
melody
MINUET & TRIO
A dance with 3 beats in the bar. The trio
is a contrasting minuet after which the
first minuet returns
PROGRAMME
Music which tells a story or describes a
scene or picture
MIDDLE 8
Modulating 8 bars connecting 2 related
sections
STROPHIC
Music / song with a recurring verse and
Chorus
THROUGH ² COMPOSED
Music / song that does not have a chorus
or repeat
CODA
The concluding section at the end of a
movement or section to give a final effect.
CADENZA
A show-off passage in a Concerto where the
soloist performs a solo passage showing how
well they play the instrument.
LEITMOTIV *
A recurring theme throughout a work
which represents a person, event or idea.
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RITORNELLO *
Returning passage. In a Concerto Grosso
it is the main theme played by the orchestra.
SONATA FORM *
Often describes the form of the first
movements of sonatas, symphonies and
overtures. Falls into 3 sections :
Exposition ² Development ² Recapitulation.
EXPOSITION *
The first section of a movement in
Sonata Form or the first section of a Fugue.
BRIDGE *
A link between 2 themes. In sonata form
the transition or bridge passage links the
first subject group to the second subject
group and also modulates to the key of
the second.
TRANSITION *
Similar to above.
Bass lines can be constructed in different ways
WALKING BASS
A moving bass line with notes of the same
value. They usually move in step
GROUND BASS
A theme repeated in the bass many times
while the upper parts are varied
ALBERTI BASS
Broken chords played in the left hand
while the right hand plays the melody.
Usually found only on piano
Higher Music Concepts (Int2 / Higher) : 2009 DMG
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BASSO CONTINUO *
Found in Baroque Music. Consists of a Bass
Line usually played by cello, bass, viola or
bassoon in addition to a keyboard part ²
harpsichord or organ. The players would
fill in missing harmonies.
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TIMBRE
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Words in this section describe instruments, ensembles and how they are used
Voices are as follows:SOPRANO
The highest range of female voice
MEZZO-SOPRANO
Female voice range lying between a
soprano and alto
ALTO
The lowest female voice
COUNTERTENOR
Male adult voice range higher than a tenor.
Can sometimes sound like a female. Sound
is produced by singing in what is called
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TENOR
A high adult male voice
BARITONE
Male voice range lying between a tenor
and a bass
BASS
The lowest male voice
Concepts describing vocals are:A CAPPELLA
Unaccompanied singing
LEAD VOCALS
The main singers in a group
BACKING VOCALS
Singers who support the main singer
usually by singing in harmony in the background
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CHORAL
Music for voices with more than one
singer on each part
COLORATURA *
Term used to describe highly decorative,
florid, vocal singing involving scales and
ornaments. The singer would sometimes
exceed their vocal range.
SPRECHGESANG *
Technique used in vocal music where the
singer is required to use the voice in an
expressive manner half way between
singing and speaking. 20th C. technique.
Sections of the Orchestra:STRINGS
Consisting : Violin, Viola, Cello,
Double Bass and Harp
WOODWIND
Consisting: Piccolo, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet,
Saxophone and Bassoon
BRASS
Consisting: Trumpet, Trombone, Horn
and Tuba
PERCUSSION
Consisting: Tuned ² Glockenspiel,
Xylophone, Marimba, Metalophone etc
Consisting : Untuned ² Drumkit, Timpani,
Triangle, Cymbals, Tambourine etc
Each section has concepts associated with them:STRINGS:BOWING
When strings are played with a bow
ARCO
Another word for Bowing
PLUCKING
Using fingers to pick the strings
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PIZZICATO
Sound made by plucking the strings
with fingers
STRUMMING
Sound produced by drawing fingers or
a plectrum across the strings
SLAPPING
Method of playing a bass guitar where the
thumb is used to hit the strings
DOUBLE STOPPING
COL LEGNO
Sound produced by bowing more than
one string at a time
Sound produced by bouncing the wooden
side of the bow on the strings ² gives a
clicking sound
TREMOLANDO
Trembling, quivering effect
TREMOLO
Rapid up and down movement on the
strings creating an agitated effect.
Can also be produced by playing different
notes at least a 3rd apart on piano or
wind instruments
VIBRATO
A rapid but minute fluctuation in pitch to
give an expressive quality to a note.
HARMONICS *
The high eerie like sounds produced on a
bowed string instrument by lightly touching
the string at certain points. On a guitar this
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WOODWIND:BLOWING
Sound produced by blowing into or across
the mouth piece
FLUTTER TONGUING
A method of tonguing in which the player
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effective on flute but also used on brass
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BRASS:BLOWING
Sound produced by blowing into or across
the mouth piece
MUTED
Using a device which reduces the volume
or alters the sound of an instrument
CON SORDINO
Musical term for muted
PERCUSSION:STRIKING
Sound is produced by hitting an instrument
ORCHESTRA SECTIONS:CONSORT *
An old English word, from the Renaissance
and early Baroque periods for a group of
instruments or chamber ensemble. A Whole
consort applies to one family of instruments
such as Viols or Recorders, while a Broken
consort applies to mixed families.
RIPIENO *
The main, larger group of instruments in a
Concerto Grosso..
CONCERTINO *
The smaller, solo, group of players in a
Concerto Grosso
Scottish Instruments:ACCORDION
Instrument with a keyboard in which the
sounds are produced by squeezing bellows
with the arms
FIDDLE
Another name for the violin
PIPES
Short for Bagpipes
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Instrumental effects:BENDING
Changing the pitch of a note ² for example
By pushing a guitar string upwards.
ROLLS
A very fast repetition of a note on a
percussion instrument like snare drum
or timpani.
DISTORTION
An electronic effect used in rock music
to colour the sound of the electric guitar
REVERB
An electronic effect which can give the
impression of different hall acoustics
DELAY
An electronic effect which repeats a note
or a phrase
General instrumental concepts:GLISSANDO
Rapid sliding up or down the notes
Popular on piano, harp and trombone
SUSTAINED
When the sound is held on
STACCATO
Short, crisp, detached notes
LEGATO
Notes played smoothly
CRESCENDO
Getting louder
DIMINUENDO
Getting quieter
Individual instruments:ELECTRIC GUITAR
Guitar which requires an amplifier to
produce sound
ACOUSTIC GUITAR
A guitar which does not require an
amplifier to produce the sound
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12-STRING GUITAR
A guitar that is double strung having
2 notes per pitch
SLIDE GUITAR
A method of playing a guitar whereby
the player uses a metal tube or bottleneck
around his finger and slides it across the
frets to change the pitch
FRETLESS BASS GUITAR
A bass guitar with no frets ² closer in
tone to a double bass
DRUMKIT
Percussion instrument were tuned skins
are hit with sticks
ELECTRONIC DRUMS
Drumkit where the sounds are
electronically recreated along with other
percussion sounds
PIANO
Keyboard instrument where the sound
is produced by hammers hitting sticks
ORGAN
A keyboard instrument usually found in
churches ² often more than 1 keyboard
SYNTHESISER
Keyboard instrument capable of making
new and unusual electronic sounds
RECORDER
Early woodwind instrument sound
produced by blowing ² four types,
descant, treble, tenor and bass
PAN PIPES
Pipes which are graded in size and bound
together with the sound produced by
blowing across the top of the pipes
SITAR
A string instrument from India. In
addition to melody strings it has a drone
and strings which vibrate with each other
TABLA
Two Indian drums tuned to different
pitches and often used to accompany a
sitar
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Bands and ensembles:BRASS BAND
A band containing brass instruments
and percussion
CEILIDH BAND
A band containing fiddles, drums and accordion.
Mainly used to accompany dancing
MILITARY BAND
A band containing woodwind, brass and
percussion
PIPE BAND
A band containing Bagpipes and drums
ROCK BAND
A band containing guitars, bass guitars,
drums and vocals
STEEL BAND
A West Indian band containing
instruments made out of oil drums.
Each drum is hammered into panels to
make different pitches
SCOTTISH DANCE BAND
A band containing fiddle, accordion,
piano and drums
WIND BAND
A band containing woodwind, brass and percussion
instruments. Usually intended
for performance in a Concert Hall
FOLK GROUP
A group of instrumentalists and singers
performing songs from a particular country
JAZZ GROUP
A group which performs jazz containing,
drumkit, piano and trumpet
POP GROUP
A group of instrumentalists and singers
performing modern day popular music
GHANAIAN DRUM
ENSEMBLE
West African percussion instruments
drums, bells and shakes which are played
together
LATIN PERCUSSION
ENSEMBLE
A set of percussion instruments playing
music from Latin America, Brazil and Cuba
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CHAMBER MUSIC
Music written for a small instrumental
ensemble with one player to a part .
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STYLES / FORMS
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Words in this section describe the original form /style of the music in relation to the history
of music
Musical periods:BAROQUE
Music written between 1600-1750. Popular
composers were Bach and Handel
CLASSICAL
Music written between 1750-1810. Popular
composers were Mozart, Haydn and
Beethoven
ROMANTIC
Music written between 1810-1900. Popular
composers were Chopin, Schubert and
Tchaikovsky
LATE ROMANTIC *
Music of the late 19th Century and early
20th Century which retains the dramatic
intensity of the earlier 19th C. Music contains
vast instrumental forces and large
scale compositions.
NATIONALIST *
A term used to describe music which
incorporates elements of folk music of
WKHFRPSRVHUV·FRXQtry. It emerged around
the second half of the 19th Century.
Vocal styles/forms:HYMN TUNE
A simple melody used in the church
OPERA
A secular drama set to music featuring
vocals with orchestral accompaniment
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ORATORIO
A musical setting of a biblical story
featuring vocals and orchestra.
No acting or staging
RECITATIVE
Vocal writing found in Opera, Oratorio and
Cantata following the rhythm or speech.
It is often half sung / half spoken in order
to move on the story or plot
ARIA
A song found in an Opera, Oratorio and
Cantata usually with orchestral
accompaniment
DA CAPO ARIA *
An aria in ternary form. The 3rd section is
not written out but the instruction Da Capo
(from the beginning) is given instead. The
first section is repeated in a highly
ornamented fashion.
CHORUS
A group of singers with several voices to each
part.
Used in Opera, Oratorio and Cantata
PLAINCHANT *
Also known as Plainsong. Unaccompanied
melody set to words of the Roman Catholic
liturgy such as the Mass. Plainchants are
Modal and have no regular metre.
Sung in Latin.
CHANT *
Unaccompanied vocal music to which the
words of psalms are sung in the Church
Of England.
MASS *
From Renaissance period, a large scale sacred
choral work featuring a Latin text and
polyphonic texture. Usually performed a
cappella. Listen for eg, Kyrie, Benedictus,
Gloria, etc.
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MOTET *
From the Renaissance period, a religious
choral composition, usually unaccompanied
( a cappella ) for the Roman Catholic Church
in Latin and is the equivalent of the Anthem
of the reformed church.
ANTHEM *
Short sacred choral work sung in English.
Sometimes unaccompanied but sometimes
accompanied by organ.
MADRIGAL *
From the Renaissance period, a non-religious
work, polyphonic in style and using imitation.
The text is sung in English.
BALLETT *
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¶)DK-la-OD·FKRUXV
CANTATA
A small scale Oratorio
PASSION
Type of Oratorio describing the Crucifixion.
Sung in German and features a Chorale
CHORALE
German Hymn tune written in four parts
for Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass.
Usually Homophonic in texture
MUSICAL
Popular musical play featuring vocals
and orchestra
LIED *
From the Romantic period, music for
solo voice and piano sung in German.
SONG CYCLE *
A group of songs linked by a common
theme or with a text written by the same
author usually accompanied by piano or
sometimes small ensembles or full orchestra.
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Instrumental styles/forms:PAVAN *
A Renaissance court dance linked with the
Galliard. The pavan is slow and stately
with 2 beats in the bar.
(Remember ² PA-VAN ² 2syllables)
GALLIARD *
A Renaissance court dance which follows
a Pavan. The Galliard is quick and lively and
has 3 beats in the bar.
(Remember ² GALL-I-ARD ² 3 syllables)
OVERTURE *
A piece of orchestral music which introduces
a large-scale work such as an opera,
oratorio or musical.
SONATA *
A work for solo piano of solo instrument
and piano.
SUITE *
A set of dances or a collection of pieces
that stand on their own or are part of a
larger scale work.
CONCERTO
A work for solo instrument and orchestra
CONCERTO GROSSO *
From the Baroque period, a concerto in
which a group of soloists (concertino) is
combined and contrasted with a larger
group (ripieno).
FUGUE *
A contrapuntal piece based on a theme
(subject) announced in one part alone and
then imitated by others in close succession.
CHORALE PRELUDE *
An extended work for organ based on a chorale
melody. Usually found in the Baroque era.
SYMPHONY
A large work for orchestra in four movements
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FANFARE
A short piece played on trumpets usually
indicating an important occasion or event
SCHERZO
A lively movement in triple time often found
in a symphony, sonata or chamber music
AIR *
A song or simple melody, sometimes the
title of a movement or suite.
SYMPHONIC POEM *
A full symphonic work in one movement which
tells a story in sound, often called a tone poem.
20th Century.
CHACONNE *
A vocal or instrumental composition in slow,
stately three-beat time with a Ground Bass.
Popular in the 17th Century in keyboard music
PASSACAGLIA *
Originally a slow stately dance of the 17th
century, this term now applies to a piece
with a theme which is continually repeated,
but not necessarily in the bass like a Chaconne.
Scottish styles/forms:BOTHY BALLAD
Folk song with many verses telling a story of
rural or farming / working life
GAELIC PSALMS
Unaccompanied songs sung in gaelic.
One member of the congregation starts
and the rest follow
MOUTH MUSIC
Gaelic nonsense words sung in imitation of
the sound of bagpipes as an accompaniment
to dancing
SCOTS BALLAD
A slow Scottish song telling a story
WAULKING SONG
Gaelic work song sung by women. One woman
leads and the others follow. The sound of
WKHWZHHGEHLQJ¶ZDXONHG·RUKLWDJDLQVW
the work surface is heard in the background
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JIG
A fast Scottish dance in compound time
MARCH
Music with a strong steady pulse with two
or four beats in the bar
STRATHSPEY
A Scottish dance with four beats in the
bar featuring dotted rhythms and a
Scotch Snap
REEL
A fast Scottish dance in simple time with
two or four beats in the bar.
WALTZ
A dance in simple time with three beats
in the bar
PIBROCH
Classical music for the solo bagpipe usually in
variation form
SLOW AIR *
A slow traditional song usually played on the
fiddle or the bagpipes
Jazz styles/forms:BLUES
Music written in 4/4 time and mostly
patterned in a 12-bar structure and on a
scale where some notes are flattened ²
the blues scale
BOOGIE-WOOGIE
Blues style for the piano where the left
had plays an Ostinato with the right hand
improvising freely
DIXIELAND
Performed by a small group of players
where group improvisations and solos are
popular
IMPROVISATION
Music made up on the spot by the performer
RAGTIME
A style of dance music popular at the end
of the 19th Century. Often played on the
piano and featuring a strongly syncopated
melody in the right hand against a steady
vamp in the left hand
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SWING
$MD]]VW\OHVWDUWHGLQWKH·VXVXDOO\
performed by Big Bands
JAZZ FUNK *
A combination of Jazz improvisation and
the amplified instruments and character
of rock.
Latin American styles/forms:SAMBA
Very lively, syncopated dance with 2 beats
in the bar featuring a set of percussion
instruments as the foundation
SALSA
A musical style originating in Cuba.
An important element is the rhythm
provided by a large percussion section
20th Century styles/forms:IMPRESSIONIST
A term borrowed from painting in which
musical ideas merge to create a rather
blurred and vague outline. Debussy was an
important composer of this style
MINIMALIST
A 20th Century development where simple
rhythmic and melodic figures are repeated
very slight changes each time
ALEATORIC
Chance music. Players have a free choice as
to the rhythm and pitch of the music. No
two performances will be exactly the same.
NEO-CLASSICAL *
Music written from 1929 onwards as a
reaction to Romanticism. Composers returned
to the structures and the styles of the earlier
period but included dissonant, tonal and atonal
harmonies.
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SERIAL *
Method of composition in which the twelve
notes of the chromatic scale are organised
into a series or tone row. The row can be
transposed, inverted or played in retrograde.
MUSIQUE CONCRETE *
Recorded natural sounds which are
transformed using simple editing techniques
such as playing backwards, slowing or speeding.
General styles/forms:COUNTRY
An American style of popular music
featuring banjo, guitar, drums and
sometimes vocals
GHANAIAN
Music from West India
INDIAN
Music from India using instruments such
as the sitar and tabla
INDONESIAN
GAMELAN
Type of percussion instruments from
Indonesia. The instruments are usually metal
and tuned and the music is built up in layers
POP
Popular music performed by a group of
musicians. Usually music that has been
in the charts
ROCK
Popular music with a steady driving beat
SOUL
Afro-American popular music including
elements of blues, gospel and conveying
strong emotions.
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