Music 120 - Music Fundamentals Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards reviewing fundamental concepts in music theory, including rhythm, pitch, harmony, key structure, timbre, and African drumming.

Beat

The regular count or tick you follow in music. Example: Tapping your foot evenly 1-2-3-4 along with a song.

Rhythm

The pattern of long and short sounds and pauses in music. Example: The specific timing of a drum pattern or vocal line.

Rhythmic Pattern

A pattern of long and short sounds that repeats over and over. Example: The 'BOOM - BOOM - CLAP' cycle in Queen's 'We Will Rock You'.

Rhythmic Motive / Motif

A short rhythm pattern that comes back again and again in a song. Example: The four-note 'short-short-short-long' pattern at the start of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony.

Tempo

How fast or slow the music moves. Example: A fast dance song versus a slow ballad.

Meter

How the main counts are grouped into repeating sets. Example: A waltz counted in sets of three (1-2-3, 1-2-3) versus a march counted in sets of two (1-2, 1-2).

Syncopation

Putting heavy accent or stress on off-beats or unexpected places. Example: Clapping on beats 2 and 4 instead of beats 1 and 3.

Pitch

How high or low a musical note sounds. Example: The high chirp of a flute versus the deep rumble of a tuba.

Pitch Content

The set of high and low notes used in a piece of music. Example: A song that uses mostly high notes to create a light feeling.

Melody

The main tune of a song made from a series of single notes. Example: The main vocal part you sing along to in a chorus.

Melodic Direction

Whether a tune moves higher, lower, or stays on the same note. Example: A tune going up step-by-step (ascending) or dropping down (descending).

Scale

A set of notes ordered from lowest to highest or highest to lowest. Example: Singing 'Do-Re-Mi-Fa-Sol-La-Ti-Do'.

Scale Degree

The position number of a specific note inside a scale. Example: The 5th note (Sol) in a major scale.

Tonic

The main 'home base' note that a song centers on. Example: The note C in the key of C Major.

Harmony

Extra notes played at the same time as the main tune to support it. Example: Background singers singing behind a lead singer.

Chord

Three or more different notes played at the exact same time. Example: Pressing C, E, and G together on a piano.

Consonance

A blend of notes that sounds pleasant, smooth, and relaxed. Example: A peaceful chord at the end of a song.

Dissonance

A blend of notes that sounds harsh, tense, or clashing. Example: Pressing two keys right next to each other on a piano in a scary movie.

Cadence

A stopping point or pause at the end of a musical section. Example: A final chord that feels like a period at the end of a sentence.

Harmonic Rhythm

How fast or slow the background chords change. Example: Changing chords once every few seconds versus changing chords on every beat.

Key

The main musical system built around one 'home base' note. Example: A song in G Major where all notes relate back to G.

Mode

A specific pattern of notes that gives music a special mood or color. Example: The Dorian mode used in folk music to give a unique sound.

Chromaticism

Using extra notes that do not belong to the main scale or key. Example: Adding extra sharps or flats to a simple tune to make it sound more dramatic.

Modulation

Switching from one key (home base) to a new key in the middle of a song. Example: A key shift near the end of a pop song that raises the overall music up a step.

Timbre (Tone Color)

The unique sound quality of an instrument or voice that makes it recognizable. Example: Telling the difference between a flute and a trumpet playing the exact same note.

Instrumental Color

The overall sound quality created by combining different instruments together. Example: Mixing low woodwinds and brass to create a dark, mysterious sound.

Polyrhythm

Two or more different rhythms played at the exact same time. Example: Tapping 3 beats with your right hand while tapping 2 beats with your left hand.

Ghanaian Instruments (MUSC 120)

Traditional West African drums and instruments studied in music fundamentals. Example: The Atsimevu (lead drum), Gangokui (double bell), Atoke (banana bell), and Axatse (gourd rattle).