Music midterm

Dynamics

Degrees of loudness or softness in music

Form

The structural organization of a composition

Cadence

the beat

Phrase

a unit of musical meter that has a complete musical sense of its own

Consonance

notes that sound good together

Dissonance

Notes that sound unpleasant together

Major

happy, upbeat sounding

Minor

sad sounding

Melody

a memorable succession of pitches

Harmony

combination of simultaneously sounding itches to produce a pleasing affect

Tonality

a group or a row of notes that has a fixed interval based structure

Triads

a set of three notes that can be stacked vertically in thirds

Meter

rhythmic pattern constituted by the grouping of called beats into regular measures

Tempo

speed of music

Monophony

single-line texture, or melody without accompaniment

Polyphony

Music with two or more melodies blended together.

Homophony

Melody with accompaniment

String Family (4)

Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass

Woodwinds (4)

Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon

Brass (4)

Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, French Horn

Percussion (1)

Timpani

Imitation

A polyphonic musical texture with subsequent voices start with the same material

Motive (Motif)

a leading phrase that is reproduced and varied through the course of a composition or movement

Medieval Chant

Monophonic, sung in unison, rhythm followed the flow of words

Church Modes

Modified major and minor scales often used in chants

Melisma

One syllable of text spread out over many musical notes (flair)

Neumes

dashes, dots, and curved, hook-like figures that could be used to represent musical tones

Organum

Medieval polyphony that consists of Gregorian chant and one or more additional melodic lines

Humanism (Renaissance)

puts focus on humans and emphasizes the individual

Madrigal

4 to 5-part work with one singer per part, mixing polyphony and homophony. Often features text painting

Motet

a short piece of sacred choral music, typically polyphonic

Text/Word painting

musical technique of writing music that reflects the literal meaning of a song

Basso continuo

Baroque accompaniment made up of a bass part usually played by two instruments: a keyboard plus a low melodic instrument.

Concerto

a multimovement work for orchestra and an instrumental soloist

Fugue

polyphonic imitation of a motif

Ground bass (basso ostinato)

The technique of grounding music over an unchanging bass pattern

Harpsichord

Baroque funky piano

Ornament

sounding fancy/extra

Patronage

person/church that pays musician

Ritornello form

A recurring theme played by the orchestra with contrasting material played by the soloist(s), with orchestral accompaniment. Part of Baroque concerto

Baroque Sonata

Exposition (main section: two themes) + Development
(unstable exploration of keys) + Recapitulation

Enlightenment

Philosophical movement emphasizing individualism, reason, and most importantly democracy, liberty, and equality
-led to a more populist and cosmopolitan style (music for all)

Rondo Form

Classical Form: ABACA form or ABABA form.

Sonata form (classical era)

Instrumental composition for solo instrument (often w/ piano)

String quartet

multi-movement composition for 2 violins, 1 viola, and 1 cello

Symphony

large-scale work for orchestra

Absolute music

non-programmatic/character pieces of Romantic period

Character piece

explicitly (e.g., through the title) expresses an extra-musical idea/mood. Can range from suggesting a mere vibe to being overtly programmatic

Art Song/ Lieder

Text set to music, usually voice + piano (German)

Nationalism

Emphasis on self-sovereignty, lead to nationalistic songs

Opera

Combines orchestra, singing, and drama

Aria

The main, memorable songs

Leitmotif

motives connected to a particular character, object, or idea

Libretto

The opera's "book" or text (plot, lyrics, etc.).

Recitative

Speech-like song; delivers key plot details.

Program Music

an explicit program/story or highly evocative title

Medieval Chant

Monophonic vocal piece
Sung in Latin
No clear meter
Modal sound

Renaissance Madrigal

Unaccompanied vocal work
Mixes polyphony with some homophony
Sung in Italian or English (not Latin!)
Text painting

Baroque Concerto

Alternates orchestra with soloist
Baroque orchestra (mostly strings + continuo)
Baroque in style: clear meter, driving rhythms, clear major or minor key, ornamentation, etc.

Baroque Sonata

Multimovement instrumental work in a variety of styles
Baroque in style: clear meter, driving rhythms, clear major or minor key, ornamentation, etc.
Either a solo instrument (keyboard) or a solo instrument accompanied by a harpsichord
ABA form

Baroque Fugue

Interlocked imitator
Polyphony
One subject would start then a few beats later the subject would repeat in combination with the previous sound etc.
The melody of the fugue is in different scales

Classical Symphony

Large-scale work for orchestra
Usually 3-4 movements
Typically fast-slow-fast
Consists of strings, two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, two or four horns, two trumpets, and two timpani.
Dynamic changes and homophonic texture

Classical Opera

Singing meant to represent speech
Conveys emotion through melody, dynamics, tone of singer etc
Classical in style: easy to follow, dynamics were changed a lot through songs, clearer breaks
Common instruments used to accompany the voice were pianos and clarinets

Classical String quartet

Multimovement composition
2 violins, 1 viola, and 1 cello
3-4 movements
Common forms are minuet and trio, rondo, and sonata

Romantic Art Song/Lied

Pre-existing poetry set to voice and piano
Expansive, unpredictable melodies
More extremes in dynamics
Music is meant to reflect the text

Romantic Orchestra

Usage of brass (emphasis on brass and percussion)
Percussion
Orientation
Clear-cut brass solos
Clear key

Romantic character piece

Express an idea/mood explicitly through the title
Suggestive titles
Highly evocative titles
Depicting a character/place
Can be overly story based

Romantic opera

Had themes of nature, the supernatural, the medieval era, madness, and the exotic-escape from reality. Gradual shift away from a predictable alternation of aria and recitative

Medieval Period

400-1450

Renaissance Period

1450-1600

Baroque Period

1600-1750

Classical Period

1750-1800

Romantic Era

1800-1900

Order of periods

Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic