Bach brandenburg key terms

Answer

in a fugue, the subject (main melody) repeated in response to its initial appearance, usually a fourth or fifth lower or higher

Antiphonal

Music performed alternately by two groups, which are often physically separated (at different sides of the stage, for example)

Appoggiatura

An ornament (melodic decoration) often referred to as a 'leaning in' note.

Baroque Era

The period of music from 1600-1750

Basso continuo

Continuous parts provided for harpsichord AND stringed instruments such as bass viol, lute or cello. Continuo players add chords and melody.

Cadential

A progression of chords which form a cadence (a musical ending)

Canon

When parts copy each other in exact intervals, often at the fifth or octave, but at different beats of the bar, they are said to be "in canon". The song 'London's Burning' is a good example.

Chromatic

From the Greek for 'colour'.

1) Chromatic harmony - notes that are not diatonic (part of the key of the music).

2) Chromatic melody - ascending or descending in semitones.

Concertino

The smaller group of soloists in a concerto grosso

Concerto grosso

A concerto for more than one soloist. It is usually written in three movements in the order fast-slow-fast

Conjunct

Movement by step

Consonant

Intervals or chords that sound pleasant

Contrapuntal

When two melodies are played 'against' each other and interweave

Counterpoint

'Tune against tune'. The combination of at least two melodies with independent rhythms.

Countersubject

The melody which is played after the subject (main melody), or the answer, has been sounded.

Dialoguing

Playing one after the other, swapping ideas

Dominant

The fifth note of the scale, this is the strongest note after the tonic.

Figured bass

A form of musical shorthand in numbers that the keyboard player reads, in order to play the intended harmony. The numbers are obtained by counting upwards from the bass.

Fugal exposition

In a fugue, the initial statements of the subject (main melody) and the answer

Fugue

A musical form made up of an exposition, middle section and final section. The music is contrapuntal.

Ornament

Notes that decorate a melody. These are shown by small notes (grace notes) immediately before a note, or symbols above it. Examples include the mordent, the trill and the turn.

Passagework

A constantly moving passage of music, often in patterns of quick notes such as semiquavers. It often includes sequences.

Passing modulations

Modulations (changing key) where the new key only lasts for a few bars (or less) before modulating to another key.

Patronage

The system where composers earned money for writing music. The person who commissioned (asked for) the music was known as a patron, who was usually a wealthy individual..

Relative minor

The minor key based on the sixth note of the major scale. The relative minor shares the same key signature as that major scale.

Ripieno

The larger group in a concerto grosso

Scalic

Music based on ascending and/or descending scales

Solo concerto

A concerto for a single instrument accompanied by an orchestra

Stretto

When entries of the subject occur closer together than before, heightening the tension of the music.

Subject

The short main theme of the fugue

Ternary (or ABA) form

Ternary (or ABA) form

Unison

More than one part playing the SAME melody at the SAME time

Variant

a musical phrase which is a little different to the original phrase, but the shape is the same