Music History (Level 9 History)

Idiomatic Writing

Highlights unique technical capabilities of an instrument. Opposite of “generic.”

Anacrusis

A pickup (upbeat, or last measure anticipating the downbeat).

Motive

A short melodic or rhythmic fragment used to build a melody.

Conjunct

Melodies containing mostly stepwise direction.

Disjunct

A melody with many leaps and changes of direction.

Phrase

A unit of melody that contains a complete musical thought (like a sentence).

Period

About 8 measures, with 2 phrases; used to create larger forms.

Sequence

Repetition of a short musical phrase at another pitch.

Diatonic

Melodies or harmonies built from the notes of a major or minor scale.

Form

Overall shape and design (of a piece).

Binary Form

A two-part form, A || B || , where both parts often repeat. Section A generally ends with an open cadence in the dominant or relative major key.

Rounded Binary Form

Two-part form, A || B + A||, where opening material from section A returns after B material. The key structure is similar to binary form.

Ternary Form

Three-part form, A || B || A ||, where section A generally ends with a closed cadence in the tonic key, and section B generally creates contrast in key and/or material. Often used in Baroque arias and Classical menuet and trio movements.

Monophonic Texture

A single line of unaccompanied melody.

Polyphonic Texture

A combination of two or more melodic lines.

Homophonic Texture

A single line of melody supported by a harmonic accompaniment.