Edexcel GCSE Music Beethoven Key Words

Homophonic Texture

A texture where all parts move at the same time but play different notes and so create harmony

Octaves

A texture where there is an interval of an octave between all the parts playing

Monophonic Texture

When only one line of music is being played - a singular note at a time

Melody and Accompaniment

When only one line of music is being played - a singular note at a time

Two Part Texture

When there are only two notes being sounded in all parts at the same time

Use of Thirds

When parts are played in thirds

Sonata Form

A large scale form invented in the classical era comprising of three sections

Exposition

The opening section of Sonata Form where the two themes are 'exposed'/heard for the first time, each in a different but related key

Development

The second section of Sonata Form where material heard in the Exposition section is developed

Recapitulation

The third section of Sonata Form where the two themes are heard again but this time in the same key

Coda

The final section of a piece of music. Usually comprises of material that has already been heard but used to create an ending to the piece

Subject

Used instead of theme in relation to Sonata Form

Tonic Key

The key that the piece begins in - the main key of the piece. The key is indicated by the key signature

Modulation

A change of key

Related Key

When the music changes key to a key that is related in some way to the previous key the music has been in eg dominant, subdominant or relative major or minor

Unrelated Key

When the music changes key to a key that is not related to the previous key the music has been in - it modulates to an unexpected key

Relative Major

The key that shares the key signature of a minor key (found by going up three semitones)

Subdominant Key

The key that is four steps up from the tonic key

Motif

A short repeated melodic line - the introduction is based on a 6 note one

Scalic

A melody based on a scale - is usually stepwise

Descending Chromatic Scale

A downwards scale that goes down in semitone steps

Ascending Minor Scale

A minor scale that goes up in step. eg the melody line for the first subject is based on a C minor ascending scale

Arpeggios

Made up of the notes of the chord, in either an ascending or descending pattern

Ornaments

Used to decoration a melody line

Acciacatura

An ornament that is played as quickly as possible before the main note

Mordent

An ornament that is a rapid alternation of the main note with the note above

Trill

An ornament that is a continuous alternation of the main note and the note above

Chromatic Chords

Chords with added notes that are note in the key

Diminished Sevenths

A four note chord made up solely of minor third intervals

Augmented 6th Chords

A chord that is made up of the interval of an augmented 6th

Perfect Cadence

A cadence that sounds finished and consists of chord V followed by chord I

Interrupted Cadence

A cadence that sounds unfinished and consists of chord V followed by chord vi

Pedal

A sustained or repeated note in the bass

Grave

Tempo marking meaning 'very slow'

Allegro di molto e con brio

Tempo marking meaning 'very fast and with vigour'

Common Time

A time signature which is the same as 4/4, shown using a C symbol

Cut Common Time

A time signature which is the same as 2/2, shown using a C symbol with a line through it

Continuous Quavers

An extended passage where quavers are the only rhythm used in the part

Dotted Rhythms

A rhythm in which the beat is unequally subdivided into a long dotted note and a short note

Septuplets

A group of seven notes to be performed in the time of four or six

Staccato Crotchets

Crotchet notes played in a detached style