Music Theory

Musical Theory knowledge

what is sequence

Repeating a musical idea at a higher or lower pitch

define mixolydian scale

A major scale with a flattened 7th (The major scale starting on the 5th note)

Scale degrees in minor chord

1 b3 5

define the form through composed

music that is continuous, doesn't have sections and doesn't repeat, (ABCD)

Ab Major

Bb Eb Ab Db, Fmin

What are the secondary triads

ii, iii, vi and dim(vii) chord

Andante

Medium slow

what is swing

Quavers being played long short

what is a coda

a section at the end of a musical work to conclude the piece

Scale degree 6 technical name

Submediant

Define Accelerando

Indicates a gradual increase in tempo

Scale degree 3 technical name

Mediant

Define monophonic texture

single melody

What is ostinato/riff

A repeating pattern (rhythmic or melodic) that usually has an accompanying role

Bb Major

Bb Eb, Gm

what is a staccato

Indicates to play short and sharp

define ff

fortissimo, very loud

what is treble clef

used by higher instruments/parts and Indicates the location of the G note on the stave

what is imitation

The repetition of a melody or phrase by a different voice or instrument

what is a slur

a curved line that connects different notes, indicating they should be played smoothly and well connected

define crescendo

gradually play louder

define the form Ternary

ABA

Define major scale (and mode)

Ionian, An 8 note scale that sounds happy, ordered TTSTTTS, do re mi fa sol la ti do, 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

What does a natural sign do

overrides key signatures or accidentals returning the note to it's original pitch

what is a scoop

a technique where the performer starts slightly below the intended pitch and quickly slides upward to hit the correct note

what is a sforzando

Indicates to play a note with sudden and dramatic emphasis

Intervals in major 7th chord

1 3 5 7

G major

F#, Emin

Allegro

fast

what is a repeat sign

indicates that a specific section of music should be played more than once

D.C. al fine

Indicates to go from the beginning to the end

Adagio

Slow

Define homophonic texture

a single melody supported by accompaniment

what is da capo (D.C)

Indicates to return to the start of the piece

F major

Bb, Dmin

Duration of a minim

has a duration of 2 beats (1 crotchets)

Moderato

moderate/medium

A major

F# C# G#, F#min

E major

F# C# G# D#, C#min

what is a dotted notes

a note extended by half of it's original value

Scale degree 7 technical name

Leading tone

D.C. al coda

indicates to go back to the beginning and play until the reach a specific marker, then jump to the final section

B major

F# C# G# D# A#, G#min

what is bass clef

The clef used by lower instruments, also called the F clef (Indicates F)

C Major

No #s or bs, Amin

Duration of a semiquaver

has a duration of a quarter of a beat (quarter of a crotchet)

Duration of a quaver

has a duration of half a beat (half a crotchet)

what is a bend

where a played string is then pushed or pulled perpendicular to the fretboard to increase tension, raising the pitch to a higher note

Intervals in minor 7th chord

1 b3 5 b7

define blues scale

A scale commonly used in blues and jazz with 7 notes, 1 b3 4 b5 5 b7 8

What is a triplet

Three notes played in the time of two of the same value

define diminuendo

Gradually play quieter

Define an accent

An emphasis placed on a note/s. Indicated by a symbol above or below the note, or an abbreviation

Scale degree 8 technical name

Octave

Define Major pentatonic

Major scale without the fa (4) or Ti (7)

Scale degrees in dominant 7th chord

1 3 5 b7

define decrescendo

gradually play quieter

What is compound time

organised into dotted beats that subdivide evenly into three or six

what is a trill

rapidly alternating between a principal note and the note immediately above it (whole step or half step)

Define rallentando

Indicates a gradual reduction in tempo

What is a duplets

Two notes played in the time of three of the same value

Scale degrees in major chord

1 3 5

define the form verse chorus

a popular musical structure alternating verses with a consistent, memorable chorus

Define natural minor (and mode)

Aeolian mode, sounds sad, 8 notes Ordered TSTTSTT, la ti do re mi fa sol la, 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 8

define the form theme and variations

a musical structure (often labeled A, A1, A2, etc.) that starts with a main melody (the theme), followed by several repetitions where the theme is altered while remaining recognisable

define the form sonata

Exposition, Development, Recapitulation

D major

F# C#, Bmin

what is glissando

A slide between two notes

what is syncopation

emphasising the off beat

define the form 12 bar blues

Standard chord progression: I | I | I | I | IV | IV | I | I | V | IV | I | I |

Scale degree 4 technical name

Subdominant

what is a tie

a curved line connecting two or more notes of the same pitch, indicating they are played as one continuous note with a combined rhythmic value

Db Major

Bb Eb Ab Db Gb, Bbmin

Define polyphonic texture

two or more rhythmically and melodically independent layers playing at once

what is a tenuto

Indicates to hold the note for it's full duration

What are the primary triads

I, IV and V chords

define the form Binary

consisting of a main theme and a contrasting section (AB)

What does a flat do (b)

lowers the pitch of a note by a semitone

Duration of a semibreve

has a duration of four beats (four crotchets)

what is rubato

Indicates to play with rhythmic flexibility, speeding up and slowing down for emotional effect

define double time

A compositional device where rhythm values are halved without altering chord changes

Duration of a Crotchet

has a duration of 1 beat (half the value of a minim)

define the form rondo

ABACA

segue/attacca

Indicates to begin the next movement or section without a pause or break

Eb Major

Bb Eb Ab, Cmin

what is fine

indicates the end of a piece

what is a fermata

indicates a note or rest should be held or sustained longer than its normal duration

What does a Sharp(#) do

raises a note by a semitone

define atonal music

Music that has no clear tonic or tonal centre

Presto

very fast

defin minor pentatonic

Minor scale without the Ti (2) or Fa (6)

what is pedal

A note repeated or sustained

D.S. al coda

return to the designated sign and play until the coda sign then jump to the final section

What is an anacrusis?

An incomplete bar at the beginning of a musical work or phrase

Scale degree 5 technical name

Dominant

Define harmonic minor

Natural minor with a raised 7th (#7)

What is simple time

organised into beats (1 crotchet) that subdivide evenly into 2 or 4

define half time

A compositional device where rhythm values are doubled without altering chord changes

dal segno

Indicates to repeat a section starting from a specific marker (segno)

what are first/second time bars

musical notation symbols used with repeats to provide different endings for a passage played multiple times