NCT Flashcards

Anacrusis

A note or group of notes that precede the first full measure of a piece, creating a sense of forward motion.

Phrase

A segment of music that functions as a unit, often ending with a cadence or a sense of completion.

Conjunct

A melodic motion characterized by smooth, connected movement, often in stepwise motion.

Disjunct

A melodic motion characterized by leaps or large intervals.

Stepwise

A melodic motion that moves in whole or half steps.

Antecedent-Consequent

A phrase structure where the first phrase sets up a question and the second phrase provides a resolution.

Period

A pair of phrases that form a larger unit, often with an antecedent-consequent structure.

Parallel Period

A period where the two phrases are similar in shape and content.

Contrasting Period

A period where the two phrases are dissimilar in shape and content.

Repeated Parallel Period

A period in which the two phrases are similar, and the entire period is repeated.

Double Period

A period that consists of two pairs of phrases, often with a contrasting middle section.

Introduction

A section that precedes the main theme or material of a piece.

Internal Expansion

A process of expanding or elaborating on musical material within a section or phrase.

Cadential Extension

An extension of the final cadence of a piece, often adding drama or emphasis.

Elision

The overlap of two melodic ideas, creating a sense of continuity.

Literal Repetition

The exact repetition of a melodic idea or phrase.

Imitation

The repetition of a melodic idea or phrase at a different pitch level or in a different voice.

Motive/Motif

A short melodic idea or pattern that is repeated and varied throughout a piece.

Theme

A longer melodic idea or phrase that is often used as the basis for a piece.

Motivic Transformation

The process of varying or transforming a motive or theme to create new musical material.

Variation

A technique of altering a melodic idea or phrase to create new musical material.

Melodic Sequence

A repetition of a melodic idea at a different pitch level, creating a sense of forward motion.

Inversion/Melodic Inversion

The process of flipping a melodic idea upside down, creating contrast.

Mirror Inversion

A type of melodic inversion where the melody is flipped both upside down and backwards.

Rhythmic Variation

The process of altering the rhythm of a melodic idea to create new musical material.

Augmentation

The process of lengthening the duration of a note or rhythm.

Diminution

The process of shortening the duration of a note or rhythm.

Rhythmic Displacement

The process of shifting the rhythm of a melodic idea to create tension or surprise.

Modulation

The process of changing key or tonal center within a piece.

Mode Mixture/Modal Borrowing

The use of notes or chords from parallel modes to add color and interest.

Ornamentation/Embellishment

The use of decorative notes to add interest to a melody.

Non-Chord Tones/Non Harmonic Tones

Notes that do not belong to the underlying chord or harmony.

Passing Tone

A non-chord tone that moves in stepwise motion between two chord tones.

Accented Passing Tone

A passing tone that is accented or emphasized.

Chromatic Passing Tone

A passing tone that involves a chromatic alteration.

Upper Neighbor

A non-chord tone that moves in stepwise motion above a chord tone.

Lower Neighbor

A non-chord tone that moves in stepwise motion below a chord tone.

Chromatic Neighbor

A neighbor note that involves a chromatic alteration.

Incomplete Neighbor

A neighbor note that does not return to the original chord tone.

Neighboring Group/Changing Tone/Double Neighbor

A group of three notes that includes a neighbor note and its resolution.

Appoggiatura

A non-chord tone used as a grace note before the main note, frequently a chordal tone.

Escape Tone

A note that moves in a disjunct motion away from a chord tone.

Suspension

A note that is sustained over a change in the underlying harmony.

Rearticulated Suspension

A suspension that is rearticulated or reattacked.

Retardation

A note sustained over a change in harmony, often creating tension.

Anticipation

A note introduced before its expected arrival, creating a sense of forward motion.