DANC 107 Music and Dance Forms Final Exam

sound (auditory sensation)

auditory sensation produced through the ear by an alteration in pressure, particle displacement, or particle velocity which is propagated in an elastic medium (the eardrum)

decibels (dB)

measure strength/loudness of sound

hertz (Hz)

measure pitch/frequency of sound

normal hearing range (in Hertz)

humans can hear between 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz

amplitude (a)

distance from the horizontal center line of a sound wave to either the top of the crest (highest point) or the bottom of the trough (lowest point). measured in meters. greater amplitude= greater energy.

frequency (f)

number of waves passing a given point in a fixed amount of time. also known as pitch. measured in Hertz. one Hz = one wave per second

timbre

unique combination of fundamental frequency, harmonics, and overtones that gives each voice or musical instrument its own unique character. ex: an "A" note sounds different on a cello than it does on a flute

ADSR envelope

attack, decay, sustain, release. describes how a sound changes over time, can be used to technologically modify aspects of a sound.

ADSR: attack time

the amount of time it takes for the initial run-up from nil to peak. begins when key is first pressed.

ADSR: release time

time it takes for the sound to decay from designated sustain level to zero sound after the key is released

monophony

a musical texture involving just one unaccompanied melodic line

heterophony

a musical texture characterized by multiple simultaneous variations of a single melodic line

rhythm

the placement of sounds in time; always involves a relationship between a single accented beat, and one or two unaccented beats

harmony

the combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce chords and chord progressions with a pleasing effect

consonance

impression of stability and repose experienced when certain notes are played together

simple meter

meter in which the beat naturally divides by 2

compound meter

meter in which the beat naturally divides by 3

complex/odd meter

meter which contains both simple and compound beats

hemiola

a musical figure in which, typically, two groups of three beats are replaced by three groups of two beats, giving the effect of a shift between triple and duple meter. ex: "america" from west side story

upbeat

the last beat in the previous bar/measure which immediately precedes the downbeat

syncopation

a variety of of rhythms played together, to make all or part of a tune off-beat. disturbance or interruption of the regular flow of rhythm. placement of rhythmic stresses or accents where they wouldn't normally occur.

classical period

period of classical music from years 1750-1830

grave (grah-vay)

very slow tempo, 25-45 bpm

largo

slow, "broad' tempo, 40-60 bpm

lento

"slowly," 45-60 bpm

andante

tempo at a walking pace, 76-108 bpm

allegro

fast, quick, and bright tempo, 120-156 bpm

vivace

lively and fast tempo, 156-176 bpm

prestissimo

very, very, very fast tempo, 200+ bpm

piano (p)

soft dynamic

mezzo piano (mp)

moderately soft dynamic

fortissimo (ff)

very loud dynamic

fortississimo (fff)

very very loud dynamic, as loud as possible

arpeggio

chord notes played in succession rather than simaltaneously

legato

notes played with a smooth connection between them

pizzicato

plucked with the finger rather than bowed, as a string instrument

staccato

shortened and sharply separated notes

ostinato

a repeated musical phrase or rhythm

rubato

playing with expressive and rhythmic freedom

sonata

music performed by a piano, or another instrument accompanied by a piano

concerto

a musical work in which one solo instrument is accompanied by an orchestra

symphony

a musical composition for orchestras

suite

a group of self-contained instrumental movements of varying character, usually in the same key

sound (physical sensation)

organized movement of molecules caused by a vibrating body in some medium

wavelength (lambda)

distance between two identical points on the same sound wave. usually measured from crest to crest or trough to trough. measured in meters.

velocity (v)

how far a sound wave travels in a certain amount of time

duration

how long a sound lasts, from beginning to end

ADSR: decay time

the time it takes for the sound to go from its peak to the desired sustain level

ADSR: sustain level

the level during a sound's main sequence of duration, until the key is released

polyphony

a musical texture involving two or more melodic lines with distinct melodies and rhythm

homophony

a musical texture characterized by multiple melodic lines at the same pace, moving together harmonically

melody

a collection of notes grouped together as a single entity; a linear succession of musical tones involving a combination of pitch and rhythm. serves as the foreground of a piece of music

counterpoint

the relationship between two or more musical lines which are harmonically interdependent, yet independent in rhythm and melodic contour. the lines must have a meaningful or harmonious relationship, while still having a degree of independence.

dissonance

impression of tension or clash experienced when certain notes are played together

bar (measure)

segment of music bound by vertical lines, usually indicating one or more recurring beats

time signature

specifies how many note values of a particular type are contained in each measure/bar. upper number indicates how many beats in a measure. lower number indicates what type of note receives one beat.

polyrhythm

simultaneous use of multiple different rhythms within the same measure

polymeter

when two or more rhythms are played using different meters, but with the same tempo

downbeat

the first beat of a measure/bar

anacrusis

an anticipatory note(s) occurring before the first bar of a piece. also known as the pickup.

medieval period

period of classical music from years 500-1400

renaissance period

period of classical music from years 1400-1600

baroque period

period of classical music from years 1600-1750

romantic period

period of classical music from years 1830-1920

adagio

slow tempo with great expression, 66-76 bpm

moderato

tempo at a moderate speed, 98-112 bpm

presto

very, very fast tempo, 168-200 bpm

pianississimo (ppp)

extremely soft dynamic

pianissimo (pp)

very soft dynamic

mezzo forte (mf)

moderately loud dynamic

forte (f)

loud dynamic

crescendo (<)

gradually louder dynamic

diminuendo (>)

gradually softer dynamic

glissando

a continuous slide upward or downward between two notes. ex: dolby surround sound before movies in a theater

portamento

a smooth glide, sliding from one note to another

vibrato

a rapid repeated slight change in the pitch of a note

coda

the tail end of a piece of music

cantata

a medium-length narrative piece of music for voices with instrumental accompaniment. typically includes solos, chorus, and orchestra.

a capella

music sung without instrumental accompaniment

etude

a short musical composition designed to provide practice in the performance of a solo instrument

overture

an opening to a larger dramatic work such as an opera, ballet, or musical

opera

a dramatic work in one or more acts, set to music for singers and instrumentalists

strophic form (aka verse-repeating form)

AAA form. song structure in which all verses or stanzas of the text are sung to the same music. ex: mary had a little lamb

binary form

musical form that has two main parts, labeled A and B. usually follows AB or AABB form. ex: bach minuet in G

ternary form

three-part musical form consisting of an opening section (A), a following section (B), and then a repetition of the opening (A). ABA form

rondo form

musical form that contains a principal theme (refrain) which alternates one or more contrasting themes (episodes/digressions/couplets). possible patterns: ABACA, ABACAB, ABACBA, ABACABA, etc

cyclic form

any compositional form characterized by the repetition, in a later movement or part of the piece, of motives, themes, or whole sections from an earlier movement in order to unify structure

theme and variation

a formal technique where material is repeated in an altered form. changes may involve melody, rhythm, harmony, timbre, etc.

fugue composition

counterpoint composition in which a short melody or phrase is introduced by one part, and then successively taken up by others and developed by interweaving the parts