Exam 3 terms

Trobador

A medieval singer/songwriter that wrote in the courtly love tradition.

Art song

A musical setting of a poem, performed by one singer with accompaniment, often expressing personal experiences and emotions.

Classicism

A style where European artists copied ancient traditions of Greece and Rome; associated with enlightenment, science, and logic. Happened in the 1740s to 1800s

Courtly love

Unrequited love or devotion to someone who does not share that devotion.

Early music

Refers to instruments, voice types, and genres/forms from the middle ages that are non-standard today.

Common practice era

A familiar style of music we recognize, such as classical and romanticism.

Chamber Music

Private, recreational music performed at home, published for the aristocracy and upper middle class.

Salon

A social gathering in women's domain to discuss and learn from professionals; was important for women's education in medieval times.

Harpsichord

A keyboard instrument that plucks strings to produce sound.

Fortepiano

A keyboard instrument that uses a hammer to strike the strings to make sound.

Symphony

A musical work for orchestra intended for a larger public concert presentation.

String quartet

An ensemble consisting of two violins, a viola, and a cello.

Wind quartet

An ensemble consisting of a mixture of brass and woodwind instruments.

Romanticism

A movement emphasizing magic, mysticism, and personal freedom in music, with notable contributions from composers like Beethoven.

Opera

A theatrical form of music combining singers, acting, scenery, and performance, typically performed with an orchestra.

Diegetic sound

Sounds that characters and the audience can hear, like dialogue and sound effects.

Non-diegetic sound

Sounds that characters cannot hear, used to emphasize mood and atmosphere.

Underscoring

The use of music underneath dialogue to create atmosphere or convey themes.

Aaba form

A musical structure balancing repetition and contrast, common in classical, jazz, and some modern pop songs.

Minuet

A dance form that has influenced classical music, serving as a light contrast to more serious movements.

Participatory music

Music where everyone present actively participates, such as playing instruments or singing.

Presentational music

Music performed with a clear divide between performers and audience, like at a classical concert.

Lute

A plucked string instrument popular in European music from the medieval to the baroque periods.

Pitch

The high or low sound of musical notes, determined by the frequency of sound waves.

Melody

A line of pitches heard as a single tune, which gives shape and direction to music.

Harmony

Describes how chords and pitches interact, including concepts of dissonance and resolution.

Dissonance

When two pitches create a sense of tension or conflict.

Consonance

The harmonious sounding together of pitches.

Rhythm

The duration of notes or sounds in music.

Tempo

The speed of a piece of music, indicating how fast or slow it is.

Meter

The organization of rhythms into larger units.

Texture

The number of voices or melodies present and how they interact with each other.

Homophonic

A texture where there is a main melody accompanied by chords.

Polyphonic

A texture featuring multiple independent melodic lines.

Accompaniment

The supportive part that complements a melody.

Timbre

The distinctive quality of sounds, differentiating various voices or instruments.

Form

How a musical experience unfolds over time, organizing elements to express meaning.