Music Theory IV

Split Member Chord

A chord played with half steps above or below the root, third or fifth

Cluster Chord

A chord that is played while adding major/minor 2nds ontop until no pitch is recognizable

Added Note Chord

Adding a note outside of the chord to dress up the note

Quintel Chord

A chord built on 5ths

Quartel Chord

A chord built on 4ths

Retrogradable Rhythm

A rhythm that is playable in retrograde (backwards)

Syncopation

Accenting a part of the measure that is not normally accented

Changing Meter

A shift in accents/syncopation

Meter

Grouping of beats

Asymmetrical Meter

The beats in the meter are not the same value

Added Values

Added on accents to dress up chords (Sharps, Flats, Stoccato etc)

Pitch Class

A pitch without regard of its octave

Pitch Class Set

A group of pitch classes

Normal Order

The basic form of the pitch class

Interval Vector

Characterizes the pitch class by intervals

Serialism

Strict ordering of pitch

Total Serialism

Strict ordering of pitches and rhythm, accents etc.

Focal Pitch

A pitch that gains significance through structure

Polymodality

The use of many modes that are aurally distinguishable

Scales

A series of notes ordered by pitch

Mixed Meter

Use of different time signatures

Additive Rhythm

Adding a smaller note value rhythm onto an already existing rhythm

Polytempo

Use of multiple aurally distinguishable tempos

Proportional Notation

Each note uses the same spacing along with the rhythmic value

Extended Techniques

Using your instrument for abnormal purposes in music

12-Tone Method

Using all 12 chromatic pitches in a musical composition

The Four Row Permutations

Prime, Prime Inversion, Retrograde, Retrograde Inversion

Minimalism

Using a little amount of colorization in music

Modernism

Rejection of the common practice

Postmodernism

The use of musical elements from modernism and after it

Electronic Music

Music created electronically

Music Concrete

Music created by recording natural sounds through a microphone or recording device and turning it into music

Aleatory/Indeterminacy

Music made through chance = randomized

Modes

Scales with different tonal centers, unique characteristics