music gcse 1

Pulse

The steady beat that runs through music

Tempo

The tempo of a piece is the speed of the underlying beat

Largo

Slowly and broadly

Lento

Slow

Adagio

Slowly and stately

Andante

At walking pace

Moderato

At moderate speed

Allegretto

Moderately fast in tempo

Allegro

Fast

Vivace

Lively

Presto

Very quick

Rhythm

Organisation of particular sounds by different length, the recurrence of music notes and rests in a time.

Metre

Number of beats in a bar ¾ 6/8

Functional Harmony

Baroque music generally follows a tonal system (major/minor key), using primary chords (I, IV, V) and their inversions.

Figured Bass

A system of notation where the bass notes are written out, and numbers (figures) indicate the chords above them.

Suspensions

Use of dissonance where a note from the previous chord is held over into the new chord, creating tension that resolves.

Basso Continuo

A continuous bass line typically played by a low instrument (e.g., cello or bassoon) and a keyboard (e.g., harpsichord or organ), providing harmonic support.

Rhythmic Drive

Baroque music often has a strong rhythmic drive with continuous movement, creating a sense of energy.

Patterns and Motor Rhythms

There are repetitive, driving rhythms often using dotted rhythms and ostinatos (repeated rhythmic patterns).

Counterpoint and Polyphony

The use of counterpoint (multiple independent musical lines) and polyphonic textures (more than one melody) is a hallmark of Baroque music.

Homophony

While polyphony is common, homophonic textures (a single melody with chordal accompaniment) are also used.

Binary Form

Two sections (A and B), usually repeated.

Ternary Form

Three sections (A, B, A), with the A section repeating at the end.

Fugues

A type of polyphonic form where a theme (subject) is introduced and then developed in different voices.

Ritornello Form

Common in concertos, where a main theme (ritornello) is alternated with contrasting episodes.

Terraced Dynamics

There is a use of abrupt changes in dynamics (e.g., from loud to soft) rather than gradual crescendos and decrescendos.

Improvisation

Musicians often improvised around a written melody or basso continuo line, especially in terms of ornamentation.

Complex Ornamentation

In addition to trills and mordents, musicians might add additional notes or run-like passages to embellish the melody.

Johann Sebastian Bach

Famous for his fugues and sacred choral music.

George Frideric Handel

Known for oratorios like Messiah and instrumental suites.

Antonio Vivaldi

Famous for his violin concertos, especially The Four Seasons.

Domenico Scarlatti

Known for his harpsichord sonatas.