Ch 10-13 Music keywords

overt

something that is clear, obvious, or easily perceived in a composition. Ex. dramatic dynamics or striking rhythmic patterns that demand attention

covert

elements that are subtle, hidden, or not immediately obvious.

underscoring

background music that plays beneath dialogue or action in films, television, theater, or other media.

staccato

term indicating that notes should be played short and detached, with a clear separation between each sound

parodies

humorous or satirical reworkings of existing songs or compositions

syncopated

a rhythm where the emphasis or accents fall on the off-beats or weak beats instead of the strong beats; common in genres like jazz, reggae, funk, and pop.

scenic cantata

a type of cantata that incorporates dramatic or visual elements, making it more theatrical in nature.

cantata

a vocal composition with instrumental accompaniment, typically made up of multiple movements; mini-dramas told through music but are usually performed in concert settings rather than staged like operas.

goliard

a wandering student in the 12th or 13th century who wrote Latin verse, lived in a convivial manner, and performed in minstrelsy

melisma

a group of notes or tones sung on one syllable in plainsong; creates a flowing, ornamental effect

duple meter

a time signature where each measure is divided into two beats, with each beat typically receiving equal emphasis; “strong-weak” rhythm pattern

marches

a type of musical composition typically written in duple meter, often 2/4 or 4/4, and characterized by a strong, steady rhythm that mimics the sound of footsteps

arranger

a musician who adapts and rearranges a piece of music, typically taking an existing composition and modifying it to suit different instruments, ensembles, or performance styles

strains

distinct sections or phrases within a piece, often found in marches or folk music

air pipe

a type of wind instrument or pipe that produces sound when air is blown through; usually used in early folk music

chanter

the pipe of a bagpipe with finger holes, on which the melody is played.

minstrel show

a popular form of entertainment in 19th-century America, typically performed by white actors in blackface makeup, and later by African American performers as well; featured music, comedy, dance, and skits, often portraying exaggerated and stereotypical depictions of African American life and culture.

clawhammer

a style of playing the banjo, commonly associated with old-time and bluegrass music. In this technique, the player's hand strikes the strings in a downward motion, using the back of the fingers (the "claw") to hit the strings and the thumb to pluck the fifth string.

dance caller

a person who leads and directs participants in folk or social dances, particularly in traditional or square dances.

lindy hop

a lively, energetic swing dance that originated in the 1920s and 1930s in Harlem, New York

breaks

short, instrumental pauses or sections within a song where the rhythm or melody stops or is simplified, often to highlight a solo or create dramatic contrast; commonly used in genres like jazz, funk, and rock, as well as in hip hop where they may involve a brief, rhythm-heavy section for improvisation or dancing.

backspinning

technique used in DJing, particularly in hip-hop, where the DJ spins a vinyl record backward to repeat a specific part of a track

MCs

Master of Ceremonies; act as hosts or performers, especially in hip-hop culture

breaking

a style of street dance that originated in the 1970s in the South Bronx, New York City, and is one of the four elements of hip-hop culture

commissioned

a piece of music that is specifically created or composed for a particular individual, event, organization, or ensemble, often for a fee

oratorio

a large-scale musical composition for choir, soloists, and orchestra, typically based on a religious or biblical theme; usually performed in a concert setting without staging, costumes, or acting

field hollers

a form of vocal expression that originated among African American slaves working in the fields

belting

a vocal technique used to produce a strong, powerful sound, typically in the higher register of the voice

tape loops

short segments of magnetic tape that are repeatedly played on a loop, creating a continuous sound