music for ensemble

What is monophonic texture?

A single melodic line

What is homophonic texture?

A chordal style or melody with accompaniment moving together

What is polyphonic texture?

A complex texture with multiple independent lines

What is melody and accompaniment?

A tune with accompaniment such as chords

What is unison?

All parts playing or singing the same music at the same time

What is chordal texture?

Music moving in chords (e.g. like a hymn/chorale)

What is a descant?

A higher decorative melody above the main tune

What is countermelody?

A new melody combined with the main melody

What is a round?

A short vocal canon

What is a canon?

A melody repeated exactly in different parts

What is a drone?

A long held note

What is 2–3–4 part texture?

Texture with 2

What is scat?

Vocal improvisation using wordless/nonsense syllables

What does improvised mean?

Music made up on the spot

What are blue notes?

Flattened 3rd

What is syncopation?

Off-beat accents

What is call and response?

A phrase sung/played by a leader and repeated by others

What is walking bass?

A bass line that moves up/down the notes of a scale

What is swing style?

Jazzy rhythm with triplet/dotted feel

What instruments form a jazz rhythm section?

Drums

What instruments may be in a jazz horn section?

Trumpet

What is the 12-bar blues chord pattern?

I I I I / IV IV I I / V IV I I (or I/V)

What is chamber music?

Music for a small ensemble originally played in a small room

What is Baroque chamber music?

Often featured one or two soloists with basso continuo

What instruments commonly formed Classical chamber groups?

Two violins

How many movements did Classical chamber works often have?

Four

What characterised Romantic chamber music?

Wider range of instruments

What is a solo?

A song for one singer

What is a duet?

A song for two singers

What is a trio?

A song for three singers

What is an ensemble?

A song sung by a small group

What is a chorus?

A large group (usually the full cast)

What is recitative?

Vocal style imitating speech rhythms

What is an overture?

Orchestral introduction to the show

What does the orchestra/band do in musical theatre?

Accompanies voices and underscores action

What are the standard voice types?

Soprano

What instruments may the band/orchestra in musicals include?

Strings

What is a piece for two performers called?

Duo

What is a piece for three performers called?

Trio

What is a piece for four performers called?

Quartet

What is a piece for five performers called?

Quintet

What is a piece for six performers called?

Sextet

What is a piece for seven performers called?

Septet

What is a piece for eight performers called?

Octet