Orchestra midterm

What does the staff consist of in music notation?

5 lines and 4 spaces.

What are the different types of clefs?

Treble clef, bass clef, alto clef, tenor clef.

What does the top number of a time signature indicate?

The number of beats in a measure.

What does the bottom number of a time signature classify?

The type of note that receives one beat.

What is the definition of a half step in music?

The smallest interval in Western music, equivalent to one semitone.

What is a whole step in music?

An interval that consists of two half steps.

What are dynamics in music?

The varying levels of loudness or softness in sound.

What is a tempo marking?

A directive that indicates the speed at which a piece of music should be played.

What is articulation in music?

The way notes are played or sung, affecting their attack and decay.

What is a coda in music?

A concluding section that brings a piece to an end.

What does segno mean in music notation?

A symbol indicating a specific point to which the music should return.

What are rest values?

Symbols in music notation that indicate silence of a specific duration.

What are accidentals in music?

Notes that are not part of the scale indicated by the key signature, raising or lowering the pitch.

What is spiccato in string playing?

A bowing technique where the bow bounces off the strings, creating a light, detached sound.

What does 'tutti' mean in performance terms?

A directive for all instruments or voices to perform together.

What does 'soli' indicate?

A passage for a small group of instruments within a larger ensemble.

What is the definition of portato in music?

A style of articulation that is between legato and staccato, connected yet slightly detached.

How do you define and classify the Baroque period in music?

Characterized by intricate musical forms and ornamentation, roughly from 1600 to 1750.

What defines the Classical period in music?

Emphasizes clarity of structure and balance, generally spanning 1750 to 1820.

What are the characteristics of the Romantic period in music?

Focus on emotion and individual expression, from approximately 1820 to 1900.

How is the Modern period in music defined?

A time of experimentation and diverse styles, from 1900 to present.