Music

Vocal Ranges

Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass

Soprano

Highest vocal range

Alto

Second highest vocal range

Tenor

highest male voice

Bass

lowest male voice

Motif/Motive

Short distinct melodic fragments

Soloist

people that have vocal solos

Theme

musical idea, building block

Form

theme and variations

Piano vs. Forte

Piano - soft, Forte - loud

Chromaticism

notes outside the key, makes melody more interesting

Fugue

contrapuntal composition based on imitation

Coda

closing section

Chord

combination of three or more notes

Melisma

Vocal words stretched across different rapid notes.

Ritornello

little return sections

Major vs Minor key

Major= bright, happy, Minor= sad, dark

Binary

: two part form , A-B, or with repeated sections A-A- B-B

Ternary

Three part form, A-B-A’ any section might be repeated indicates slight variation in the return of the A section

Homophonic texture

simpl, easy to follow texture with layers defined clearly by 1) principle melodic line, 2) supporting harmony (chords), and 3) bassline

Tonality

system of organization of harmony guided by principles of tension/release based on a “tonic” pitch of most stable rest

Scales

sequential collection of pitches I.E. ABCDEFG, scales are conjunct

Arpeggios

sequential collection of pitches belonging to chords that are broken up, not all at once. they are disjunct

Tonic

The pitch that defines a “key”, or harmonic framework of a piece, the “home”

Key

Harmonic framework that the harmonies/cjords/melodies of a work are based around

Basso continuo

A group of instruments providing the bassline and chords for a piece

Recitative

section of vocal music in opera that is in a decalmartory conversational style that moves the plot forward and sounds more like normal speech

Aria

a lyrical song sung by accopanied solo singer in opera, “highlight in opera”

libretto

text (lyrics of an opera)

program music:

music with a prescribed text, story or imagery

Absolute music

music with no prescribed text, story or imagery

Chamber music

instrumental music for smaller ensemble 2-10 players

multimovement cycle:

work with multiple movements or distinct pieces of mysic, usually 3to 4 movements with different forms

sonata allegro form

large scale classical form based on an expanded ternary structure. Three sections: exposition, development, recapitulation

Theme and variations

form based on principle theme that is then repeated

ritounello

oft returning instrumental theme