question

Cadence

answer

Ending of a musical phrase

question

Cadential extention

answer

Extension of a cadence using the same chords

question

Coda

answer

Closing musical material, not included in the main idea.

question

Codetta

answer

A small coda

question

Contour

answer

Shape of a melody

question

Countermelody

answer

Melody that is equally important to the main melody; usually provides consonace

question

Elision

answer

One phrase connecting to the other

question

Fragment

answer

Part of a motive

question

Introduction

answer

A preparatory movement, usually in a slow tempo to introduce a larger composition. The term is chiefly applied to Classical and Romantic music, but is not exclusively applicable to those eras.

question

Bridge

answer

Connects the B and A section

question

Chorus

answer

A group of people singing a song, usually with multiple parts, together. The main tune.

question

Song Form (AABA, ABA, ABA', etc.)

answer

The form a song is in.

question

Turnaround

answer

Gets you back to the beginning

question

Twelve-bar blues

answer

I,I,I,I,IV,IV,I,I,V,V,IV,IV,I

question

Augmentation

answer

When the notes in a melody are increased, generally by half, in value. Antonym: Diminution

question

Conjunct

answer

Stepwise melodic motion

question

Diminution

answer

When a melody played in such a way that the time value of every note is shortened, generally halved, in value. Its antonym is ' augmentation'

question

Disjunct

answer

Melodic motion in intervals larger than a 2nd

question

Extended version

answer

wat

question

Fragmentation

answer

When part of the song is broken into parts

question

Internal expansion

answer

Expands beyond expect phrase length

question

Inversion, Melodic inversion

answer

When you take one of the upper notes of a chord or interval and take the notes bellow it and put them on top.

question

Literal Repetition

answer

When sequences are repeated exactly.

question

Motivic repetition

answer

When the rhythmic theme is changed

question

Octave displacement

answer

Taking a melodic line and moving the notes to a different octave

question

Retrograde

answer

Backwards modulation

question

Rhythmic transformation

answer

rhythm changes

question

Sequence

answer

pitch and rhythmic pattern, repeated and different pitch levels

question

Sequential repetition

answer

A sequence that repeats

question

Shortened version

answer

When a song is shortened

question

Transposition

answer

Change of key in the entire work

question

Truncation

answer

To shorten, fragment

question

Motive

answer

Smallest musical idea

question

Antecedent

answer

The "Call" in a call and response

question

Consequent

answer

The "Response" in a call and response

question

Contrasting period

answer

When two phrases begin different

question

Double period

answer

2 periods put together

question

Parallel period

answer

When two phrases begin the same

question

Repeated period

answer

Exact repetition

question

Phrase group

answer

Group of phrases that seem to belong together without forming a period

question

Refrain

answer

Similar to a Chorus; the main tune

question

Binary small form

answer

Movement with two main sections (AB)

question

Rounded binary small form

answer

A B1/2 A

question

Ternary

answer

Statement, contrast, return (ABA)

question

Solo, Soli

answer

Group of soloists

question

Stanza

answer

Different verses

question

Strophic

answer

Music repeats, lyrics change

question

Theme

answer

Main idea of the song, what it's about

question

Thematic transformation

answer

When the theme changes in the song

question

Throuhg-composed

answer

No form

question

Tutti

answer

All, everyone

question

Variation

answer

Material is altered during repetition

question

Capital roman numerals

answer

Indicate major triads

question

Lowercase roman numerals

answer

Indicate minor triads

question

Capital roman numeral with *

answer

Augmented triad

question

Lowercase roman numeral with °

answer

Diminished triad

question

Arabic numerals or figured bass numerals do what?

answer

Denote intervals above the bass and hence indirectly indicate chord inversion. Arabic numerals may indicate voice leading and/or nonharmonic tones.

question

Figured Bass 6

answer

Inidicates first inversion triad (third on bottom)

question

figured bass 6/4

answer

indicates second inversion triad (5th on bottom)

question

Figured bass 7

answer

Indicated root position seventh chord (root on bottom)

question

figured bass °7

answer

Fully diminished seventh chord (diminished triad with minor third on top)

question

figured bass ø7

answer

Half diminished seventh chord (diminished triad with major third on top)

question

figured bass 6/5

answer

first inversion seventh chord (3rd on the bottom)

question

figured bass 4/3

answer

second inversion seventh chord (5th on the bottom)

question

figured bass 4/2

answer

third inversion seventh chord (7th on the bottom)

question

figured bass 8-7

answer

suspension where the 8 moves to the seven

question

9-8. 7-6, 4-3 figured bass

answer

All indicate suspension and a melodic resolution

question

accidental before Arabic numeral

answer

alteration of an interval

question

a slash through one of the arabic numerals or a plus after the arabic numeral

answer

indicates that the note creating the interval in question is raised a half step

question

imperfect authentic cadence

answer

must end on I chord

question

perfect authentic cadence

answer

V to I; in root position; melody ends on tonic

question

conclusive cadence

answer

cadence ends on tonic triad

question

deceptive cadence

answer

V to vi

question

half cadence

answer

ends on V

question

Phrygian half cadence

answer

iv6 to V/V7

question

inconclusive cadence

answer

ends in something other than the tonic chord

question

Plagal

answer

IV to I

question

Augmented triad (*)

answer

two major thirds make up the triad

question

diminished triad (°)

answer

Two minor triads make up the triad

question

Major triad (M)

answer

a major then a minor third makes up the triad

question

Minor triad (m)

answer

a minor then a major third makes up the triad

question

Major seventh chord (

answer

Major triad with major third on top

question

dominant seventh chord

answer

a major triad with a minor third on top

question

minor seventh chord

answer

minor triad with minor third on top

question

Half diminished seventh chord

answer

diminished triad with major third on top

question

fully diminished seventh chord

answer

diminished triad with minor third on top

question

Tonic

answer

first scale degree

question

supertonic

answer

second scale degree

question

mediant

answer

third scale degree

question

subdominant

answer

fourth scale degree

question

dominant

answer

fifth scale degree

question

submediant

answer

sixth scale degree

question

subtonic

answer

whole step bellow the tonic

question

leading tone

answer

half step below tonic

question

tonic function

answer

ha

question

dominant function

answer

leads to tonic, sets up half cadence

question

predominant function

answer

sets up dominant tonic tonailities

question

Circle of fifths

answer

keys or tonalities ordered by ascending (for sharp keys) or descending (for flat keys) intervals of a fifth

question

deceptive progression

answer

The root of a secondary dominant can move up stepwise in its own deceptive progression

question

Harmonic rhythm

answer

The rate of chord change, or the series of durational patterns formed by the chord changes in a musical work.

question

modulation

answer

change of tone within a piece

question

common tone modulation

answer

using one or more tones that are common to both keys as an intersection b/w them

question

Phrase modulation

answer

modulations without common chords or tones

question

Pivot chord modulation

answer

using one or more chords that are common to both keys as an intersection b/w them

question

Neighboring chord

answer

lol

question

Retrogression

answer

series of chords that weaken tonality

question

secondary dominant

answer

the V or Dominant of a key other than Tonic

question

secondary leading tone chord

answer

A leading-tone chord that functions as an applied, or secondary, dominant; usually a fully diminished seventh chord.

question

tonicization

answer

a chord other than tonic that seems to the ear to be a temporary tonic

question

Arpeggiating 6/4 chord

answer

a 6/4 created by arpeggiation of the triad in the bass

question

cadential 6/4 chord

answer

a 1 6/4 preceding the dominant, often at a cadence, although it contains the notes of the tonic triad, it doesn't exercise a tonic function but rather serves as an embellishment of the dominant. it occurs in a metrically stronger position than the dominant and the upper voices most often move by step to the tones of the dominant. may also be written as V6/4=5/3, including the resolution of the cadential 6/4 to the dominant.

question

Neighboring of pedal 6/4 chord

answer

(embellishing 6/4, auxilary 6/4) occurs when the third and the fifth of a root position triad are embellished by their respective upper neighboring tones, while the bass is stationary, usually occurring on a weak beat.

question

passing 6/4 chord

answer

harmonizes the second note of a three note ascending or descending scale fragment in the bass; that is, it harmonizes a bass passing tone. the usual metric placement is on an unaccented beat and the motion of the upper voices is ordinarily by step.

question

anticipation

answer

approached by step or leap, same tone as following note

question

appoggiatura

answer

approached by leap, resolved by step

question

escape tone

answer

approached by step, resolved by leap

question

embellishment

answer

melodic decoration

question

neighboring tone can be known as...

answer

(auxiliary tone, embellishing tone, neighbor note)

question

double neighboring tone

answer

involves one note on top of the other

question

lower neighbor

answer

approached by step down, resolved by step to the original note

question

upper neighbor

answer

approached by step up, resolved by step down to the original note

question

neighbor group (cambiata, changing tones, changing notes)

answer

oh

question

ornament

answer

nonharmonic tones

question

passing tone

answer

approach my step, resolve by step, moving in the same direction

question

pedal point

answer

suspension of same note throughout

question

preparation

answer

tone preceding suspension

question

resolution

answer

When the dissonant note is changed to a consonant one.

question

retardation

answer

opposite of a suspension; resolves up instead of down

question

suspension

answer

a tone held from one chord into another, and then resolved down to the chordal note

question

closed position

answer

notes placed as close as possible on the staff

question

doubling

answer

to duplicate a note into another octave

question

open position

answer

wide intervals between parts

question

root

answer

the note a chord is built on

question

root position

answer

root is in the bass

question

common tone

answer

a tone that is common in two chords

question

contrary motion

answer

when two parts move in opposite directions

question

cross relation

answer

when a note sounds with its altered equivalent

question

crossed voices

answer

when an upper voice goes bellow a note used previously in a lower voice, and vice versa

question

direct fifths/direct octaves

answer

when the outside voices move in the same direction

question

oblique motion

answer

the relative motion of two melodic parts in which one remains in place or moves relatively little while the other moves more actively.

question

overlapping voices

answer

when an upper voice is lower than a voice lower than it, and vice versa

question

parallel motion

answer

when two voice parts move in the same direction

question

objectionable parallels

answer

no

question

parallel fifths

answer

when two parts move in the same direction, staying in fifths

question

parallel octaves

answer

when two parts move in the same direction, staying in octaves

question

similar motion

answer

In part-writing, similar motion is the situation in which two voices of the composition move in the same direction, either ascending or descending, but they do not necessarily cover the same interval.

question

tendency tone

answer

note that tends to move in one direction or another

question

unresolved leading tone

answer

when the leading tone isn't resolved up to the tonic

question

unresolved seventh

answer

when the seven in a chord isn't resolved down by step

question

voice exchange

answer

the repetition of a contrapuntal passage with the voices' parts exchanged. EX: Voice 1: a b voice 2: b a

question

arpeggio

answer

broken chord

question

chormatic

answer

not in the key a scale that moves by half steps

question

common practice style

answer

obeys two different kinds of musical norms: first, it uses conventionalized sequences of chords, such as I-IV-V-I. Second, it obeys specific contrapuntal norms, such as the avoidance of parallel fifths and octaves.

question

consonance

answer

pleasing to the ear

question

diatonic

answer

in the key

question

dissonance

answer

not pleasing to the ear

question

figured bass

answer

arabic numerals that tell where the notes in the chord are placed

question

flatted fifth

answer

flatted fifth note

question

lead sheet

answer

sheet containing words and melody for a song written in simple form

question

picardy third

answer

major third in tonic chord of minor key

question

resolution

answer

do i really need to define this

question

compound interval

answer

distance between two notes that exceeds an octave

question

half step

answer

when you move from one note directly to the next

question

interval

answer

distance between two notes

question

inversion of an interval

answer

to turn an interval upside down

question

perfect interval

answer

unison, fourth, fifth

question

major interval

answer

second, third, sixth, seventh

question

minor interval

answer

second, third, sixth, seventh. Lowers them by one half step.

question

diminished interval

answer

second, third, sixth, and seventh are lowered another half step from minor. unison, fourth, fifth are lowered from their perfect form

question

augmented interval

answer

when any interval is raised from its original form

question

Tritone

answer

augmented fourth, or diminished fifth

question

unison

answer

one note is played/sung

question

whole step

answer

two half steps

question

antiphonal

answer

responsive

question

articulation

answer

the style in which an individual note is played

question

arco

answer

with the bow

question

legato

answer

smoothly

question

marcatto

answer

marked

question

pizzicato

answer

plucking the strings

question

slur

answer

to sing to a single syllable or play without a break (two or more tones of different pitch)

question

staccato

answer

short, detached

question

tenuto

answer

hold

question

call and response

answer

what the name says?

question

dynamics

answer

marks the volume of the song

question

crescendo

answer

gradually louder

question

diminuendo/decrescendo

answer

gradually softer

question

terrace dynamics

answer

volume levels shift quickly

question

pianissimo

answer

pp very soft

question

piano

answer

p soft

question

mezzo piano

answer

mp medium soft

question

mezzo forte

answer

mf medium loud

question

forte

answer

f loud

question

fortissimo

answer

ff very loud

question

phrasing

answer

a division of a composition, commonly a passage of four or eight measures, forming part of a period.

question

tempo

answer

the speed of the piece

question

adagio

answer

slow and stately

question

allegro

answer

fast and bright

question

andante

answer

walking speed

question

andantino

answer

slightly faster than andante

question

grave

answer

slow and solemn

question

largo

answer

very slow

question

lento

answer

very very slow

question

moderato

answer

moderately

question

presto

answer

very fast

question

vivace

answer

lively and fast

question

accelerando

answer

gradually speed up

question

ritardando

answer

gradually slower

question

ritenuto

answer

gradually decreasing tempo

question

rubato

answer

to be played with a flexible tempo

question

accent

answer

stress

question

agogic accent

answer

stress given to a note through prolonged duration.

question

dynamic accent

answer

occurs when performer emphasizes a tone by playing it more loudly than the tones around it

question

metrical accent

answer

The pattern of strong and weak beats based on the "weight" of the downbeat and the "lift" of the upbeat.

question

anacrusis

answer

pickup note or figure

question

asymmetrical meter

answer

A compound meter with beat units of unequal duration. These irregular beat lengths are typically (though not always) created by five or seven beat divisions, grouped into beat lengths such as 2 + 3 or 2 + 3 + 2.

question

bar line

answer

the line that shows where one measure stops and one begins

question

beat

answer

the pulse in a song

question

compound beat

answer

a beat that subdivides into three parts

question

simple beat

answer

a beat that subdivides into two parts

question

changing meter

answer

a common trait in 20th-century music; time signature changes frequently and unpredictably; a rejection of standard metrical patterns in favor of non-symmetrical groupings (Bartok & Concerto for Orchestra)

question

cross rhythm (polyrhythm)

answer

Two conflicting rhythms used at the same time. Also known as polyrhythm.

question

dot on the side of a note

answer

takes half the length of the note its beside

question

dotted rhythm

answer

long-short rhythmic pattern in which a dotted note is followed by a note that is much shorter

question

duplet

answer

A group of two notes played in the time usually taken to play three

question

hemiola

answer

a shift in the rhythmic pulse from a division of 2 to a division of 3, or vice versa. i.e. 6-8 time meter into 3-4 time meter.

question

irregular meter

answer

asymmetrical groupings with different numbers of beats per measure

question

meter

answer

how the pulse/beat is established

question

duple meter

answer

2 beats per measure

question

quadruple meter

answer

four beats per measure

question

triple meter

answer

three beats a measure

question

rhythm

answer

the rate at which notes are played

question

swing rhythm

answer

Rhythm where notes with equal written time values are performed with unequal durations, usually as alternating long and short.

question

syncopation

answer

the accenting of musical beats not normally accented; notes that aren't played on the beat.

question

tempo

answer

the rate at which music is played

question

tie

answer

when a note in one measure is held into the next

question

time signature

answer

the top number is the number of beats in the measure. the bottom number is the note that gets the beat.

question

triplet

answer

three notes played in the space of one or two.

question

accidental

answer

alters a note up or down a half step

question

major scale

answer

In the key of C (up and down): C D E F G A B C B A G F E D C

question

harmonic minor scale

answer

In the key of a (up and down): a b c d e f g# a g# f e d c b a

question

Melodic minor scale

answer

in the key of a (up and down): a b c d e f# g# a g f e d c b a

question

Ionian scale

answer

A major scale

question

Dorian scale

answer

natural minor with a raised 6

question

phrygian scale

answer

natural minor with a flat 2

question

lydian scale

answer

major scale with raised 4

question

mixolydian scale

answer

major scale with flat 7

question

aeolian scale

answer

natural minor scale

question

locrian scale

answer

natural minor scale with a flat 2 and 5

question

modality

answer

the state of being modal

question

parallel key

answer

two keys that share the same tonic but NOT the same key

question

pentatonic

answer

scale that has five notes to an octave (think Asian music)

question

relative key

answer

2 scales that have the same key, but not the same tonic.

question

tetrachord

answer

Series of four notes having a pattern of whole step, whole step, half step

question

tonality, tonal

answer

Principle of organization around a tonic, or home, pitch, based on a major or minor scale.

question

whole tone scale

answer

moving only by whole steps

question

melismatic

answer

notes sung to one syllable

question

syllabic

answer

one note per syllable

question

alberti bass

answer

1 5 3 5; broken base

question

canon

answer

a contrapuntal piece of music in which a melody in one part is imitated exactly in other parts, starting at different points.

question

chordal accompaniment

answer

The underlying harmonic support for a melody; chords may be blocked or broken.

question

contrapuntal, counterpoint

answer

voices working against each other

question

imitation

answer

a copy that is represented as the original

question

imitative polyphony

answer

technique in which each phrase of a composition is addressed by all the voices, which enter successively in imitation of each other

question

nonimitative polyphony

answer

two or more melodic lines playing distinct melodies

question

countermelody

answer

Accompanying melody sounding against the principle melody

question

fugal imitation

answer

imitation of the subject which enters at a different pitch level; almost like a sequence

question

heterophony, heterophonic

answer

one melodic line being improvised upon

question

homophony, homophonic

answer

melodic accompaniment

question

chordal homphony

answer

sameness, regarding rhythm and melody

question

chordal texture (homorhythmic)

answer

a type of homophonic texture, with pitches sounding simultaneously

question

brass

answer

the section of a band or orchestra that plays brass instruments

question

continuo

answer

a bass part written out in full and accompanied by numbers to indicate the chords to be played

question

percussion

answer

the section of a band or orchestra that plays percussion instruments

question

rhythm section

answer

the section within a jazz band, usually consisting of drums, double bass, piano, banjo, and/or guitar, that establishes the harmony and rhythm

question

strings

answer

the section of an orchestra that plays stringed instruments

question

timbre

answer

the distinguishing quality of a sound

question

woodwinds

answer

wind instruments that include the piccolo, flute, oboe, english horn, clarinet, bassoon, and saxophone

question

monophony, monophonic

answer

one tone

question

obbligato

answer

a part of the score that must be performed without change or omission

question

ostinato

answer

a musical phrase repeated over and over during a composition

question

polyphony, polyphonic

answer

many voices/tones

question

contrapuntal

answer

having two or more independent but harmonically related melodic parts sounding together

question

tessitura

answer

most widely used range of pitches in a piece of music

question

walking bass

answer

a bass line that moves at a moderate pace, mostly in equal note values, and often stepwise up or down the scale

question

Aria

answer

A song from a larger work

question

Art song

answer

a song that stands alone

question

concterto

answer

solo instrument and orchestra

question

fugue

answer

a musical form consisting of a theme repeated a fifth above or a fourth below its first statement

question

genre

answer

style, category of music

question

opera

answer

staged vocal work

question

prelude

answer

a part of a song before the main section

question

postlude

answer

a part of the song after the main section

question

sonata

answer

ABA form

question

string quartet

answer

2 violins, a viola, and a cello

question

symphony

answer

a piece for an orchestra with many movements.

question

modulation

answer

a change of key within a piece

question

pizzicado

answer

plucked string (tighten or loosen pegs to change pitch)

question

Changing tone

answer

Approach by step, jump a third, resolve by step to the original note.

AP Music Theory vocabulary list – Flashcards

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