TERMS FOR MUSIC APPRECIATION M.Fish SPRING 2014
DYNAMICS—synonymous with “volume”
FORTE—loud
PIANO—soft
CRESCENDO—become gradually louder
DECRESCENDO—become gradually softer
RHYTHM—defined, repeated patterns
BEAT—the pulse of a composition
METER—number of beats/pluses per measure (usually 2, 3, or 4)
MEASURE—metrical division of a fixed number of beats (like above, usually 2,3or4)
SYNCOPATION—placing the accent on an “off-beat”
TEMPO—speed of a composition (how fast or slow)- speed of the beat
MELODY—the “tune” of a composition; the part you might whistle
RANGE—lowest note to the highest note of an instrument or voice can produce
ACCOMPANIMENT—music that supports the melody
PITCH—highness or lowness of a recognizable tone
TONE—quality or coloring of a sounded note.
INTERVAL—distance between two pitches
HARMONY—combination of two or more pitches (sounds) in a composition
CONSONANCE—pleasant sound from a combination of pitches
DISSONANCE—harsh or unpleasant sound from a combination of pitches
KEY—a specific scale
SCALE—an ascending/descending array or collection of pitches
TRIAD—a three note chord
MONOPHONIC—all voices/instruments performing the same note at the same time as in Gregorian chant
POLYPHONIC—two or more independent melodies played/sung at the same time. Often they imitate each other as in “Row-Row-Your-Boat"
HOMOPHONIC—one melody is supported by accompaniment
FORM—structure of a composition
SYMPHONY—large composition for orchestra usually in 3 or 4 movements or sections
SONATA—composition for solo instrument
CONCERTO—usually multi-movement composition for soloist and orchestra (ensemble)
CADENCE—chords that bring music to a conclusion or end of musical idea
MOVEMENT—complete section of a major work
SACRED—music that is intended for church or worship
SECULAR—music that is not sacred
QUESTIONS: click to email me at mfish@nwacc.edu or MilesFish@mac.com
text me at 479-366-3331
DYNAMICS—synonymous with “volume”
FORTE—loud
PIANO—soft
CRESCENDO—become gradually louder
DECRESCENDO—become gradually softer
RHYTHM—defined, repeated patterns
BEAT—the pulse of a composition
METER—number of beats/pluses per measure (usually 2, 3, or 4)
MEASURE—metrical division of a fixed number of beats (like above, usually 2,3or4)
SYNCOPATION—placing the accent on an “off-beat”
TEMPO—speed of a composition (how fast or slow)- speed of the beat
MELODY—the “tune” of a composition; the part you might whistle
RANGE—lowest note to the highest note of an instrument or voice can produce
ACCOMPANIMENT—music that supports the melody
PITCH—highness or lowness of a recognizable tone
TONE—quality or coloring of a sounded note.
INTERVAL—distance between two pitches
HARMONY—combination of two or more pitches (sounds) in a composition
CONSONANCE—pleasant sound from a combination of pitches
DISSONANCE—harsh or unpleasant sound from a combination of pitches
KEY—a specific scale
SCALE—an ascending/descending array or collection of pitches
TRIAD—a three note chord
MONOPHONIC—all voices/instruments performing the same note at the same time as in Gregorian chant
POLYPHONIC—two or more independent melodies played/sung at the same time. Often they imitate each other as in “Row-Row-Your-Boat"
HOMOPHONIC—one melody is supported by accompaniment
FORM—structure of a composition
SYMPHONY—large composition for orchestra usually in 3 or 4 movements or sections
SONATA—composition for solo instrument
CONCERTO—usually multi-movement composition for soloist and orchestra (ensemble)
CADENCE—chords that bring music to a conclusion or end of musical idea
MOVEMENT—complete section of a major work
SACRED—music that is intended for church or worship
SECULAR—music that is not sacred
QUESTIONS: click to email me at mfish@nwacc.edu or MilesFish@mac.com
text me at 479-366-3331