Terms
I. Frequency- rate of vibration of a string or column of air, which
determines pitch
II. Notes- A musical symbol denoting pitch and duration
III. Melody- succession of single pitches perceived by the ear as a unity
IV. Phrase- A musical unit; often a component of a melody.
V. Cadence- Resting place in a musical phrase; A musical punctuation.
VI. Rhythm- the controlled movement of music in time.
VII. Countermelody- An accompanying melody sounded against the
principal melody
VIII. Meter- Organization of rhythm in time; the grouping of beats into larger,
regular patterns, notated as measures.
IX. Downbeat- first beat of the measure, the strongest in any meter.
X. Upbeat- Laast beat of measure, a weak beat that anticipates the
downbeat.
XI. Syncopation- Deliberate upsetting of the meter or pulse through a
temporary shifting of the accent to a weak beat or an offbeat.
XII. Texture– the interweaving of melodic (horizontal) and harmonic
(vertical) elements in the musical fabric.
XIII. Harmony- The simultaneous combination of notes and the ensuing
relationships of intervals and chords.
XIV. Chord- Simultaneous combinationof three or more pitches that
constitute a single block of harmony.
XV. Interval– The distance and relationship between two pitches
XVI. Tonic- The first note of the scale, or key; do.
XVII. Dominant- The fifth scale step, sol.
XVIII. Scale- series of pitchesin ascending or descending order, comprising
the notes of a key.
XIX. Tonality- Principal of organization around a tonic, or home, pitch, based
on a major or minor scale.
XX. Dissonance– Combination of tones that sounds discordant and
unstable, in need of resolution.
XXI. Consonance- Concordant or harmonious combination of pitches that
provides a sense of relaxation and stabikity in music.
XXII. Drone- Sustained sounding of one or several pitches for harmonic
support, a common feature of some folk musics.
XXIII. Octave- Interval between two notes eight diatonic pitches apart; the
lower note vibrates half as fast as the upper and sounds an octave
lower.
XXIV. Half steps- Smallest interval used in western system; the octave
divides into twelve such intervals; on the piano, the distance between
any two adajacent keys, whether black or white. Also semitone.
XXV. Whole step- Interval consisting of two half steps.
XXVI. Major Scale- Scale consisting of seven different pitches that comprising
a specific pattern of whole and half steps. (W-W-H-W-W-W-H). Differs
from the minor scale primarily in that its third degree is raised half a
step.
XXVII. Minor Scale- Scale consisting of seven different pitches that comprise a
specific pattern of Whole and half steps (W-H-W-W-H-W-W). Differs
from the major scale primarily in that its third degree is lowered half a
step.
XXVIII. Transposition- The shifting of a piece of music to a different pitch level.
XXIX. Modulation- The process of changing from one key to another.
XXX. Timbre- The quality of a sound that distinguishes one voice or
instrument from another. Also tone color.
XXXI. Imitation- Melodic idea presented in one voice or part and then restated
in another, each part continuing as others enter.
XXXII. Cannon- type of polyphonic composition in which one musical line
strictly imitates another at affixed distance throughout.
