Term
|
Definition
the quality of a note that distinguishes "high" notes from low "notes" |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
the number of sound waves per second |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
unit by which frequency is measured |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
variation in pitch over time; perceived as a series of intervals; a sequence of pitches in rhythm |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
quality of precision of pitch |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
distance in pitch between two notes |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
most fundamental interval; 2:1 frequency ratio |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
pitch frequencies that are played or heard in a musical system |
|
|
Term
twelve-tone equal temperament |
|
Definition
tuning system used in the most Western music |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
pitch towards which other pitches seem to be attracted |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
the feeling that a melody is organized around a tonal center |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
music that uses a tonal center |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
music with ambiguous tonal centers, multiple tonal centers, and sometimes no tonal center |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
music that intentionally avoids having a tonal center |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
a subset of all available pitches in a tuning system, often with impact on melodic motion |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
mode with five intervals within the octave |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
specification of a precise pitch as tonal center; a concept in music with a standardized tuning system |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
general direction of melody; shape of sequence of adjacent intervals |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
gamut of pitches from lowest to highest |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
range of pitches in a unit of melody in relation to the overall range of pitches in the tuning system |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
the point in melody that feels at rest and "having arrived" |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
the section of a melody between successive cadences |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
a recurring melodic fragment that signals a cadence |
|
|
Term
half-cadence, semi-cadence |
|
Definition
cadences that bring closure to a section of a melody but not the whole piece |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
added notes or other small changes in pitch and loudness that don't change the overall character of a melody |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
short melodic fragment, usually repeated |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
an entire melody recognizable as a discrete entity |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
largest levels of musical architecture that guide the listening experience, providing expectations (repetitions) and surprises (contrasts) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
a group of melodic phrases repeated over and over with different words |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
same melodic section with same words |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
sequence of new and repeated stanzas |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
repetition with some changes |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
repetition of same melody at different pitch level |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
shift of pitch that serves as tonal center; melody has changed key; or, new mode set on same tonic |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
after a melody is introduced it is played many times with changes |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
how music is organized in time |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
isochronous temporal grid |
|
Definition
constant brief intervals of time by which musical time can be figured |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
temporal unit at which musical rhythm is felt, to which the body moves; regular division of musical time |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
notes appear to have temporal patterning but without a constant pulse |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
rate at which beats occur |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
gradual slowing down of tempo |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
organization of beats, division of beats, groupings of beats into distinct temporal levels |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
beats are grouped in twos |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
beats are grouped in threes |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
beats contain two shorter durations; "simple" meter |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
beats contain three shorter durations; "compound" meter |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
a note whose onset is not on a moment of metrical stress that is emphasized in the music; rhythm that runs counter to metrical stress patterns |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
a beat usually located at the beginning of a grouping of beats that conveys a sense of expectation of beginning and that marks musical organization |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
giving emphasis to a single note |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
the term under which loudness in music is discussed |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
gradual increase in loudness |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
gradual decrease in loudness |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
musical result of different roles taken by singers and instrumentalists performing in ensemble; the relative importance and distribution of various instrumental or vocal parts |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
same melody performed by two voices at octave interval |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
same melody performed by two voices that maintain same intervallic separation |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
single melody accompanied by harmony; listener's attention is focused on the main melody; song's identity is a function of the main melody |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
listener's focus is shared among several simultaneous melodies without one melody being the main focus; several simultaneous melodies of equal musical significance |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
one melody performed in polyphonic texture |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
several melodies, guided by common structural principles, weave around one another |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
simultaneous variations, especially in rhythm; multiple musicians perform the same melody each rendering it slightly differently with ornaments and melodic variation |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
constant pitch played continuously as a background or reference point |
|
|