what are the elements?
Rythm, Dynamics, Melody, Harmony, Tone color, Texture, & Form.
Define Rythm:
the element of “time” in music (beat, meter, tempo, syncopation)
define dynamics:
The relative loudness/quietness of musical sound.
define melody:
the horizontal presentation of pitch.
define harmony
The vertical relationship of pitches.
define tone color:
The characteristic sound of an instrument/voice.
define texture:
The interrelationship of simultaneously-sounding musical lines.
define form:
The structural design of a musical work.
define duration:
how long a sound (or silence) lasts
tempo
The speed of the musical beat.
define:syncopation
An “off-the-beat” accent.
gamelon
percussion orchestra of indonesia
mariachi ensemble
mexican
japan
koto
rittardando
gradually slowing down the tempo
accelerando
gradually speeding up the tempo
rubato
freely and expressively making subtle changes in the tempo
meter
Beats organized in a recurring accent pattern.
pianissimo
A very QUIET dynamic level.
fortissimo
A very LOUD dynamic level.
pitch
The relative highness/lowness of a musical sound.
chord
A harmonic cluster of three or more pitches.
binary
“A B” form.
ternary
“A B A” form.
largo
A very SLOW tempo.
presto
A very FAST tempo.
theme
A melody that is the basis for an extended musical work.
sitar
A long-necked stringed instrument of India.
koto
A Japanese plucked instrument with 13 strings and moveable bridges.
‘Ud
A Middle-Eastern pear-shaped, fretless stringed instrument.
Erhu
A 2-stringed Chinese instrument.
kora
An African 13-stringed bridge harp.
darabukkah
A small clay Middle-Eastern drum that changes pitch by the player’s finger pressure.
tabla
A pair of drums used to accompany the music of India.
call and response
The native-African tradition of a leader’s improvised phrases alternatingly “answered” by a larger group.
improvisation
Creating new music “on-the-spot” (at the same time it is being performed).
polyrhythm
Several independent rhythms sounding at the same time.
bonang
A bronze “pot”-like instrument used in the gamelan.
shamisen
A 3-stringed Japanese “banjo”.
mariachi
A traditional Mexican group comprised of guitars, violin, trumpet, etc.
zheng
A large Chinese instrument with 13 to 21 strings.
pentatonic scale
A 5-note family of pitches (often used in Japanese music).
ravi shankar
India’s best-known guru/sitarist.
Bali and Java
are known for their Gamelan traditions
pythgoras (historical era)
ancient Greek
machaut (historical era)
Medieval
monteverdi (historical era)
early Baroque
weelkes (historical era)
Renaissance
perotin (historical era)
medieval
organum
a type of Medieval early polyphony developed c1200 by Perotin, that has a chant melody in long-held notes in the lower part, with choppy, faster-moving voices in the upper parts
madrigal
a polyphonic work for a small group of unaccompanied singers
estampie
a type of Medieval instrumental dance music
credo
one of the 5 prayers of the Mass “Ordinary”
haec dies
a prayer from the Easter Mass “Proper”
trio sonata
A Baroque chamber work requiring 4 players.
tutti
an italian term indicating for all performers to play together.
ostinato
a short melodic or harmonic pattern that repeats exactly over and over
fugue
a complex polyphonic technique of manipulating a musical “subject”.
concerto grosso
a work that alternates a group of soloists vs. an orchestra
ritornello form
tutti, solo, tutti, solo, tutti, solo, tutti, etc.
solo concerto
a work that alternates ONE soloist vs. an orchestra
opera
A theatrical work performed by costumed solo singers/chorus and orchestra.
oratorio
A long, sacred work for singers and orchestra that is not staged/costumed.
cantana
A short religious composition for solo singers, chorus and orchestra.
recitative
Speech-like singing in free rhythm with sparse accompaniment.
aria
A tuneful manner of singing with a steady meter.
basso continuo
The “back-up” band of the Baroque (usually harpsichord and cello).
suite
A set of contrasting instrumental dance movements.
what historical era is mozart from?
classical
what historical era is brahms from
romantic
what historical era is ravel from
modern
what historical era is beethoven from
classical
“Chamber music” is written for a small ensemble with how many players on each part.
one
brass quintet
Two trumpets, tuba, trombone and horn
wind quintet
Horn, oboe, flute, bassoon and clarinet
piano trio
Violin, cello and piano
string quartet
Two violins, viola and cello
string trio
Two violins and cello
Theme and Variations Form
A main melodic idea is presented then undergoes a series of variations (Theme, Variation 1, Variation 2, Variation 3, etc.)
Sonata Form
The standard Classic 1st movement design: a musical debate with Exposition, Development, and Recapitulation sections.
Minuet and Trio Form
Before 1800, the standard Classic 3rd movement design based on an aristocratic dance in 3/4 meter.
scherzo and trio form
After 1800, the usual 3rd movement design
rondo form
Commonly used in final movements, this form features an easily-recognized melody [“A”] that returns either two or three times after contrasting material (ABACA or ABACABA)
concerto
a 3 movement work for a solo instrument with orchestral accompaniment.
sonata
A multi-movement work played by a single pianist, or by one instrument with piano accompaniment..
symphony
A multi-movement work played by an orchestra.
string quartet
A multi-movement work played by 2 violins, viola, and cello
starting with midieval, list the eras in chronological order
midieval renaissance baroque classic romantic modern