harmony
the simultaneous sounding of different pitches
chords
(standard) groupings of simultaneous pitches that work well in combination
consonance
chords that sound at rest, happy, peaceful, etc.
dissonance
chords that sound tense, angry, violent, etc. synonymous with discord
texture
the way various sounds and melodic lines occuring simultaneously interact and blend with one another
monophony
the simplest texture- a single, unaccompanied melody. examples: gregorian chant, singing in the shower, a solo
homophony
1. a harmonized melody (singing with guitar chords)- one solo voice with background accompaniment
2. chords moving in time with one voice having the melody and the rest being background while still moving.
polyphony
two or more melodies happening simultaneously- the melodies are independent and of equal interest.
homorhythm
a kind of homophony where there is a “sameness of rhythm in all parts” or “very similar rhythm” as would be used in simple hymn or chorale settings
(#2 in homophony definition)
melody and accompaniment
one melody with chords and/or background (#1 in homophony definition)
counterpoint
the technique of writing two or more melodies that fit together
imitation
repeating phrases and chunks of music (this one’s obvious)
imitative polyphony
when the various lines sounding together use the same or fairly similar melodies, with one coming in shortly after the other. ie. a round(row row row your boat), fugue (stuff bach wrote), etc.
non-imitative polyphony
the melodies are different from another ie. a jazz band, with each section playing a different melody but each being equally exciting
tonic
the I chord, Do, the tonal center
tonality
the “homing instinct” we feel in melodies and most music
modality
the different ways of centering or organizing the diatonic scale. ex- centering around Do is the major mode, and around La would be minor mode.
major key
Tonality centered around Do
minor key
Tonality centered around La
modulation
changes in the tonal center/key/home pitch
form
the shape, arrangement, relationship or organization of the various elements
forms
standardized patterns of music
examples: aba, aabb, abcd, abacad, etc
basic factors are repition and contrast
genre
general categories of music defined by its text, function, or performers.
style
a combination of qualities that make the work distinctive.
examples: jagged rhythms, simple harmonies, emotional expression, etc.
style is usually influenced by the lifestyle and time the composer lived