| A | B |
|---|
| chordophones | an instrument whose sound is generated by a stretched string |
| idiophones | an instrument whoe sound is generated by the instrumen't own material |
| exposition | the 1sr section of a sonata-form movement |
| theme & variations | a theme repeated over and over each time with a variation |
| rondo | has a main theme (A) which returns several times in alternation with other themes: ABACA or ABACABA |
| chamber music | music employing a small group of musicians with one player to a part |
| development | the 2nd section of a sonata-form movement where the themes and the exposition are developed |
| string quartet | a musical composition for 2 violins, viola and cello in 4 movements |
| recapitulation | the 3rd section of a sonata-form movement in which the1st theme, bridge, and the 2nd theme are presented agin like in the exposition, all in TONIC key |
| countermelody | melodic idea that accompanies a main theme |
| serenade | instrumental piece, light in mood, usually for evening entertainment |
| symphony | orchestral composition in 4 movements that usually lasts from 20 to 45 minutes |
| nationalism | inclusion of folksongs, danced,legends, and other material in a composition to associate it with the composer's homeland |
| exoticism | use of melodies, phythms, or instruments that suggest foreign lands |
| lied | the German word for "song" -- a song with a German text |
| strophic form | vocal form in which the same music is repeated for each stanza |
| program | explanatory comments specifying the story, scene, or idea associated with program music |
| nocturne | slow, lyrical, intimate piece, often for piano solo, having a night theme |
| through-composed form | vocal form in which there is new music for each stanza |
| etude | a piece designed to help a performer master specific technical difficulties |
| program symphony | symphony related to a tory, idea, or scene, where each movement has a descriptive title |
| polyrhythm | use of 2 or more contrasting rhythms at the same time |
| atonality | absence of tonality |
| microtone | interval smaller than a half a step |
| membranophones | an intrument whose sound is generally a stretched skin or other membrane |
| aerophones | any instrument whose sound is generated by a vibrationg column of air |
| cultivated | music that has to be learned to be played beautifully; music that takes an educated listener to be appreciated |
| pentatonic scale | scale made of 5 tones used in folk music and music of the far east |
| glissando | rapid slide up or down a scale |
| rubato | slight holding back or pressing forward of tempo to intensify the expression of the music |
| incidental music | music intended to be played before and during a play to set the mood for the drama |
| sonata form | a form of one movement of a larger piece. It has 3-5 parts: 0 Introduction 1 Exposition, 2 Development, 3 Recapitulation 4 Coda |
| tone cluster | chord made up of tones only a 1/2 a step of a whole step apart |
| absolute music | having no intended association with a story, poem, idea, or scene; nonprogram music |
| neoclassicism | music portraying emotional restraint, balance, and clarity |
| twelve-tone system | all pitches of a composition are derived from a special ordering of the 12 chromatic tones |
| polychord | combination of 2 chords sounded at the same time |
| call and response | the phrases of a soloists are repeatedly answered by those of a chorus |
| aleatoric (chance) music | music composed by the random selection of pitches, tone colors, and rhythms; developed by John Cage in the 1950s |
| concerto | extended composition for instrumental soloists and orchestra; 3 movements: 1.fast, 2.slow, 3.fast |
| bridge | in the exposition of the sonata-form, a section which leads from the 1st theme in tonic key to the second theme in a new key |
| da capo | indicated that the opening ection of a piece is to be repeated after the middle section |
| sonata-rondo | a form combining the repeating theme of rondo form with the development section similar to sonata-form; ABA-development-ABA |
| cadenza | unaccompanied section of virtuoso display for the soloist in a concerto |
| motive | fragment of a theme developed within a composition |
| scherzo | ABA form, sometimes used as 3rd movement in symphonies, string quartets, etc. |
| impressionalism | stresses tone color, atmosphere & fluidity |
| primitivism | evocation of primitive power through insistent rhythms and percussive sounds |
| serialism | method of composing which uses an ordered group of musical elements to organize rhythm, dynamics, & tone color, as well as pitch |
| expressionism | musical style stressing intense, subjective emotion and harh dissonance |
| minuet and trio (or minuet) | derived from a dance -- minuet (A), trio (B), minuet (A) |
| tone poem | (symphonic poem): programmatic composition for orchestra in 1 movement |
| symphonic poem | (tone poem): programmatic composition for orchestra in 1 movement |
| romance | short, lyrical piece for piano or solo instrument with piano accompaniment |
| art song | setting of a poem for solo voice or solo voice & piano; stranslating the poem' mood & imagery into music |
| thematic transformation | alteration in the character of a theme by means of changes in dynamics, orchestration or rhythm when it returns in a later movement or section |
| ostinato | motive or phrase that repeatss persistently at the same pitch |
| polonaise | composition in triple meter with a stately character often for piano solo |
| program music | music associated with a poem, story, idea, or scene |
| leitmotif | short musical idea associated with a person, object,or thought |
| heterophony | simultaneous performance of the same melody by 2 or more voices or instruments but in versions that differ in ornamentation or rhythm |
| concert overture | independent composition for orchestra in 1 movement |
| idee fixe | single melody used throughout a long work to represent 1 idea |
| chromatic harmony | use of chords not found in the major/minor scale, but included in the chromatic scale |
| song sycle | group of art songs unified by a story line |
| passacaglia | variation form in which a musical idea in the bass is repeated over and over while the melodies above it constantly change |
| minimalist music | steady pulse, clear tonality, & insistent repetitionof short melodic patterns; dynamic level, texture, and harmony stay constant for a long time creating a hypnotic effect |
| bitonality | approach to pitch organization using 2 keys at one time |
| fourth chord | chord in which the tones are a fourht apart instead of a third |
| whole-tone scale | scale made up of 6 different tones, each a whole step away from the next, conveying no sense of tonality |
