Musical Features

73 flashcards · Music · by Marli Williams

1. Melody can be described by...

   Pitch - (High or low notes used) Interval Motif Range - (High or low range of notes used) Phrase Hook/Riff Counter Melody Repetition Sequence Imitation Variation Ostinato Inversion Retrograde Steps (Conjunct) Leaps (Disjunct) Scalic Chromatic

2. Ostinato

   Constant repetition of a certain idea

3. Variation

   Change the idea slightly

4. Imitation

   Repeated an different instrument

5. Articulation

   How a note is played

6. Staccato

   Short + Spiky

7. Accent

   Emphasise note

8. Legato

   Like a slur

9. Pizzicato

   Plucking

10. Arco

    Bowed

11. Tremolo

    Continuously play note

12. Vibrato

    Wobbling in pitch

13. Bend

    Bend string to one one to the other

14. Sforzando

    Sudden, Strong emphasis on note

15. Glissando

    Dramatic slide down lots of notes

16. Portamento

    Slide between two notes

17. Vocal Articulation

    Melisma Vibrato Portamento Falsetto Rubato Riffing Ornamentation Pitch Range A cappella Long Duration

18. Melisma

    Singing one syllable to a large number of different notes

19. Rubato

    Free tempo based on soloist / singer

20. Riffing

    Improvised ornaments

21. Falsetto

    Male voice singing extremely high notes

22. Pitch

    How high / low a note is

23. Interval

    Distance between notes

24. Motif

    A part of a melody

25. Phrase

    A melodic idea

26. Hook/Riff

    Memorable repeated melodic idea

27. Sequence

    Repeating phrase up or down in pitch

28. Imitation

    Repeat on a different instrument

29. Variation

    Change the idea slightly

30. Ostinato

    Constant Repetition

31. Inversion

    Play idea upside down

32. Retrograde

    Play idea backwards

33. Dynamics: ff - Fortissimo f - forte mf - mezzo forte mp - mezzo piano p - piano pp - pianissimo Crescendo - Getting Louder Diminuendo - Getting Quieter

    -issimo -te -mez -mez -no -issimo __scen__ __minuen__

34. Texture

    How layers are arranged in a musical piece

35. Monophonic

    One instrument/voice

36. Polyphonic

    Multiple interweaving melodies

37. Homophonic

    Melody + Accompaniment (chords)

38. Unison

    Two or more instruments playing the same thing at the same time

39. Parallel Motion

    Notes moving in the same direction w/ the same interval

40. Contrary Motion

    Notes moving in opposite directions

41. Antiphonal

    Call and response

42. Pedal

    Long/Repeated NOTE

43. Drone

    Long/Repeated NOTES

44. Harmony

    How chords are used

45. Triad

    Basic Three Note chord

46. Power Chord

    1st and 5th (no 3rd)

47. Arpeggio

    Playing the individual notes of a chord

48. Chromatic

    Using all notes

49. Diatonic

    Using only notes in the key

50. Dominant

    5th chord of a key

51. Modulation

    When harmony shifts to a new key

52. Primary triads

    Chords I, IV and V

53. Seventh

    Adding 7th to a triad

54. Tonic

    First Chord (note) of a key

55. Rhythm types: Dotted rhythm Swung rhythm Poly rhythm Onbeat Syncopated rhythm

56. String Instruments in order of highest pitch to lowest

    Violin Viola Cello Double Bass (Harp)

57. Brass Instruments in order of highest pitch to lowest

    Trumpet French Horn Trombone Tuba

58. Woodwind Instruments in order of highest pitch to lowest

    Flute Oboe Clarinet Bassoon (Saxophone)

59. Percussion Instruments

    Timpani Snare Drum Cymbals Triangle Tambourine Chimes Xylophone Bass drum Glockenspiel

60. Keyboards Instruments

    Piano Harpsichord Organ

61. Guitars

    Bass Acoustic Electric Rhythm

62. Tempo

    How fast/slow the music is

63. Largo

    Slowly - 40 to 60 BPM

64. Adagio

    Slowly - 60 to 75 BPM

65. Andante

    Walking Pace - 75 to 105 BPM

66. Moderato

    At Moderate Pace - 105 to 120 BPM

67. Allegro

    Quite fast - 120 to 155 BPM

68. Vivace

    Quick and lively - 155 to 175 BPM

69. Presto

    Very Fast - 175 to 200 BPM

70. Accelerando

    Gradually Speeding Up

71. Ritardando / Rallentando

    Gradually slowing down

72. Rubato

    Free tempo

73. Ritenuto

    Sudden slowing down