Music Appreciation Class - Test 1 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is rhythm?

The organization of beats into groups

The surface activity of music based on duration of musical sounds (correct)

The underlying pulse of music

The rate of speed of beats

What is beat in music?

The underlying pulse of music, equal sounds

Define tempo.

Rate of speed of beats

What is meter in music?

The organization of beats into groups or patterns Signup and view all the answers

What is duple meter?

I>uI>uI Signup and view all the answers

Define triple meter.

I>uuI>uuI Signup and view all the answers

What is quadruple meter?

I>u>uI>u>uI Signup and view all the answers

What is a measure in music?

The length of a pattern of beats Signup and view all the answers

What are bar lines?

The vertical lines that show where beat patterns begin and end Signup and view all the answers

What does non-metric music refer to?

Music that has no strong sense of beat or meter Signup and view all the answers

Define syncopation in music.

The stressing of normally unstressed beats Signup and view all the answers

What is a melody?

The succession of single pitches set to rhythm Signup and view all the answers

What does interval mean in music?

The distance between two pitches Signup and view all the answers

Define melodic structure.

Melodies often mirror linguistic structure Signup and view all the answers

What is a phrase in music?

A more or less incomplete melodic idea that ends with a cadence Signup and view all the answers

What is a cadence?

A resting point in music that occurs at the end of phrases Signup and view all the answers

What is an incomplete cadence?

Resting point where it feels like the music must continue Signup and view all the answers

What does a complete cadence signify?

The point in music where the listener feels like the piece is complete Signup and view all the answers

Define a musical sentence.

A complete musical thought that ends with a complete cadence Signup and view all the answers

What is a sequence in music?

Repeating a melodic fragment at different pitch levels Signup and view all the answers

What is harmony?

The sounding together of two or more notes Signup and view all the answers

Define a chord.

Three or more notes sounded together, building block of harmony Signup and view all the answers

What is a broken chord?

Refers to playing the notes of a chord separately Signup and view all the answers

What does progression mean in music?

The movement from one chord to another Signup and view all the answers

What is a scale?

A series of pitches arranged in order Signup and view all the answers

Define tonic.

The first and most important note of a scale, often referred to as key or keynote Signup and view all the answers

What is major mode characterized by?

Happy sound Signup and view all the answers

Define minor mode.

Sad sound Signup and view all the answers

What does modulation refer to in music?

Movement from one key to another Signup and view all the answers

What is consonance?

Combos of pitches that sound pleasing Signup and view all the answers

Define dissonance.

Combos of pitches that sound displeasing Signup and view all the answers

What is musical texture?

How musical layers are heard at once and how they relate to each other Signup and view all the answers

Define monophonic texture.

Single unaccompanied melodic line Signup and view all the answers

What is polyphonic texture?

Layering of melodies Signup and view all the answers

What does imitation mean in music?

Melodic idea presented in one part and then restated in others Signup and view all the answers

What is another word for polyphonic texture?

Counterpart Signup and view all the answers

Define homophonic texture.

Melody accompanied by harmony (chords) Signup and view all the answers

What is inversion in music?

Upside down melody Signup and view all the answers

Define retrograde.

Backwards melody Signup and view all the answers

What does augmentation mean?

Making note values sound longer Signup and view all the answers

Define diminution.

Making note values sound shorter Signup and view all the answers

What is musical form?

Arrangement of musical ideas Signup and view all the answers

What does repetition mean in music?

Restatement of a musical idea or section Signup and view all the answers

Define contrast in music.

Change in the music Signup and view all the answers

What does variation mean?

Changed version of something that was heard before Signup and view all the answers

What is binary form?

AB Signup and view all the answers

Define ternary form.

ABA Signup and view all the answers

What is a theme in music?

Melodic idea that serves as a building block of a composition Signup and view all the answers

What is a motive?

Smallest building block of music Signup and view all the answers

What does movement refer to in music?

Complete musical unit in a multimovement work Signup and view all the answers

What does dynamics refer to?

Loudness or softness Signup and view all the answers

Define pizzicato.

Plucking string with finger Signup and view all the answers

What is a double stop?

Plucking two strings at same time Signup and view all the answers

What does vibrato mean?

Rocking finger on string Signup and view all the answers

Define tremolo.

Rapid bowing of the same note Signup and view all the answers

What are harmonics?

Delicate high pitches produced by lightly touching the string when playing Signup and view all the answers

What is a mute?

Device that softens tone Signup and view all the answers

Define single reed instruments.

Clarinets, saxophones Signup and view all the answers

What are double reed instruments?

Oboe, English horn, bassoon Signup and view all the answers

What does articulation mean?

Manner in which notes are played Signup and view all the answers

What is legato?

Notes smoothly connected Signup and view all the answers

Define staccato.

Notes are separated Signup and view all the answers

What does genre mean?

Broad category of works Signup and view all the answers

What is medium in music?

Instruments that perform a piece of music Signup and view all the answers

What are the years for the medieval period/middle ages?

450-1450 Signup and view all the answers

Define sacred music.

Music used in worship and other religious rituals Signup and view all the answers

What is secular music?

Nonreligious music Signup and view all the answers

Define Gregorian chant.

Official liturgical music of Roman Catholic Church Signup and view all the answers

What is a syllabic setting in music?

Text set with one syllable per note Signup and view all the answers

Define melismatic.

Text set with many notes on one syllable Signup and view all the answers

What are old church modes?

Scales used in the medieval and Renaissance periods, different arrangements of half and whole steps Signup and view all the answers

Define organum.

Refers to the first example of polyphonic music, originating around 1000AD Signup and view all the answers

What is the mass?

The official liturgical rite of the Roman Catholic Church Signup and view all the answers

Define motet.

A sacred vocal composition in polyphonic texture with a Latin text, sung a cappella Signup and view all the answers

What are troubadours/trouveres?

Higher-class poet singer-composer musicians Signup and view all the answers

Define jongleurs.

Rather seedy, despicable characters of lower social order Signup and view all the answers

What is Machaut known for?

The most important composer of the 14th century, most famous for writing the complete setting of the ordinary of the mass Signup and view all the answers

Define chanson.

Songs based on poems of courtly love and chivalry Signup and view all the answers

What are the years for the Renaissance period?

1450-1600 Signup and view all the answers

What is a cappella music?

Vocal music without instrumental accompaniment Signup and view all the answers

What is word painting in music?

Use of musical gesture to depict textual meaning Signup and view all the answers

Who is Josquin?

Most significant composer of the Renaissance who flourished about 1500 Signup and view all the answers

What is the ordinary of the mass?

Notre Dame Mass Signup and view all the answers

What does Kyrie mean?

Mercy Signup and view all the answers

What does Gloria mean?

Praise Signup and view all the answers

What does Credo refer to?

Statement of beliefs Signup and view all the answers

What does Sanctus mean?

Praise Signup and view all the answers

What does Agnus Dei mean?

Mercy Signup and view all the answers

What is Palestrina known for?

Sets the text often in homophonic texture so that words can be easily understood Signup and view all the answers

What is a madrigal?

The secular counterpart of the motet, source of entertainment, texts dealing with pastoral or amorous subjects Signup and view all the answers

Define reformation/counter-reformation.

Rejection of Catholic Church authority Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Music Terminology

Rhythm: Surface activity based on sound duration in music.
Beat: Underlying pulse of music, characterized by equal sounds.
Tempo: Speed at which beats occur.
Meter: Organization of beats into structured groups or patterns.
Duple Meter: Musical pattern of strong-weak beats (I>uI>uI).
Triple Meter: Musical pattern of strong-weak-weak beats (I>uuI>uuI).
Quadruple Meter: Musical pattern with a strong-weak- medium-weak structure (I>u>uI>u>uI).
Measure: Length of a specific pattern of beats.
Bar Lines: Vertical lines indicating the start and end of beat patterns.
Non-Metric: Music lacking a strong sense of beat or meter.

Musical Expression

Syncopation: Accentuation of beats that are typically unstressed.
Melody: Sequence of single pitches arranged rhythmically.
Interval: Distance between two musical pitches.
Melodic Structure: Melodies reflect linguistic patterns.
Phrase: Incomplete melodic idea typically concluded by a cadence.
Cadence: Resting point marking the end of a musical phrase.
Incomplete Cadence: Suggests continuation after a resting point.
Complete Cadence: Signifies closure and completion of a piece.
Musical Sentence: Complete thought in music concluding with a complete cadence.

Harmony and Chords

Sequence: Repetition of a melodic fragment at varying pitch levels.
Harmony: The simultaneous sounding of two or more notes.
Chord: A grouping of three or more notes.
Broken Chord: Playing the notes of a chord individually.
Progression: Transition from one chord to another.
Scale: Ordered series of pitches.
Tonic: First and most crucial note of a scale, often called the key.
Major Mode: Typically associated with a happy sound.
Minor Mode: Often evokes a sad sound.
Modulation: Shift from one key to another.

Musical Texture

Consonance: Pleasing combinations of pitches.
Dissonance: Clashing combinations of pitches.
Musical Texture: Relationship and layering of musical sounds.
Monophonic Texture: Single, unaccompanied melodic line.
Polyphonic Texture: Multiple melodies layered together.
Imitation: Melodic idea presented and restated in different parts.
Counterpoint: Alternative reference for polyphonic texture.
Homophonic Texture: A melody accompanied by chords or harmony.

Melodic Techniques

Inversion: Melody presented upside down.
Retrograde: Melody played backwards.
Augmentation: Lengthening the duration of musical notes.
Diminution: Shortening the duration of musical notes.

Musical Structure

Musical Form: Arrangement of musical ideas.
Repetition: Restatement of a musical idea or section.
Contrast: Variability in the music.
Variation: Modified version of previously heard material.
Binary Form: Structure consisting of two contrasting sections (AB).
Ternary Form: Form with three sections, typically ABA.
Theme: Melodic idea serving as a foundational element of a composition.
Motive: Smallest building block of music.
Movement: Complete musical unit within a larger work.

Dynamics and Articulation

Dynamics: Variations in loudness and softness.
Pizzicato: Technique of plucking strings with fingers.
Double Stop: Plucking two strings simultaneously.
Vibrato: Rocking motion of the finger on a string.
Tremolo: Rapid bowing of a single note.
Harmonics: High pitches obtained by lightly touching a string.
Mute: Device used to soften the tone of an instrument.

Instrument Classification

Single Reed Instruments: Include clarinets and saxophones.
Double Reed Instruments: Include oboe, English horn, and bassoon.
Articulation: Manner in which individual notes are played.
Legato: Smooth and connected notes.
Staccato: Notes played in a detached manner.

Historical Context

Genre: Broad categories of musical works.
Medium: Instruments used to perform music.
Medieval Period (Middle Ages): 450-1450.
Sacred Music: Music associated with religious worship.
Secular Music: Non-religious musical expressions.

Noteworthy Concepts

Gregorian Chant: Official chant of the Roman Catholic Church.
Syllabic: Each syllable set to one note.
Melismatic: Multiple notes for a single syllable.
Old Church Modes: Scales from medieval and renaissance periods.
Organum: Early example of polyphonic music from around 1000 AD.
The Mass: Official liturgical rite of the Roman Catholic Church.
Motet: Sacred vocal composition in polyphony, typically a cappella.
Troubadours/Trouveres: Higher-class poet-singer-composers.
Jongleurs: Lower-class performers with a less reputable status.
Machaut: Key 14th-century composer, noted for his mass settings.
Chanson: Songs derived from courtly love poetry.

Renaissance Insights

Renaissance Period: 1450-1600.
A Capella: Vocal music without instrumental backing.
Word Painting: Musical gestures illustrate the meaning of the text.
Josquin: Significant Renaissance composer around 1500.
Ordinary of the Mass: Refers to liturgical fixed texts.
Kyrie: A plea for mercy.
Gloria: Expression of praise.
Credo: Declaration of beliefs.
Sanctus: Expression of praise.
Agnus Dei: Prayer for mercy.
Palestrina: Composer known for clear text settings in homophonic texture.
Madrigal: Secular vocal music derived from motets, often romantic in text.
Reformation/Counter-Reformation: Movement rejecting Catholic authority.

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Description

Prepare for your first test in Music Appreciation with these flashcards focused on key musical concepts such as rhythm, beat, and tempo. Each card provides a definition to help reinforce your understanding of these fundamental components of music. Perfect for review or study sessions before the test.