Melody & Rhythm
the distance between two pitches
interval
A concordant, or agreeable, combination of tones could be described as _______.
a texture when a single voice takes over the melodic interest while the accompanying voices are subordinate
homophony
the text setting of one note per syllable
syllabic
Give an example of a percussion instrument.
drums, timpani, harp, xylophone, glockenspiel, bass drum, snare drum, etc. etc.
The frequency of a pitch refers to _______.
number of vibrations per second
the process of passing from one key to another within a piece
modulation
a texture with a single, unaccompanied line
monophony
the language in which tempo markings are generally given
Italian
Give an example of a bowed-string instrument.
violin, viola, cello, double bass
a repeated rhythmic pattern with three beats per measure
triple meter
a combination of three or more tones that constitutes a single block of harmony
chord
a form in vocal music in which each poetic stanza is sung to the same melody
strophic form
Give a marking that is appropriate for a slow tempo.
grave, largo, adagio, andante
The term a cappella refers to choral music performed ___________.
without accompaniment
the deliberate shifting of the accent from a weak beat to an offbeat
syncopation
the first note of the scale
tonic
the restatement of a musical idea at a higher or lower pitch level
sequence
pianissimo
String instruments excel at performing smooth, connected notes—a technique referred to as __________.
legato
a meter in which the beat is subdivided into three
compound meter
A lowered third scale degree is characteristic of which scale?
minor scale
the smallest fragment of a theme that forms a melodic-harmonic-rhythmic unit
motive
the use of nonsense syllables
List the four main voice parts from lowest to highest.
bass, tenor, alto, soprano