Melody & Rhythm
a succession of single pitches perceived by the ear as a unity
melody
the simultaneous combination of notes and the ensuing relationships of intervals and chords
harmony
song structure composed from beginning to end, without repetitions of large sections
through-composed form
loudness or softness, or volume, of sound
dynamics
mechanism that generates musical vibrations and transmits them into the air
instrument
basic metrical pattern of three beats to a measure
triple meter
concordant or harmonious combination of pitches that provides a sense of relaxation and stability in music
consonance
performance style with a singing leader who is imitated by a chorus of followers
call and response
the rate of speed or pace of music
tempo
instrumental family made of metal, wood, stretched skin, or other material that is made to sound by striking, shaking, scraping, or plucking
percussion instrument
regular pulsation; a basic unit of length in musical time
beat
standard scale consisting of seven different pitches with a lowered third tone and a “sadder” sound
minor scale
a single-line texture, or melody without accompaniment
monophony
the standard category and overall character of a work
genre
a group of singers who perform together, usually in parts, with several on each part
choir
the controlled movement of music in time
fourth note of the scale or key; holds a bit of tension
subdominant
two or more melodic lines combined into a multi-voiced texture
polyphony
depicting the meaning of the lyricsthrough the music itself
playing the notes in a smooth, connected way
legato
deliberate upsetting of the meter or pulse through a temporary shifting of the accent to a weak beat
syncopation
defines the relationship of pitches with a common tonal center
key
melodic idea used as a basic building block of a piece
theme
characteristic manner of the presentation of musical elements
style
broken chord in which the individual pitches are sounded one after the other instead of simultaneously