Terrifying Terminology
Melodious Verbiage
All about that bass
Lord of the Chords
Periodt
Can you Hear Me Now?
100
This term instructs string players to bow the string, instead of pluck.
What is Arco?
100
A melody that is mostly stepwise is known as this.
What is conjunct?
100
When composing a triad in four-part writing, this voice part is most often doubled.
What is the bass?
100
A type of chord where the notes are stacked vertically and played simultaneously.
What is a block chord?
100
Two phrases that begin identically
What is a parallel period?
100
Name the type of interval you hear
Major 6
200
A popular form of imitation made famous by Bach, wherein the second voice part typically begins in a different key (usually the dominant) than the first.
What is Fugue
200
This kind of melodic motion:
What is contrary motion?
200
A continuously moving bassline that utilizes both chord tones and non-chord tones. Used in baroque music, like that music of Bach, and in Jazz.
What is a walking bassline?
200
The quality of a the chord in a minor key
What is minor?
200
Two periods repeated exactly
What is a repeated parallel period?
200
Name the type of triad you hear
Diminished
300
A melodic or rhythmic pattern repeated over and over. (Example: Stranger Things intro)
What is an Ostinato?
300
A melodic line that complements and overlaps with the primary melody line.
What is a countermelody?
300
A single note sustained over a long period of time, often in the bass or soprano part. Also known as a "drone".
What is pedal point?
300
These two chords are known as "pre-dominant chords"
What is the ii and V?
300
Two phrases that do NOT begin identically
What is a contrasting period?
300
Name the cadence you hear
Plagal
400
In singing, when a single vowel sustains over several notes.
What is a Melisma?
400
This kind of melodic motion:
What is oblique motion?
400
A left-handed accompaniment pattern on a keyboard instrument that utilizes a 1-5-3-5 note pattern.
What is Alberti Bass?
400
A type of chord where the notes are played one after the other.
What is a broken chord (or arpeggio)?
400
Three inconclusive phrases followed by a final, conclusive phrase.
What is a Double Period?
400
Name the scale you hear
Whole Tone Scale
500
A 3 against 2 rhythmic juxtaposition between two parts.
What is a Hemiola?
500
When a melodic figure is played backwards
What is retrograde?
500
In four-part writing, this is determined by the bass note.
What is the inversion?
500
Spell the notes in the following triad: Db+
Db - F - A
500
In most periods, the first and third phrases are inconslusive, and the second and fourth phrases are conclusive. What are the other names for inconclusive and conclusive phrases?
What is the antecedent and consequent?
500
What type of 7th chord do you hear?
Half Diminished 7