Structure
A very common structure for contemporary songs with lyrics.
What is Verse-Chorus Form?
The layer that, in a typical band, consists of drums and percussion.
What is the Rhythm Layer?
The Italian term for moderately loud.
What is Mezzo Forte?
The Italian term instructing you to play smoothly and connected.
What is Legato?
The cello belongs to this instrument family.
What is the String Family?
The name of the form that has three sections, "ABA".
What is Ternary Form?
This stringed instrument commonly plays the riff of many rock songs.
What is a guitar?
The Italian term for gradually getting softer/quieter.
What is decrescendo/diminuendo?
This technique is used a lot in vocals to show expression (think of Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Bon Jovi, and opera singers).
What is vibrato?
The maracas belong to this instrument family.
What is the Percussion Family?
This is what you call a repeated music idea.
What is riff/ostinato/motif?
A piece of music with only one melodic layer.
What is Monophonic Texture?
What is Pianissimo?
The orchestral string technique where the bow bounces lightly on the string.
What is Spiccato?
These are the two main types of instruments/sound production.
What are Acoustic and Electric?
The name of the form where there is one section repeated, but may have different lyrics.
What is Strophic Form?
A piece of music with two or more independent melodies.
What is polyphonic texture?
To emphasise or forcefully play a note/beat.
What is an Accent?
When you sing a word or syllable across multiple pitches.
What is Melisma?
These descriptive words are important when talking about the timbre of an instrument (or combination of).
What are appropriate adjectives?
A very elaborate form of music, very common in the Classical period and begins with a section called "Exposition".
What is Sonata Form?
The song "Jingle Bell Rock" by Bobby Helms is this texture.
What is homophonic texture?
The first dynamic you hear for Beethoven's 5th symphony, then the dynamic after that iconic opening.
What is fortissimo, then piano?
This is the technique used by woodwinds and brass players where they roll their r's while they play.
What is flutter-tongue?
This instrument belongs in the percussion family, but has many metal bars and each of them is tuned to a certain pitch.
What is a glockenspiel (IT'S NOT A XYLOPHONE ARGGGGG)?