Music Concepts

French dance with three beats in the bar.

Minuet from Baroque era, Trio added in Classical era.

Minuet - Trio - Minuet

Slow traditional melody in the style of a song. Usually played on violin or bagpipes. Many examples were written by Scott Skinner

"A B A". A form where the first section is always repeated at the end. It could begin with a short introduction and end with a Coda.

A melody which is the main idea for a compsition or section of a composition. It can be the basis for a longer composition e.g.... theme and variations.

The elements of chance in music where the performer has some freedom to choose the pitch and rythym. No two performances are exactly the same.

No feeling of key, major or minor. Very dissonant. A feature of some 20th century music.

A passage of music which allows a soloist to display their technical ability. Cadenza is usually found in a concerto.

A cadence consists of two chords at the end of a phrase. In an imperfect cadence the second chord is the dominant (V) creating an unfisnished effect. In the key of C the second chord of an imperfect cadence would be the chord of G. See Perfect Cadence, Plagal cadence and interrupted cadence.

Several notes sung to one syllable. Compare syllabic.

A prominent solo instrument in a piece of vocal music.

The final chord of a piece of music in the minor key is changed to major.

A very slight wavering in pitch which brings warmth to the tone.

Term for the rapid up-and-down movement of the bow on a stringed instrument creating an agitated, restless effect. The term also describes rapid alteration of two different notes at least a 3rd apart on a piano, strings or wind instruments.

Trembling, quivering.

Notes which sound well when heard together.

The notes are short and detached.

The notes are played or sung smoothly.

A group of musicians playing or singing together.

A musical idea consisting of unpitched-notes heard mroe than once. See Melodic repetition, Ostinato, Riff.