Glossary
Agogic Accent
An emphasis given to a note by making it slightly longer in duration, rather than by playing it louder.
Example:
A performer might use an agogic accent on a particular note to draw attention to it without increasing its volume.
Augmented Intervals
Intervals that are one half step larger than a major or perfect interval.
Example:
C to F# is an augmented interval of a fourth, sounding brighter and more dissonant than a perfect fourth.
Blues Scale
A six-note scale derived from the minor pentatonic scale by adding a lowered 5th degree (or raised 4th).
Example:
Adding the 'blue note' to a minor pentatonic creates the distinctive sound of the blues scale, perfect for improvisation.
Canon
A contrapuntal compositional technique that employs a melody with one or more imitations of the melody played after a given duration.
Example:
'Row, Row, Row Your Boat' is a simple canon, where different voices sing the same melody starting at different times.
Chromatic Scale
A scale consisting of all twelve pitches within an octave, each separated by a half step.
Example:
A pianist might play a rapid chromatic scale to create a dramatic flourish or a sense of urgency.
Circle of Fifths
A visual representation of the relationships among the 12 chromatic pitches, showing the progression of keys by perfect fifths.
Example:
Using the circle of fifths, you can quickly determine the key signature for any major or minor key.
Closely Related Keys
Keys that share many common pitches and chords, typically found adjacent to each other on the circle of fifths.
Example:
For a piece in C major, G major and F major are closely related keys, often used for modulation.
Compound Intervals
Intervals larger than a single octave, which can be reduced to their simple interval equivalent by subtracting an octave.
Example:
A tenth (C to E an octave higher) is a compound interval that is essentially a compound major third.
Concert Pitch
The actual sounding pitch of a note, as opposed to the written pitch for a transposing instrument.
Example:
When a trumpet plays a written C, the concert pitch is B-flat.
Conjunct Motion
Melodic movement that proceeds by steps (half steps or whole steps) between adjacent notes.
Example:
A simple children's song often uses conjunct motion, making it easy to sing.
Consonant Intervals
Intervals that sound stable, pleasing, and resolved, such as perfect octaves, fifths, and major/minor thirds and sixths.
Example:
The harmonious blend of a major third is a prime example of a consonant interval.
Countermelody
A secondary melody that is played simultaneously with the main melody, often providing harmonic or rhythmic interest.
Example:
In a jazz tune, a saxophone might play a countermelody that weaves around the main trumpet line.
Counterpoint
The art of combining multiple independent melodic lines in a harmonically pleasing and structurally coherent way.
Example:
Studying counterpoint helps composers write intricate and engaging musical textures.
Diminished Intervals
Intervals that are one half step smaller than a minor or perfect interval.
Example:
C to Gb is a diminished interval of a fifth, creating a tense and unstable sound.
Disjunct Motion
Melodic movement that proceeds by leaps or skips (intervals larger than a step) between adjacent notes.
Example:
A dramatic operatic aria might feature disjunct motion with wide leaps to express strong emotions.
Dissonant Intervals
Intervals that sound unstable, tense, and require resolution, such as major/minor seconds and sevenths, and augmented/diminished intervals.
Example:
The jarring sound of a major second is a clear dissonant interval, creating tension that wants to resolve.
Distantly Related Keys
Keys that share few common pitches or chords, often used to create contrast or tension in a musical composition.
Example:
Moving from C major to F# major would be a shift to a distantly related key, creating a dramatic and unexpected change.
Fermata
A musical symbol indicating that a note or rest should be held for an indefinitely prolonged duration, beyond its written value.
Example:
The conductor held a dramatic fermata on the final chord, letting the sound linger in the air.
Harmonic Intervals
Intervals formed by two notes played simultaneously.
Example:
A chord is made up of multiple harmonic intervals stacked on top of each other.
Harmonic Minor Scale
A natural minor scale with a raised 7th degree, creating a strong leading tone. This alteration often produces an exotic or dramatic sound.
Example:
The distinctive sound of a Middle Eastern melody might feature the raised G# in an A harmonic minor scale, pulling strongly to A.
Hemiola
A rhythmic device where a feeling of 2 beats in a measure is temporarily superimposed over a feeling of 3 beats, or vice versa, often achieved by grouping notes differently.
Example:
In some waltzes, a composer might use hemiola to briefly create a feeling of two beats per measure instead of the usual three.
Homophony
A musical texture characterized by a prominent melody supported by accompanying chords or harmonic parts.
Example:
Most popular songs feature homophony, with a lead vocal melody over guitar or piano chords.
Imitation Counterpoint
A contrapuntal technique where one melodic voice presents a musical idea, which is then repeated or varied by another voice.
Example:
In a Baroque concerto, the orchestra might present a theme, followed by the solo instrument entering with an imitation counterpoint.
Interval Inversion
The process of flipping an interval by moving the lower note an octave higher or the upper note an octave lower. The sum of the original and inverted interval sizes always equals nine.
Example:
A major third (C to E) inverts to a minor sixth (E to C), demonstrating interval inversion.
Intervals
The distance between two musical pitches, measured by both size (number of scale degrees) and quality (major, minor, perfect, augmented, diminished).
Example:
Identifying the intervals between notes is crucial for understanding harmony and melody.
Key Signature
A set of sharps or flats placed at the beginning of a staff, indicating the key of a piece and which notes are consistently raised or lowered.
Example:
The key signature with two sharps tells you the piece is in D major or B minor.
Leading Tone
The 7th scale degree when it is a half step below the tonic, creating a strong pull towards the tonic note.
Example:
In G major, F# is the leading tone, making you anticipate the resolution to G.
Major Intervals
Intervals (2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th) that correspond to the distances found between the tonic and other scale degrees in a major scale.
Example:
C to E is a major interval of a third, as E is the major third above C.
Major Pentatonic Scale
A five-note scale consisting of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 6th degrees of a major scale.
Example:
The melody of 'Amazing Grace' largely uses the notes of a major pentatonic scale, giving it a simple, open sound.
Melodic Contour
The overall shape or direction of a melody, describing whether it rises, falls, arches, or moves in a jagged fashion.
Example:
The soaring melodic contour of a romantic aria creates a sense of emotional intensity.
Melodic Intervals
Intervals formed by two notes played in succession.
Example:
The opening two notes of 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star' form a melodic interval of a perfect fifth.
Melodic Minor Scale
A minor scale that differs ascending and descending. Ascending, it raises the 6th and 7th degrees; descending, it reverts to the natural minor form.
Example:
A jazz soloist might use an ascending C melodic minor scale for a smooth, flowing line, then descend using the natural minor for a different feel.
Melodic Transposition
The process of moving an entire melody to a new pitch level while preserving its original intervals and rhythmic relationships.
Example:
A singer might request a melodic transposition of a song to better suit their vocal range.
Melody
A succession of musical pitches organized in a meaningful and memorable way, often forming the main tune of a piece.
Example:
The catchy melody of a pop song is often what makes it memorable.
Minor Intervals
Intervals (2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th) that are one half step smaller than their corresponding major intervals.
Example:
C to Eb is a minor interval of a third, one half step smaller than a major third.
Minor Pentatonic Scale
A five-note scale consisting of the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 7th degrees of a natural minor scale.
Example:
Blues guitarists frequently improvise using the minor pentatonic scale to create soulful licks.
Monophony
A musical texture consisting of a single melodic line without any accompaniment or other melodic parts.
Example:
A Gregorian chant sung by a single voice is an example of monophony.
Natural Minor Scale
A minor scale derived from the major scale by lowering the 3rd, 6th, and 7th degrees. It follows a Whole-Half-Whole-Whole-Half-Whole-Whole pattern.
Example:
Playing an A natural minor scale on the piano feels melancholic, with its lowered C, F, and G notes.
Orchestration
The art of assigning different musical lines or parts to various instruments in an orchestra or ensemble, considering their timbral qualities.
Example:
A composer's skill in orchestration is evident in how they blend the sounds of strings, woodwinds, and brass to create a rich texture.
Parallel Keys
A major key and a minor key that share the same tonic note but have different key signatures and modes.
Example:
C major and C minor are parallel keys, both starting on C but having distinct tonal qualities.
Pentatonic Scales
Five-note scales commonly found in folk music worldwide, existing in both major and minor forms.
Example:
Many traditional folk songs are built using the simple, pleasing notes of a pentatonic scale.
Perfect Intervals
Intervals (unison, 4th, 5th, octave) that have a naturally consonant sound and are considered stable.
Example:
The sound of a C and G played together forms a perfect interval of a fifth, a very stable and foundational sound.
Polyphony
A musical texture consisting of two or more independent melodic lines sounding simultaneously, each with its own distinct character.
Example:
A fugue by Bach is a classic example of polyphony, with multiple interwoven melodic voices.
Polyrhythms
The simultaneous use of two or more conflicting rhythmic patterns or meters, creating a complex and layered rhythmic texture.
Example:
African drumming ensembles often feature intricate polyrhythms, with different drummers playing contrasting patterns.
Relative Keys
A major key and a minor key that share the exact same key signature. The minor key's tonic is a minor third below the major key's tonic.
Example:
C major and A minor are relative keys because they both have no sharps or flats in their key signatures.
Syncopation
A rhythmic device that involves placing accents on normally weak beats or between beats, creating a sense of rhythmic surprise or off-kilter feel.
Example:
Ragtime music is famous for its lively syncopation, making the rhythms feel bouncy and unpredictable.
Texture
The way in which melodic lines and harmonic elements are combined in a piece of music, describing the density and interaction of musical layers.
Example:
The texture of a symphony orchestra can range from thin and transparent to thick and dense.
Timbre
The unique sound quality or 'color' of an instrument or voice, allowing us to distinguish between different sound sources even when playing the same pitch at the same loudness.
Example:
The warm, mellow timbre of a cello is distinctly different from the bright, piercing timbre of a flute.
Tonic
The first and most stable scale degree of a key, serving as the central pitch around which a piece of music is organized.
Example:
After a long, winding melody, the final chord often resolves to the tonic, providing a sense of arrival and rest.
Transposing Instruments
Musical instruments whose written notes do not correspond to their sounding (concert) pitches, requiring transposition for accurate performance with other instruments.
Example:
A B-flat clarinet is a transposing instrument; when it plays a written C, it sounds a B-flat.
Tritone
An interval spanning three whole steps, equivalent to an augmented fourth or diminished fifth, known for its highly dissonant quality.
Example:
The tritone from F to B was historically called 'the devil in music' due to its unsettling sound.
Whole-Tone Scale
A six-note scale where each note is separated by a whole step, creating an ambiguous and often dreamy sound.
Example:
Debussy often used the whole-tone scale to evoke an ethereal, floating quality in his impressionistic music.