Glossary
Aeolian
The sixth mode, identical to the natural minor scale, conveying a sad and serious mood.
Example:
A ballad written in C Aeolian will naturally sound like it's in C natural minor, evoking a sense of introspection.
Antecedent
The first phrase in a period, which typically sounds like a musical question and ends inconclusively, often with a half cadence.
Example:
The opening four measures of a classical sonata movement often serve as the antecedent phrase, posing a musical idea that needs resolution.
Asymmetrical (Period)
A type of period where the antecedent and consequent phrases are of unequal length.
Example:
A five-measure antecedent followed by a four-measure consequent would create an asymmetrical period.
Bridge (Choral Music)
A transitional section in a song, often occurring before the final chorus, introducing new musical ideas or building tension.
Example:
In a pop song, the bridge often features different lyrics and a change in melody or harmony, providing a fresh perspective before the last chorus hits.
Chorus
A repeating section of a song that contains the main melody and lyrics, usually the most memorable and catchy part.
Example:
Everyone sings along to the chorus of a popular song because it's designed to be the most memorable and repeated section.
Coda
The final section of a piece that brings it to a conclusive end, often adding emphasis or a sense of grandeur.
Example:
Beethoven's symphonies are famous for their extended and dramatic coda sections, providing a powerful conclusion.
Codetta
A short concluding section at the end of a phrase or movement, serving as a mini-conclusion before a larger one or the very end.
Example:
A brief, repeated melodic fragment at the end of a theme might function as a codetta, signaling the end of that particular idea.
Consequent
The second phrase in a period, which sounds like a musical answer and ends more conclusively than the antecedent, often with a perfect authentic cadence.
Example:
After the 'question' of the antecedent, the consequent phrase provides a satisfying musical 'answer,' bringing the idea to a close.
Contrasting (Period)
A type of period where the antecedent and consequent phrases are different in melodic or rhythmic content.
Example:
A period where the first phrase is stepwise and the second is arpeggiated would be a contrasting period.
Dorian
The second mode, a minor scale with a raised 6th degree, often described as slightly jazzy or melancholic.
Example:
A jazz guitarist might improvise over a minor chord using the Dorian mode to add a sophisticated, bluesy flavor.
Double Period
A larger musical structure consisting of four phrases arranged in two pairs (antecedent and consequent), where the final cadence is the most conclusive.
Example:
A hymn tune might feature a double period, with two pairs of question-and-answer phrases building to a strong final resolution.
Exposition
The opening section of a piece, especially in sonata form, where the main themes are introduced and presented.
Example:
In a symphony, the exposition is where you first hear the memorable main melodies that will be developed throughout the movement.
Interlude
A transitional section between main parts of a piece, often instrumental, serving as a break or bridge.
Example:
After a powerful vocal chorus, a short, calming instrumental interlude might provide a moment of reflection before the next verse.
Ionian
The first of the seven modes, identical to the major scale, characterized by a bright and happy sound.
Example:
Playing a simple melody in C Ionian will sound just like playing it in C major, familiar and uplifting.
Locrian
The seventh mode, characterized by a lowered 2nd and 5th degree, resulting in a tense and dissonant sound.
Example:
While rarely used melodically due to its inherent dissonance, a composer might briefly touch upon the Locrian mode to create extreme tension in a horror film score.
Lydian
The fourth mode, a major scale with a raised 4th degree, creating a dreamy and ethereal quality.
Example:
Many cartoon themes use the Lydian mode to convey a whimsical or fantastical feeling, thanks to its bright, raised fourth.
Mixolydian
The fifth mode, a major scale with a lowered 7th degree, giving it a dominant or bluesy sound.
Example:
A rock guitarist might use the Mixolydian mode over a dominant 7th chord to create a strong, blues-infused solo.
Modal music
Music that uses modes instead of traditional major or minor keys, creating distinct sounds and moods based on specific patterns of whole and half steps.
Example:
A composer might use modal music to evoke an ancient, ethereal atmosphere in a film score, moving beyond the typical major/minor feel.
Modulating (Period)
A type of period where the second (consequent) phrase moves to and establishes a new key.
Example:
A piece might begin in C major, and its first modulating period could end conclusively in G major.
Parallel (Period)
A type of period where the antecedent and consequent phrases are similar in melodic or rhythmic content, often starting with the same or similar melodic material.
Example:
If both phrases of a period begin with the same melodic contour but end differently, it's likely a parallel period.
Period
A group of two phrases, typically an antecedent (question) phrase followed by a consequent (answer) phrase, where the consequent ends more conclusively.
Example:
The first two phrases of 'Happy Birthday' form a period, with the first phrase feeling incomplete and the second providing resolution.
Phrase
A complete musical idea, similar to a sentence in language, with a clear beginning and ending.
Example:
The first four measures of 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star' form a clear musical phrase that feels complete.
Phrygian
The third mode, a minor scale with a lowered 2nd degree, known for its Spanish or Middle Eastern sound.
Example:
The dramatic opening of a flamenco piece often features the distinctive lowered second of the Phrygian mode.
Refrain
Similar to a chorus, a repeating section where the lyrics typically remain the same, but the melody may vary slightly or be presented differently each time.
Example:
In some traditional songs, a recurring line of text acts as a refrain, even if the musical setting changes slightly with each appearance.
Verse
A section of a song with the main lyrics that tell the story or develop the narrative, typically with the same melody but different words each time.
Example:
The verse of a folk song is where the storyteller lays out the details of the plot, moving the narrative forward.
a a
A phrase relationship where two consecutive phrases are identical.
Example:
If a song repeats the exact same melody and harmony for two consecutive sections, it demonstrates an a a phrase relationship.
a a’
A phrase relationship where two consecutive phrases are similar but the second one is varied, often through changes in non-chord tones, melody, or transposition.
Example:
A composer might present a melody (a) and then repeat it with a slightly different ending or ornamentation (a’), creating an a a’ relationship.
a b
A phrase relationship where two consecutive phrases are contrasting, presenting two different musical ideas.
Example:
A lively, upbeat phrase followed by a slow, lyrical one would be an example of an a b phrase relationship.