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Name: ____________________ Class: __________
Senior Phase Glossary Higher
Stewarton Academy Music Department Senior Phase Glossary
Higher Page 2
Concepts Chart
Stewarton Academy Music Department Senior Phase Glossary
Higher Page 3
Literacy Chart
Melody & Harmony Rhythm & Tempo Timbre & Dynamics
Nat
ion
al 3
treble clef lines & spaces steps repetition
crotchet minim dotted minim semibreve barlines double barlines
f /forte p/piano </cresc/crescendo >/dim/diminuendo
Nat
ion
al 4
treble clef: C – A’ sequences
semiquaver grouped semiquavers paired quavers repeat signs
mf/mezzo forte mp/mezzo piano
Nat
ion
al 5
tones/semitones accidentals – flats, sharps and naturals scales and key signatures – C, G, F, Am chords – C, G, F, Am leaps
dotted rhythms dotted crotchet dotted quaver scotch snap 1st and 2nd time bars
ff/fortissimo pp/pianissimo sfz/szforzando
Hig
her
Bass clef stave: E – C Note naming and transposing into bass clef Chords I, IV, V and VI in major and minor keys Diminished Dominant Naming and writing diatonic intervals formed from the tonic
6/8 time triplets quavers crotchets dotted crotchets, dotted minims quaver rest crotchet rest dotted crotchet rest minim rest semibreve rest Da capo DC
Slurs Accents Staccato marks Phrase marks
Stewarton Academy Music Department Senior Phase Glossary
Higher Page 4
Concepts by topic
Stewarton Academy Music Department Senior Phase Glossary
Higher Page 5
Definitions CONCEPT DEFINITION LEVEL
A cappella Unaccompanied choral singing National 5 A tempo The music returns to the main tempo(speed) after there has been a
change National 4
AB Two-part form-music in two sections: A then B. These sections may be repeated
National 5
ABA Three-part form-music in three sections: section A, then B, then back to A
National 4
Accelerando The tempo (speed) of the music gradually becomes faster National 4 Accented Accented notes are notes which sound louder than others National 3 Acciaccatura An ornament which sounds like a crushed note played very
quickly on the beat or just before it Higher
Accidental A sign added to the note to change the pitch National 5 Accompanied Other instrument(s) or voice(s) support the main melody National 3 Accordion An instrument with a keyboard played with the right hand and
buttons (which play chords) pressed by the left hand National 3
Acoustic Guitar A stringed instrument that is played by plucking or strumming the strings with fingers, or using a plectrum
National 3
Adagio A slow tempo(speed) National 3 Added 6th Root, 3rd and 5th of a chord with the 6th added. This chord is
used frequently in jazz and popular music Higher
African music Much African music features voices and/or African drums National 4 Alberti Bass Broken chords played by the left hand outlining harmonies whilst
the right hand plays the melody National 5
Allegro A fast tempo (speed) National 3 Alto The lowest female voice National 4 Anacrusis The notes which appear before the first strong beat of a musical
phrase, particularly at the start of a piece. National 4
Andante A tempo at a walking speed National 4 Answer A short musical phrase that follows on from a ‘question’ phrase National 3 Arco Instruction given to string players to use the bow National 5 Aria A solo song sung in an operatic style, in an opera, oratorio or
cantata, with orchestral accompaniment National 5
Arpeggio Notes of a chord played one after the other National 4 Ascending Ascending notes rise in pitch National 3 Atonal Atonal music has no feeling of key, major or minor. It is very
dissonant and lacks a ‘nice’ melody and accompaniment National 5
Augmentation An increase in the length of notes. The music will sound slower
when imitated or repeated Higher
Backing vocal Singers who support the lead singer(s), usually by singing in harmony in the background
National 4
Bagpipes A musical instrument having a flexible bag inflated either by a tube with valves or by bellows, a double-reed melody pipe, and from one to four drone pipes
National 3
Stewarton Academy Music Department Senior Phase Glossary
Higher Page 6
Baritone A male voice whose range lies between that of bass and tenor National 5 Baroque The name given to a style of music composed during the period
1600-1750 approximately National 4
Bass The name given to a style of music composed during the period 1600-1750 approximately
National 4
Bass Drum This instrument belongs to the percussion family National 4 Bass Guitar The bass guitar is pitched lower than a guitar. It is an electric string
instrument and has only four strings, two fewer than an electric guitar
National 4
Basso continuo Sometimes referred to as continuo. In the Baroque period, the continuo part consisted of a bass line (basso continuo) played
by cello, bass, viola da gamba or bassoon. In addition the harpsichord, organ or lute player was expected to fill in harmonies built on that bass line.
Higher
Bassoon This instrument belongs to the woodwind family National 5 Beat The basic pulse you hear in music National 3 Binary A form in which the music is made up of two different sections
labelled A and B National 5
Blowing The sound produced by blowing into or across the mouthpiece of the instrument, eg brass, woodwind and recorders
National 3
Blues Blues started as Black American folk music, developing from spirituals and work songs
National 3
Bodhran An Irish wooden drum, held in one hand and played with a wooden beater
National 5
Bongo Drums Fairly high-pitched drums, joined in pairs and usually played with fingers and palms
National 5
Bothy ballad A folk song, usually with many verses, from north-east Scotland National 5 Bowing The sound produced by drawing the bow across the strings of a
stringed instrument, eg violin or cello National 3
Brass A family of instruments made from metal with a mouthpiece, eg trumpet and euphonium
National 3
Brass band A band of brass instruments and percussion National 4 Broken chord In a broken chord, the notes of a chord are played separately National 4 Cadence The end of a musical phrase National 5 Cadenza A passage of music which allows soloists to display their technical
ability in singing or playing an instrument National 4
Canon Strict imitation. Once one part starts to play or sing a melody, another part enters shortly afterwards with exactly the same melody
National 4
Castanets A percussion instrument popular in Spanish music National 5 Cello This instrument belongs to the string family and is slightly smaller
and slightly higher in pitch than a double bass National 4
Celtic Rock A style of music that mixes Celtic folk music and rock together
National 5
Chamber music Music written for a small instrumental ensemble with one player to a part.
Higher Change of Key A move from one key to another National 4 Choir A group of singers who perform together National 3
Stewarton Academy Music Department Senior Phase Glossary
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Chord Two or more notes sounding together National 3 Chord progression
A series of related chords built on the first, fourth and fifth notes of a major or minor scale
National 4
Chord progression
Different progressions using the chords built on the 1st, 4th, 5th and 6th notes of a major or minor scale
National 5
Chorus A group of singers, the music written for them or the refrain between verses of a song
National 5
Chromatic Notes which move by the interval of a semitone National 5 Clarinet This instrument belongs to the woodwind family. It uses a single
reed, which is attached to a plastic mouthpiece National 4
Clarsach A small Scottish harp, used in folk music. Clarsach is Gaelic for harp National 5 Classical A term used to describe/refer to music composed during the period
1750-1810 approximately; the era of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven National 5
Cluster A term used to describe a group of notes, which clash, played together
National 5
Coda A passage at the end of a piece of music which rounds it off effectively
National 5
Col legno Instruction given to string players to turn the bow over and bounce the wood on the strings
National 5
Coloratura Term for high, florid vocal singing involving scales, runs and ornaments. Sometimes these passages were written down, but often were extemporised by the performer
Higher
Compound time The beat is divided into groups of three National 5 Compound time groupings
The beat is a dotted note which divides into three, eg 6/8 = two dotted crotchet beats in a bar and each beat can be divided into three quavers
National 5
Concertino In a Concerto grosso this is the name given to the small, solo group of instrumentalists as opposed to the main group, the Ripieno
Higher
Concerto grosso A type of concerto in which a group of soloists (concertino) is
combined and contrasted with a larger group (ripieno) Higher
Con sordino-muted
The beat is a dotted note which divides into three, eg 6/8 = two dotted crotchet beats in a bar and each beat can be divided into three quavers
National 5
Concerto A work for solo instrument and orchestra, eg a flute concerto is written for flute and orchestra
National 4
Contrapuntal Texture in which each of two or more parts has independent melodic interest; similar in meaning to polyphonic
National 5
Contrary motion Two parts which move in opposite directions, eg as one part ascends the other part descends
National 5
Counter melody A melody played against the main melody National 5 Crescendo The music gradually becomes louder National 3 Cross rhythm Contrasting rhythms played at the same time or played with unusual
emphasis on notes National 5
Crotchet q A note that lasts for 1 beat National 3 Cymbals A percussion instrument, round in shape and made of metal National 4 Da capo aria An aria in Ternary form (ABA) used in opera and oratorio in the
17th and 18th centuries. The third section is not written out but the instruction Da capo (from the beginning) is given instead.
Higher
Stewarton Academy Music Department Senior Phase Glossary
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The repeat of the A section was performed with the solo ornamented.
Descant (Voice) A counter melody which accompanies and is sung above the main melody
National 5
Descending Descending notes fall in pitch National 3 Diminished 7th A chord consisting of three intervals of a minor 3rd built one on
top of the other, the interval between the lower and top note being a diminished 7th. This can be a very useful chord for modulation to distant keys.
Higher
Diminuendo The music gradually becomes quieter National 3 Diminution A decrease in the length of notes. The music will sound faster
when imitated or repeated. Higher
Discord A chord in which certain notes clash. In the 20th century, many composers used discords in their music
National 3
Distortion An electronic effect used in rock music to colour the sound of an electric guitar. It gives a ‘fuzzy’ sound rather than the usual clean sound
National 4
Dominant 7th Chord built on the dominant (5th) note of a key which adds the 7th note above its root. It is sometimes written as V7 or, in the key of C major, G7(GBDF)
Higher
Dotted crotchet
q.
A note that lasts for 1 ½ beats National 5
Dotted minim h. A note that lasts for 3 beats National 3 Dotted quaver e. A note that lasts for ¼ beats National 5 Dotted rhythm A long note followed by a shorter note followed by a longer one, as
in a Scotch snap National 5
Drone One note held on or repeated in the bass National 4 Drum fill A rhythmic decoration played on a drum kit National 3 Drum kit A set of drums and cymbals often used in rock music and pop music National 3 Electric guitar A guitar which requires an electric amplifier to produce sound National 3 Exposition The first section of a movement in Sonata form (Exposition -
Development - Recapitulation) or the first section of a Fugue where each voice has played or sung at least one entry of subject or answer.
Higher
Faster The tempo (speed) increases National 3 Fiddle Another name for the violin, used in Scottish folk music National 3 Flute This instrument belongs to the woodwind family, although it is made
of metal. It differs from other woodwind instruments as it does not have a reed
National 4
Flutter tonguing Rolling your ‘r’s’ whilst playing a brass or woodwind instrument National 5 Folk groups A group of two or more musicians who perform music in a
traditional style, usually accompanied by guitars National 3
Forte (f) Forte means loud volume National 3 Fortissimo (ff) This means very loud volume National 5 French horn This instrument belongs to the brass family and is basically four
metres of tubing curled around, with a bell shaped opening on one end and a mouthpiece in the other
National 5
Stewarton Academy Music Department Senior Phase Glossary
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Gaelic psalms Psalms (hymns) which were sung in Gaelic, unaccompanied National 5 Glissando Sliding from one note to another, taking in all the notes in between
where possible National 5
Glockenspiel This instrument belongs to the percussion family. The metal bars are laid out in a similar pattern to the piano and are played with beaters
National 4
Gospel Music written with religious lyrics, often in praise or thanksgiving to God
National 5
Grace note A type of ornament played as a quick, crushed note before the main note of a melody
National 5
Ground bass A theme in the bass which is repeated many times while the upper parts are varied
National 5
Grouped semiquavers
A group of semiquavers which are joined together National 4
Güiro This instrument belongs to the percussion family. It is made of wood that has been hollowed out and has ridges cut into the outer surface. A wooden stick is scraped along the ridges to produce the sound
National 4
Harmonic minor scale
Scale which shares the same key signature as its relative major but raises the 7th note by a semitone.
Higher
Harmonics The high eerie sounds produced on a bowed string instrument by lightly touching the string at certain points. On a guitar these will sound bell-like.
Higher
Harmony The sound of two or more notes made at the same time National 3 Harp This instrument belongs to the string family. It is usually about 1.8
metres high, weighs 36kg and has 47 strings National 4
Harpsichord A keyboard instrument which looks like a small grand piano. The keys are laid out in the same way as a piano but are opposite in colour – the majority of the keys are black, and the raised ones are white
National 4
Hi hat cymbals Used as part of a drumkit, they consist of two cymbals (one upside-
down) that are hit with a stick or brush, and opened/closed with a foot pedal
National 5
Homophonic Texture where you hear melody with accompaniment or where all the parts play a similar rhythm at the same time
National 5
Imitation Where the melody is immediately copied in another part National 4 Imperfect cadence
A cadence consists of two chords at the end of a phrase. In an imperfect cadence the last chord is chord V (the dominant) creating an unfinished effect.
National 5
Impressionism A term borrowed from painting in which brief musical ideas merge and change to create a rather blurred, hazy and vague outline
Higher
Improvisation The performer makes up music during the actual performance, they don’t have the melody written down to help, although there may be suggested chords as a guide
National 3
Indian music Music from India which uses instruments such as the sitar and tabla National 5 Interrupted cadence
A cadence is formed by two chords at the end of a phrase. An interrupted cadence is usually formed by the chords V–VI. (In the key of C major, chords G to A minor.) This is known also as the surprise cadence as the listener may be expecting V–I which has a more final sound.
Higher
Stewarton Academy Music Department Senior Phase Glossary
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Interval The distance in pitch between two notes, eg C - F is a 4th. Higher Inverted pedal A note which is held on or repeated continuously at a high pitch National 5 Irregular time signatures
Often in modern or rhythmically based ethnic music, groupings of notes change, but the underlying pulse remains
constant. Groupings of two and three produce irregular accents and metres.
Higher
Jazz At first this was music created by black Americans in the early 20th century
National 3
Jazz funk A combination of jazz improvisation and the amplified
instruments and character of Rock. Higher
Jig A fast dance in compound time. Usually 2 beats in a bar, with each beat dividing into 3 quavers
National 4
Latin American music
Dance music from South America National 3
Leap/leaping Jumping between notes which are not next to each other National 3 Legato The notes are played or sung smoothly National 3 Lied/lieder This term (the German word for song) refers specifically in the
Romantic era to works for solo voice and piano. The text is in
German, the structure of the verses is strophic and through composed. An important feature is that the voice and piano are equally important.
Higher
Lines and spaces on the treble clef
The system for writing music uses five lines, each with a different letter name – find out more about the lines and spaces
National 3
Major The music sounds in a major key – often described as having a cheery, happy feel to it
National 4
March Music with a strong steady pulse with two or four beats in a bar National 3 Mass In the Renaissance era the Mass was a sacred choral work
using the five main sections of the Roman Catholic church
liturgy. Features of the Mass include Latin text and polyphonic texture, and it is usually sung a cappella. Originally used in church worship, but in later years became a large-scale work for chorus, soloists and orchestra.
Higher
Melismatic Several notes sung to one syllable National 5 Melodic minor scale
Scale which shares the same key signature as its Relative major but raises the 6th and 7th notes by a semitone ascending, and similarly lowers them.
Higher
Mezzo forte (mf) Mezzo forte stands for fairly loud volume National 4 Mezzo piano (mp)
Mezzo piano stands for fairly quiet volume National 4
Mezzo soprano A female singer whose voice range lies between that of a soprano and an alto
National 5
Middle eight In popular music, a section which provides a contrast to the opening section. It is often eight bars long
National 4
Minim h A note that lasts for 2 beats National 3 Minimalist A development of the second half of the 20th century based on
simple rhythmic and melodic figures which are constantly repeated with very slight changes each time
National 5
Minor The music sounds in a minor key, often described as having a sadder feel than major
National 4
Stewarton Academy Music Department Senior Phase Glossary
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Mode/modal Term used to describe music based on a mode, a type of early scale used before major and minor keys were developed. Modes are used in jazz and pop music for improvising.
Higher
Moderato A medium tempo (speed) National 5 Modulation A change of key National 5 Mordent An ornament which sounds the main note, the note above and
then the main note again. An inverted mordent sounds the main note, the note below and then the main note again.
Higher
Mouth music Unaccompanied songs with Gaelic or nonsense words, usually sung for ceilidh dances
National 4
Musical A musical play which has speaking singing and dancing and is performed on a stage
National 3
Musique concrete
Recorded natural sounds which are transformed using simple editing techniques such as cutting and re-assembling, playing
backwards, slowing down and speeding up.
Higher
Muted Using a device which reduces the volume or alters the sound of an instrument
National 4
Obbligato A prominent solo instrument part in a piece of vocal music. Higher Oboe This instrument belongs to the woodwind family. It uses a double
reed which is placed between the lips and the air travels between the two reeds into the instrument
National 5
Octave The distance of 8 notes e.g. from C up to C National 4 Off the beat Notes played on the weaker beats, e.g. beats 2 and 4 in a 4/4 bar National 3 On the beat Notes played on the stronger beats, e.g. beats 1 and 3 in a 4/4 bar National 3 Opera A drama set to music with soloists, chorus, acting and orchestral
accompaniment National 4
Oratorio Usually a story from the Bible set to music for soloists, chorus and orchestra. It may include recitatives, arias, duets and chorus. It is performed without acting or stage design.
Higher
Orchestra There are four main sections to an orchestra: strings, woodwind, brass and percussion
National 3
Organ A keyboard instrument usually found in churches. It usually has more than one keyboard, plus pedals that are played with the feet
National 3
Ornament An ornament decorates a melody by adding extra notes. Ornaments are often short and add melodic and rhythmic interest
National 4
Ostinato A short musical patter repeated many times National 3 Paired quaver Two quavers (1/2 beat notes) joined together National 4 Pan pipes Pipes which are graded in size and are bound together. The sound is
made by blowing across the top of the pipes National 4
Passacaglia Variations over a ground bass. Higher Pause A note or rest that is held longer than written. The pause sign (looks
like an eye and an eyebrow) is written above the note or rest that it is to be held as a pause
National 3
Pedal Short for pedal point. A note which is sustained, or repeated continuously, in the bass beneath changing harmonies.
National 4
Pentatonic Any five-note scale. In practice, the most common one is that on which much folk music is based, particularly Scottish and Celtic
National 4
Percussion Instruments that are played by hitting, striking, shaking or scraping National 3
Stewarton Academy Music Department Senior Phase Glossary
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Perfect cadence A cadence consists of two chords at the end of a phrase. A perfect cadence is the dominant to tonic chords (V-I)
National 5
Pianissimo (pp) Pianissimo is an indication that the music should be played very softly
National 5
Piano (dynamics) Quiet volume, abbreviated to ‘p’ National 3 Pibroch Music for solo bagpipe, in theme and variation form, and with grace
notes National 5
Piccolo A half-size flute which plays an octave higher than the standard flute National 5 Pitch bend Changing the pitch of a note, for example by pushing a guitar string
upwards National 5
Pizzicato Abbreviation pizz. An instruction given to string players to pluck the strings instead of using the bow
National 5
Plagal cadence Plagal cadence – A cadence is formed by two chords at the end
of a phrase. A plagal cadence is the subdominant to tonic chords ( IV–I ). In the key of C major, chords F to C.
Higher
Plainchant Also known as Plainsong and Gregorian chant. Unaccompanied melody set to words of the Roman Catholic liturgy, such as the Mass. Plainchants are modal and have no regular metre. They follow the rhythm of the Latin words.
Higher
Plucking Sound made when you pluck the strings of a stringed instrument with a finger or fingers
National 3
Polyphonic Texture which consists of two or more melodic lines, possibly of equal importance, which weave independently of each other
National 5
Pop A style of popular music played by a group of musicians National 3 Pulse The basic beat in music. The pulse may be in groups of two, three or
four with a stress on the first in each group National 3
Quaver e A note that lasts half a beat National 3 Question An opening phrase which is often followed by an answer National 3 Ragtime A style of dance music which became popular at the end of the 19th
century and which helped to influence jazz National 4
Rallentando The tempo (speed) of the music gradually slows down Higher Rapping Rhyming lyrics that are spoken and performed in time to a beat.
Rapping is popular in hip-hop music National 4
Recitative A type of vocal writing where the music follows the rhythm of speech. It is used in operas and oratorios to move the story or plot on.
Higher
Recorder There are four main types of recorder: descant, treble, tenor and bass
National 4
Reel A Scottish dance written in simple time with two or four beats in a bar
National 3
Reggae Reggae music was developed in the late 1960s in Jamaica. It has quite a distinctive sound and has the characteristics of strong accents on the 2nd and 4th beats of the bar
National 4
Relative major A change from minor to major key with the same key signature found three semitones higher, eg D minor to F major.
Higher Relative minor A change from major to minor key with the same key signature
found three semitones lower, eg C major to A minor. Higher
Repeat sign A sign which indicates a section of music should be repeated National 4 Repetition An exact repeat of a musical idea National 3
Stewarton Academy Music Department Senior Phase Glossary
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Reverb An electronic effect which can give the impression of different hall acoustics
National 5
Riff A repeat phrase usually found in jazz and popular music National 3 Ripieno In Baroque music, especially Concerto grosso, the term means
the main group of instrumentalists as opposed to the small/solo group which was known as the Concertino.
Higher
Ritardando The music slows down National 5 Ritornello Little return. A 17th-century term for a brief introduction or
interlude in a vocal composition, or for a brief instrumental
passage between scenes in a 17th-century opera. In a Concerto grosso, the ritornello is the main theme played by the Ripieno group (the orchestra) and sometimes by Concertino (the soloists). The ritornello may return frequently throughout the movement, similar to a Rondo.
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Rock A style of popular music with a heavy, driving beat. Usually features electric guitar, bass guitar and drum kit
National 3
Rock ‘n’ roll 1950s American music which grew from the combined styles of jazz, blues, gospel
National 3
Roll A very fast repetition of a note on a percussion instrument, e.g. on a snare drum or timpani
National 5
Romantic In music, the period 1810-1900 approximately, which followed the Classical era
National 4
Rondo A form where the first section (A) keeps returning, in between different sections – B, C etc
National 5
Round Each part sings or plays the same melody, entering one after the other. When they reach the end they start again
National 3
Rubato Translates as ‘robbed time’ which means the music will speed up and slow down in order to allow for expression, therefore there will not be a strict tempo maintained
National 5
Saxophone This instrument belongs to the woodwind family. It uses a single reed which is attached to a plastic mouthpiece
National 4
Scale A sequence of notes moving by step in an ascending or descending order
National 4
Scat singing Nonsense words, syllables and sounds are improvised (made up) by the singer. Sometimes the singer is imitating the sounds of instruments
National 4
Scotch snap A very short accented note before a longer note National 4 Scots ballad A Scottish song which tells a story. Examples of Scots ballads are
‘Flower of Scotland’ and ‘Loch Lomond’ National 4
Scottish Music of Scotland
National 3
Scottish dance band
A band which plays Scottish music for people to dance to National 3
Semibreve w A note that lasts for four beats National 3 Semiquaver y A note that lasts for a quarter (1/4) of a beat National 4 Semitone Half a tone, e.g. G to Ab on a keyboard. From one fret to another on
a guitar National 5
Sequence A melodic phrase which is immediately repeated at a higher or lower pitch
National 3
Sforzando A note played with a forced sudden accent National 5
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Simple time The music has two, three or four beats in each bar, and each beat is a crotchet (1 beat note) and each beat can be divided into 2
National 4
Sitar A plucked, stringed instrument from India. It’s basically an Indian guitar – easy to remember because sitar rhymes with guitar
National 5
Slower The tempo (speed) decreases National 3 Snare drum This instrument belongs to the percussion family and is played with
sticks or brushes. This drum can act as two different instruments – a side drum and a snare drum
National 4
Solo One instrument or voice. A prominent instrument or voice can be solo even when part of a larger ensemble
National 3
Sonata A work for solo piano, or a solo instrument accompanied by
piano, in three or four movements. Higher
Sonata form Sometimes known as first movement form. This term is used to describe the structure of the first movement of many sonatas, symphonies and often overtures. It falls into three sections: exposition, development and recapitulation. The exposition
introduces two contrasting themes in related keys. These are developed and heard again in the recapitulation, this time in the same key.
Higher
Soprano The highest range of female voice National 4 Soul music A style of Afro-American popular music including elements of
blues and gospel and conveying strong emotions. Higher
Staccato The notes are short and detached National 3 Steel band A West Indian band whose instruments are made out of oil drums
called pans. The top of each drum is hammered into panels to make different pitches
National 3
Step/stepwise Moving up or down between notes which are next to each other National 3
Strathspey A Scottish dance with four beats in a bar and usually featuring the Scotch snap
National 4
Striking The sound is produced by hitting the instrument National 3 Strings The family of instruments which have strings. The sound is produced
by dragging a bow across the strings or by plucking them with the fingers
National 3
String quartet An ensemble consisting of two violins, viola and cello. See chamber music.
Higher
Strophic A song which has music repeated for verses/choruses, therefore the same music will be heard repeating throughout the song
National 5
Strumming A finger, fingers or plectrum are drawn across the strings of an instrument, usually guitar
National 3
Subject The main theme in a composition, the main themes in sonata form, or the main theme on which a fugue is based.
Higher Swing A jazz style which started in the 1930s and was performed by a big
band. The numbers and types of instruments in the big bands increased during this period, through the influence of swing
National 4
Syllabic Vocal music where each syllable is given one note only National 5 Symphony A large work for orchestra, usually in four movements National 5 Syncopation Strongly accented notes playing off or against the beat. Syncopation
occurs in all kinds of music National 4
Tabla Indian drums often used to accompany the sitar National 5
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Tambourine This instrument belongs to the percussion family. A wooden or plastic frame has pairs of metal jingles attached and is mostly played by the hand striking or shaking the instrument
National 4
Tenor A high-pitched, adult male voice National 4 Ternary A B A – 3 part form: Section A, followed by a B section which is a
different melody, then a return to the A section National 4
Theme and variation
The structure of a piece where the melody is heard (the theme), then returns several times with variations
National 4
Three against two
One line of music may be playing quavers in groups of two whilst at the same time another line of music will be playing triplets. Other note values can be similarly used.
Higher
Through-composed
A vocal/choral composition in which there is little or no repetition of the music.
Higher
Tierce de Picardie When a piece of music which is in a minor key has a major chord as its last chord
Higher
Timpani A drum with skin stretched across a large bowl. It was traditionally made of copper, but is more commonly now made of fibreglass.
National 4
Tone The distance between two notes, equivalent to two semitones (for example, two frets on a guitar)
National 5
Tremolando Trembling, quivering. Term for the rapid up-and-down movement of a bow on a stringed instrument creating an
agitated, restless effect.
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Triangle This is a piece of metal in the shape of a triangle, open at one corner, and struck with a metal beater. It is an unturned percussion instrument, as it cannot play a range of notes
National 4
Trill Moving quickly and repeatedly between two notes which are a step apart
National 5
Triplets There are four main types of recorder: descant, treble, tenor and bass
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Trombone This is the only brass instrument that has a slide instead of valves. Air vibrates through a player’s lips, into a mouthpiece which is connected to the instrument
National 4
Trumpet The trumpet is the smallest and highest brass instrument in the brass family. Air vibrates through a player’s lips, into a mouthpiece which is connected to the instrument
National 4
Tuba The tuba is the largest and lowest brass instrument in the brass family. Air vibrates through a player’s lips, into a mouthpiece which is connected to the instrument
National 5
Unaccompanied There are no instruments playing in the background National 3 Unison Singing or playing the same notes at the same time National 3 Vamp A rhythmic accompaniment with a bass note played on the beat and
a chord off the beat. Usually played on piano or guitar National 4
Verse and chorus A structure/form popular in many songs. The music of the verse will repeat, often with different words, and between verses the chorus will normally repeat and features different music to the verse
National 4
Viola This instrument belongs to the string family. It is slightly bigger and lower in pitch than the violin, but looks similar. It can be played with a bow
National 5
Violin This instrument belongs to the string family. It is the smallest and highest pitched instrument in the string family. It can be played with a bow
National 4
Stewarton Academy Music Department Senior Phase Glossary
Higher Page 16
Voice The human instrument used to speak or sing National 3 Walking bass A bass line (low notes) often featured in a variety of jazz styles. It
goes for a walk, up and down a pattern of notes, and is often played on a double bass
National 5
Waltz A dance with three beats in a bar in simple time National 3 Waulking song A rhythmic song sung in Gaelic by the women in the Western Isles of
Scotland while they waulked woolen cloth to soften and shrink it National 5
Whole tone scale A scale containing no semitones but built entirely on whole tones National 5 Wind band A band with woodwind, brass and percussion instruments National 4 Woodwind Instruments which produce sounds by blowing across a hole, against
an edge or through a single or double reed, eg flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe and bassoon. They need not be made of wood
National 4
Xylophone This instrument belongs to the percussion family. The wooden bars are laid out in a similar pattern to the piano and are played with beaters
National 4
Stewarton Academy Music Department Senior Phase Glossary
Higher Page 17
MyMusicOnline.co.uk
Date studied
NA
TIO
NA
L 3
Literacy
Concepts
Style
Melody/Harmony
Rhythm/Tempo
Texture/Structure/Form
Timbre
Quizzes
How Is The Sound Produced?
Families Of Instruments
Instruments
Groups Of Instruments
Beats In The Bar
Tempo
Ostinato
Riff
Step Or Leap
Sequence
Discord
Vocal Music
Scottish Music
Styles
Legato Or Staccato
Connect Fours Quiz 1
Quiz 2
Stewarton Academy Music Department Senior Phase Glossary
Higher Page 18
MyMusicOnline.co.uk
Date studied
NA
TIO
NA
L 4
Literacy
Concepts
Style
Melody/Harmony
Rhythm/Tempo
Texture/Structure/Form
Timbre
Quizzes
Percussion Quiz
Woodwind And Brass Quiz
Bowed Strings Quiz
String Instruments Quiz
Instruments Quiz
Instrumental Groups
Voices Quiz
Vocal Music Quiz
Simple Or Compound Time Quiz
Anacrusis Quiz
Syncopation Quiz
Rhythm And Tempo Quiz
Scottish Dances Quiz
Scottish Music Quiz
Baroque Or Romantic Quiz
Styles Quiz
Concerto Quiz
Major And Minor Tonality Quiz
Drone, Pedal And Vamp Quiz
Melody Quiz
Change Of Key Quiz
Form And Structure Quiz
Chord Changes Question 1
Chord Changes Question 2
Chord Changes Question 3
Chord Changes Question 4
Chord Changes Question 5
Chord Changes Question 6
Connect Fours Quiz 1
Quiz 2
Stewarton Academy Music Department Senior Phase Glossary
Higher Page 19
MyMusicOnline.co.uk
Date studied
NA
TIO
NA
L 5
Literacy
Concepts
Style
Melody/Harmony
Rhythm/Tempo
Texture/Structure/Form
Timbre
Quizzes
Instruments Quiz
Instrumental Techniques Quiz
Scottish Quiz 1
Scottish Quiz 2
Vocal Quiz 1
Vocal Quiz 2
World Music Quiz
Symphony & Concerto Quiz
Baroque, Classical & Romantic Quiz
Rhythm Quiz
Time Signatures Quiz
20th & 21st Century Quiz
Textrue Quiz
Structure & Form Quiz
Bass Lines
Cadences Quiz
Harmony Quiz
Melody Quiz
Chord Changes Question 1
Chord Changes Question 2
Chord Changes Question 3
Chord Changes Question 4
Chord Changes Question 5
Chord Changes Question 6
Chord Changes Question 7
Dynamics Quiz
Connect Fours Quiz 1
Quiz 2
Course Questions
Multiple Choice
Multiple Choice (4 from 12)
Map
Cloze
Stewarton Academy Music Department Senior Phase Glossary
Higher Page 20
MyMusicOnline.co.uk
Date studied
HIG
HER
Literacy
Concepts
Style
Melody/Harmony
Rhythm/Tempo
Texture/Structure/Form
Timbre
Quizzes
Rhythm Quiz
Strings & Chamber Music Quiz
Vocal Quiz 1
Vocal Quiz 2
Baroque
Sonata & Sonata Form Quiz
20th & 21st Centuries Quiz
Cadences Quiz
Chords Quiz
Minor Scales Quiz
Ornaments Quiz
Tierce de Picardie Quiz
Connect Fours
Quiz 1
Quiz 2
Quiz 3
Quiz 4
Course Questions Multiple Choice
Short Answer
Map