AP Music Theory Vocabulary

Statement of a melody in smaller note values

Section which opens a piece & establishes melodic, harmonic, and/or rhythmic elements.

Backwards statement of the melody.

Phrases are repeated; often indicated by repeat sign, D.C., or D.S.

This is also known as cancrizens.

Restatement of an idea or motive at a different pitch level.

Accompanying melody sounded against the principal melody.

A very short coda.

Phrase is longer than expected without alternation of the beginning or end.

Connecting 2 phrases so that the cadence of one overlaps/serves as beginning of another phrase.

Breaking up a subject into segments, any one of which may form the basis for later development.

Statement of a melody in longer note values.

AB form; the A section does not repeat after the section.

Prolonging or delaying cadence with additional material.

A harmonic goal or resting place, or the chord progression leading to the resting place.

Extending a phrase beyond its expected length through repetition, addition, or evasion

Song structure in which the same music is repeated with different lyrics.

ABA; da capo form.

Transitional passage between major sections; may include a modulation.

ABA; most common form

Portion of a motive or larger musical idea.

The song refrain, or recurring material.

Shortest identifiable melodic or rhythmic idea.

AB; a portion of the A material is in section B.

Utilizing a melody with part of the end omitted.

Ending to a piece; contains new material not previously heard.