Modulations where the new key only lasts for a few bars.

A sustained or repeated note in the bass.

An essential melody part that must be played.

An ensemble usually combining string, woodwind, brass and percussion.

Adding more to a previously-made recording.

How notes are measured in terms of beats.

When composers earned money from a wealthy individual for writing music.

A musical phrase or rhythm that is repeated over and over.

A recording on separate tracks.

A synthesizer sound designed to be used in chords as opposed to lead lines.

Integrates songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance, in a popular idiom.

Music written between c.1750 and c.1820.

Music written between c.1600 and c.1750.

Playing / singing at sight (sight reading)

Reading and playing or singing notation without preparation time.

How many octaves an instrument can play.

2+ songs that can be sung separately or together.

"Picking out" a melody on a pitched instrument without written music.

Music written between c.1600 and c.1750.

How bars are made into a musical sentence.

The notes should be played an octave higher than written.

Music written between c.1810 and c.1900.

Simultaneous combination of contrasting rhythms in a musical composition.

Plucking the string on a violin, viola, 'cello or double bass.

The process of decorating a melody.

A concluding section, sometimes like a coda in classical music.

Giving sounds different levels in the left and right speakers.

The music setting sound like the word, e.g. drop.

Music written between c.1750 and c.1820.

A moment of silence in music. Rests can last for different lengths of time.

Music written between c.1400 and c.1600.

A note worth two beats, represented by a hollow dot with a stem.

A short melodic phrase of just a few notes.

Relative volume of the parts in a recording & place in the stereo field.

A large-scale musical composition on a sacred or semisacred subject.

A chord built on the flattened supertonic note.

An ‘introductory’ piece preceding (an)other piece(s).

Monophony (adj. Monophonic)

A single melodic line which can be sung or played by several people.

Recapitulation (Sonata form)

This is a repeat of the exposition, with some changes.

Music learnt by listening and repeating, and passed on orally

Music written between c.1810 and c.1900.

Moving and static parts

Another way to describe melody and accompaniment.

How high or low in pitch a piece of music or a musical part sounds.

Relative minor / major

Major keys and their relative minors have the same key signature.

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Glossary 4/6 Pearson Edexcel GCSE Music

79 termsStudBud Administration

Musical terms and definitions

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Questions 79

Answers

1
Passing modulations
A musical phrase or rhythm that is repeated over and over.
A chord built on the flattened supertonic note.
Modulations where the new key only lasts for a few bars.
Tonality based on modes.
2
Pedal
A concluding section, sometimes like a coda in classical music.
Use of the same pitch repeatedly in a melodic part
A sustained or repeated note in the bass.
A series of eight notes e.g. between one C and the next C.
3
Obbligato
A single melodic line which can be sung or played by several people.
Major keys and their relative minors have the same key signature.
A recording of a piece submitted for GCSE Component 1.
An essential melody part that must be played.
4
Orchestra
Gradually growing slower.
A recording on separate tracks.
An ensemble usually combining string, woodwind, brass and percussion.
2 beats of silence.
5
Overdubbing
Adding more to a previously-made recording.
Connects two sections of a pop or rock song.
The music setting sound like the word, e.g. drop.
A type of ornament.
6
Note values
An ‘introductory’ piece preceding (an)other piece(s).
Change of key
How notes are measured in terms of beats.
How high or low in pitch a piece of music or a musical part sounds.
7
Patronage
How notes are measured in terms of beats.
The notes should be played an octave higher than written.
When composers earned money from a wealthy individual for writing music.
Change of key
8
Piano (p)
An essential melody part that must be played.
The note or rest that the pause is assigned to should be prolonged.
The notes should be played an octave lower than written.
Soft
9
Ostinato / Ostinati
A chord built on the flattened supertonic note.
This is a repeat of the exposition, with some changes.
A musical phrase or rhythm that is repeated over and over.
Tonality based on modes.
10
Multi-track
"Picking out" a melody on a pitched instrument without written music.
Gradually growing slower.
A recording on separate tracks.
2 beats of silence.
11
Pad
The note C in the middle of the keyboard.
A synthesizer sound designed to be used in chords as opposed to lead lines.
Music learnt by listening and repeating, and passed on orally
A short melodic phrase of just a few notes.
12
Musical theatre
Simultaneous combination of contrasting rhythms in a musical composition.
Relative volume of the parts in a recording & place in the stereo field.
Integrates songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance, in a popular idiom.
How many octaves an instrument can play.
13
Classical period
Music written between c.1810 and c.1900.
Music written between c.1400 and c.1600.
Music written between c.1750 and c.1820.
Music written between c.1600 and c.1750.
14
Modulation
Soft
Change of key
How high or low in pitch a piece of music or a musical part sounds.
An ‘introductory’ piece preceding (an)other piece(s).
15
Pull off
A guitar technique.
Adding more to a previously-made recording.
Where the original pitch of a sound is raised or lowered.
A five-note scale or a melody that uses only five different notes.
16
Baroque period
Music written between c.1750 and c.1820.
Music written between c.1400 and c.1600.
Music written between c.1810 and c.1900.
Music written between c.1600 and c.1750.
17
Playing / singing at sight (sight reading)
Reading and playing or singing notation without preparation time.
Giving sounds different levels in the left and right speakers.
Chord V followed by chord I.
An ensemble usually combining string, woodwind, brass and percussion.
18
Range 2)
How many octaves an instrument can play.
Simultaneous combination of contrasting rhythms in a musical composition.
In song, phrasing indicates where the singer should breathe.
Modulations where the new key only lasts for a few bars.
19
Partner songs
2+ songs that can be sung separately or together.
Notes that decorate a melody.
Based on minor scales, with a minor 3rd between scale degrees 1 and 3
Fast octave repetitions in the bass.
20
Playing by ear
"Picking out" a melody on a pitched instrument without written music.
How bars are made into a musical sentence.
2+ songs that can be sung separately or together.
Notes that decorate a melody.
21
Baroque period
Music written between c.1400 and c.1600.
Music written between c.1810 and c.1900.
Music written between c.1600 and c.1750.
Music written between c.1750 and c.1820.
22
Phrase
2+ songs that can be sung separately or together.
Fast octave repetitions in the bass.
How bars are made into a musical sentence.
Notes that decorate a melody.
23
Ottava alta: 8va
Change of key
The notes should be played an octave higher than written.
How notes are measured in terms of beats.
How high or low in pitch a piece of music or a musical part sounds.
24
Romantic period
Music written between c.1750 and c.1820.
Music written between c.1810 and c.1900.
Music written between c.1400 and c.1600.
Music written between c.1600 and c.1750.
25
Polyrhythmic
In song, phrasing indicates where the singer should breathe.
A musical phrase or rhythm that is repeated over and over.
Simultaneous combination of contrasting rhythms in a musical composition.
Modulations where the new key only lasts for a few bars.
26
Pizzicato
Plucking the string on a violin, viola, 'cello or double bass.
A scale with five notes e.g. C D E (F) G A (B) - very common in folk music.
A synthesizer sound designed to be used in chords as opposed to lead lines.
Music learnt by listening and repeating, and passed on orally
27
Mordent
A type of ornament.
Plucking the string on a violin, viola, 'cello or double bass.
Connects two sections of a pop or rock song.
A note worth half a beat.
28
Ornamentation
The process of decorating a melody.
How many octaves an instrument can play.
Integrates songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance, in a popular idiom.
Relative volume of the parts in a recording & place in the stereo field.
29
Outro
Use of the same pitch repeatedly in a melodic part
A moment of silence in music. Rests can last for different lengths of time.
A concluding section, sometimes like a coda in classical music.
A series of eight notes e.g. between one C and the next C.
30
Panning
An ensemble usually combining string, woodwind, brass and percussion.
A recording on separate tracks.
2 beats of silence.
Giving sounds different levels in the left and right speakers.
31
Onomatopoeic
The music setting sound like the word, e.g. drop.
Connects two sections of a pop or rock song.
A note worth half a beat.
A type of ornament.
32
Classical period
Music written between c.1810 and c.1900.
Music written between c.1600 and c.1750.
Music written between c.1750 and c.1820.
Music written between c.1400 and c.1600.
33
Rests (pause)
A guitar technique.
A moment of silence in music. Rests can last for different lengths of time.
Where the original pitch of a sound is raised or lowered.
A five-note scale or a melody that uses only five different notes.
34
Renaissance period
Music written between c.1810 and c.1900.
Music written between c.1750 and c.1820.
Music written between c.1600 and c.1750.
Music written between c.1400 and c.1600.
35
Minim / half note
2 distinct phrases usually written in different parts of the music.
Reading and playing or singing notation without preparation time.
Chord V followed by chord I.
A note worth two beats, represented by a hollow dot with a stem.
36
Motif
1/2 (half) a beat of silence.
The note C in the middle of the keyboard.
A short melodic phrase of just a few notes.
Phrase ends with the chords IV-I
37
Mix
In song, phrasing indicates where the singer should breathe.
Simultaneous combination of contrasting rhythms in a musical composition.
How many octaves an instrument can play.
Relative volume of the parts in a recording & place in the stereo field.
38
Pitch
A series of eight notes e.g. between one C and the next C.
A sustained or repeated note in the bass.
A concluding section, sometimes like a coda in classical music.
How high or low a note is.
39
Oratorio
A large-scale musical composition on a sacred or semisacred subject.
A note worth two beats, represented by a hollow dot with a stem.
Another way to describe melody and accompaniment.
2 distinct phrases usually written in different parts of the music.
40
Neapolitan chord
This is a repeat of the exposition, with some changes.
A chord built on the flattened supertonic note.
Chords that are built from two keys simultaneously.
Tonality based on modes.
41
Prelude
The notes should be played an octave lower than written.
An ‘introductory’ piece preceding (an)other piece(s).
The note or rest that the pause is assigned to should be prolonged.
Soft
42
Monophony (adj. Monophonic)
How high or low a note is.
Major keys and their relative minors have the same key signature.
A single melodic line which can be sung or played by several people.
A recording of a piece submitted for GCSE Component 1.
43
Ornament / Ornamentation / Ornamented
Notes that decorate a melody.
Based on minor scales, with a minor 3rd between scale degrees 1 and 3
Distance between the lowest and highest notes in a single melodic part.
Fast octave repetitions in the bass.
44
Recapitulation (Sonata form)
When composers earned money from a wealthy individual for writing music.
Very soft
Chords that are built from two keys simultaneously.
This is a repeat of the exposition, with some changes.
45
Oral tradition
1/2 (half) a beat of silence.
A short melodic phrase of just a few notes.
Music learnt by listening and repeating, and passed on orally
The note C in the middle of the keyboard.
46
Minim / half note rest
2 beats of silence.
Gradually growing slower.
How bars are made into a musical sentence.
"Picking out" a melody on a pitched instrument without written music.
47
Romantic period
Music written between c.1400 and c.1600.
Music written between c.1810 and c.1900.
Music written between c.1750 and c.1820.
Music written between c.1600 and c.1750.
48
Pianissimo (pp)
When composers earned money from a wealthy individual for writing music.
Very soft
How notes are measured in terms of beats.
The notes should be played an octave higher than written.
49
Moving and static parts
2 distinct phrases usually written in different parts of the music.
Reading and playing or singing notation without preparation time.
A note worth two beats, represented by a hollow dot with a stem.
Another way to describe melody and accompaniment.
50
Register
Soft
How high or low in pitch a piece of music or a musical part sounds.
An ‘introductory’ piece preceding (an)other piece(s).
The note or rest that the pause is assigned to should be prolonged.
51
Relative minor / major
Major keys and their relative minors have the same key signature.
A recording of a piece submitted for GCSE Component 1.
A sustained or repeated note in the bass.
How high or low a note is.
52
Pitch shift
A five-note scale or a melody that uses only five different notes.
Adding more to a previously-made recording.
Where the original pitch of a sound is raised or lowered.
The music setting sound like the word, e.g. drop.
53
Octave
A series of eight notes e.g. between one C and the next C.
A guitar technique.
Use of the same pitch repeatedly in a melodic part
A moment of silence in music. Rests can last for different lengths of time.
54
Pause
The notes should be played an octave lower than written.
The note or rest that the pause is assigned to should be prolonged.
An essential melody part that must be played.
A single melodic line which can be sung or played by several people.
55
Middle C
Phrase ends with the chords IV-I
1/2 (half) a beat of silence.
The note C in the middle of the keyboard.
Instruments that are struck with a mallet, beater or stick.
56
Phrasing 1)
The process of decorating a melody.
A constantly moving passage, often patterns of quick notes and sequences.
Connecting several notes or rhythms that make sense musically.
Integrates songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance, in a popular idiom.
57
Monotone
A moment of silence in music. Rests can last for different lengths of time.
Use of the same pitch repeatedly in a melodic part
Where the original pitch of a sound is raised or lowered.
A guitar technique.
58
Question and answer
Giving sounds different levels in the left and right speakers.
Chord V followed by chord I.
2 distinct phrases usually written in different parts of the music.
Reading and playing or singing notation without preparation time.
59
Polytonal
Very soft
The notes should be played an octave higher than written.
When composers earned money from a wealthy individual for writing music.
Chords that are built from two keys simultaneously.
60
Phrasing 2)
In song, phrasing indicates where the singer should breathe.
A musical phrase or rhythm that is repeated over and over.
A chord built on the flattened supertonic note.
Modulations where the new key only lasts for a few bars.
61
Modal
Chords that are built from two keys simultaneously.
Tonality based on modes.
This is a repeat of the exposition, with some changes.
Very soft
62
Plagal cadence
A large-scale musical composition on a sacred or semisacred subject.
Instruments that are struck with a mallet, beater or stick.
Phrase ends with the chords IV-I
Two eighth notes (quavers) together.
63
Passagework
The process of decorating a melody.
Relative volume of the parts in a recording & place in the stereo field.
Integrates songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance, in a popular idiom.
A constantly moving passage, often patterns of quick notes and sequences.
64
Renaissance period
Music written between c.1750 and c.1820.
Music written between c.1400 and c.1600.
Music written between c.1600 and c.1750.
Music written between c.1810 and c.1900.
65
Polyphony (adj. polyphonic)
Literally, "many sounds"; more than one melody sounding at the same time.
A constantly moving passage, often patterns of quick notes and sequences.
The process of decorating a melody.
Connecting several notes or rhythms that make sense musically.
66
Quaver / eighth note
A synthesizer sound designed to be used in chords as opposed to lead lines.
A note worth half a beat.
Plucking the string on a violin, viola, 'cello or double bass.
A scale with five notes e.g. C D E (F) G A (B) - very common in folk music.
67
Pentatonic scale
A synthesizer sound designed to be used in chords as opposed to lead lines.
A short melodic phrase of just a few notes.
A scale with five notes e.g. C D E (F) G A (B) - very common in folk music.
Music learnt by listening and repeating, and passed on orally
68
Paired quaver / paired eighth note
A large-scale musical composition on a sacred or semisacred subject.
Another way to describe melody and accompaniment.
A note worth two beats, represented by a hollow dot with a stem.
Two eighth notes (quavers) together.
69
Quaver / eighth note rest
1/2 (half) a beat of silence.
Two eighth notes (quavers) together.
Phrase ends with the chords IV-I
Instruments that are struck with a mallet, beater or stick.
70
Pentatonic
The music setting sound like the word, e.g. drop.
A type of ornament.
Adding more to a previously-made recording.
A five-note scale or a melody that uses only five different notes.
71
Ottava bassa: 8vb
A single melodic line which can be sung or played by several people.
An essential melody part that must be played.
The notes should be played an octave lower than written.
Major keys and their relative minors have the same key signature.
72
Range 1)
Literally, "many sounds"; more than one melody sounding at the same time.
A constantly moving passage, often patterns of quick notes and sequences.
Distance between the lowest and highest notes in a single melodic part.
Connecting several notes or rhythms that make sense musically.
73
Percussion family
Instruments that are struck with a mallet, beater or stick.
Another way to describe melody and accompaniment.
Two eighth notes (quavers) together.
A large-scale musical composition on a sacred or semisacred subject.
74
Professional reference recording
A recording of a piece submitted for GCSE Component 1.
A concluding section, sometimes like a coda in classical music.
How high or low a note is.
A sustained or repeated note in the bass.
75
Middle 8
Plucking the string on a violin, viola, 'cello or double bass.
A note worth half a beat.
Connects two sections of a pop or rock song.
A scale with five notes e.g. C D E (F) G A (B) - very common in folk music.
76
Perfect cadence
Giving sounds different levels in the left and right speakers.
An ensemble usually combining string, woodwind, brass and percussion.
A recording on separate tracks.
Chord V followed by chord I.
77
Rallentando
2+ songs that can be sung separately or together.
How bars are made into a musical sentence.
Gradually growing slower.
"Picking out" a melody on a pitched instrument without written music.
78
Minor
Distance between the lowest and highest notes in a single melodic part.
Literally, "many sounds"; more than one melody sounding at the same time.
Connecting several notes or rhythms that make sense musically.
Based on minor scales, with a minor 3rd between scale degrees 1 and 3
79
Murky bass
Fast octave repetitions in the bass.
Based on minor scales, with a minor 3rd between scale degrees 1 and 3
Literally, "many sounds"; more than one melody sounding at the same time.
Distance between the lowest and highest notes in a single melodic part.

Glossary 4/6 Pearson Edexcel GCSE Music Flashcards | StudBud