Quick key vocab sheet here

Full descriptions and all vocab page here

HOW TO REVISE KEY VOCAB??

Make it relevant!

Use it in your composition logs, find it in your set works, look at examples, play/sing examples..

Below are just some of the key music vocabulary we have covered in lessons, with relevant links for ease of memory and learning.

Where examples are found in our prepared extracts, this is written in blue. 

Melody

Conjunct melodies move mainly by step (next door notes like C-D) and sound smooth.

Scalic (ascending/descending) – melodies are melodies that follow the order of a particular scale.  Similar to conjunct melodies except that a scalic melody can only move up or down to the next note of the scale, whereas a conjunct melody can have a few little jumps.

Countermelody – A countermelody is a secondary melody that is sung or played in counterpoint with the original melody. watch video 

Imitation – the act of repeating a melody, theme or motif but with variation in voice by way of transposition, inversion, etc., however in each repetition, the character of the melody, theme or motif stays the same. Further examples here.

Performance techniques/Articulation

Staccato – performed with each note sharply detached or separated from the others. See bar 13 of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. Tip: say/sing the word like it sounds.

Legato – in a smooth flowing manner, without breaks between notes. See the violins and viola parts in bars 21, 22 and 23 of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. Tip: say/sing the word like it sounds

Dynamics

• Pianissimo – pp – very quiet (see bar 17 of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik)
• Piano – p
• Mezzo piano – mp
• Mezzo forte –mf
• Forte – f
• Fortissimo –ff
• Crescendo – cresc. (see viola and violoncello in bar 12 of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik)
• Diminuendo
• Sforzando