Page 343 - (DK) The Classical Music Book - Big Ideas Simply Explained

GLOSSARY 341

Dynamics Differences in volume to indicate the presence of its sound-world involving
of a piece or section of music; also associated character, emotion, an almost hypnotic texture of
refers to the notation system of or object. repeated short patterns.
markings on sheet music that
instruct players on volume. Libretto The text of an opera or Minor A term applied to a key
other vocal dramatic work. signature or chord, triad, or scale
Flat A note that has been lowered in a minor key; has a relative major
by a half step (B lowered by a half Lied Traditional German song, key. Different to its relative major in
step is B-flat); also describes an popularized by Schubert. that the third note (and sometimes
instrument or voice that is out sixth and seventh) are flatted,
of tune by being lower than the Madrigal Secular “a cappella” leading to a darker sound.
intended pitch. song that was popular in
Renaissance England and Italy; Mode Seven-note scale inherited
Fugue From the Italian fuga, often set to a love poem. from Ancient Greece via the Middle
“to chase”; a highly structured Ages, in which they were most
contrapuntal piece, in two or more Major A term applied to a key prevalent; they survive today in
parts, popular in the Baroque era. signature or any chord, triad, or folk music and plainsong.
The separate voices or lines enter scale in a major key. The intervals
one by one imitatively. in a major key consist of two whole Modulation A shift from one key
steps followed by a half step, then to another—for example, from C
Harmony The simultaneous three whole steps followed by a half major to A minor.
playing of different (usually step. Major keys are often described
complementary) notes. The basic as sounding happy, while minor Monody Vocal style developed in
unit of harmony is the chord. keys are subdued and sad. the Baroque period with a single,
dominant melodic line; can be
Interval The difference in pitch Mass Main service of the Roman accompanied or unaccompanied.
between two notes, expressed Catholic Church, highly formalized
numerically to show how many half in structure, comprising specific Monophonic Describes music
steps apart they are; can be called sections—known as the “Ordinary”— written in a single line, or melody
“major,” “minor,” or “perfect,” for performed in the following order: without an accompaniment.
example, a “minor third” is an Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus with
interval of three semitones, while Hosanna and Benedictus, and Motet A polyphonic choral
a “major third” is an interval of four. Agnus Dei and Dona nobis pacem. composition based on a sacred
text, usually unaccompanied.
Key The tonal center of a piece of Measure A segment of musical
music, based on the first note (or time containing a fixed number Movement A self-contained
tonic) of the scale. of beats, depending on the time section of a larger work; so called
signature; measures are visualized because each has a different,
Key signature A written indication by vertical lines on a score. autonomous tempo indication.
of which key to play in, shown by
a group of accidentals— sharps or Melody A series of notes that Musique concrète Electronic
flats—at the beginning of a staff. together create a tune or theme. music comprising instrumental
Rather than writing in a sharp for and natural sounds, often altered or
each F and C in a piece in D major, Mezzo-soprano Literally “half distorted in the recording process.
for example, the two sharps would soprano”; the lowest soprano voice;
be included on the staff. one tone above contralto. Natural A note that is neither
sharp nor flat. A natural symbol
Leitmotif Literally “leading motif” Minimalism A predominantly can be used following a sharp or
in German; a short musical phrase American school of music from the flat introduced earlier in a measure,
that recurs through the piece mid-20th century, which favored a to indicate that the player not flat

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