NCEA L1 Music flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Metre

The pattern of strong and weak beats organised in bars, shown by the time signature; simple time divides each beat into two, compound time into three.

Tonality

The key centre or tonal system of a work, such as major, minor, modal, pentatonic or atonal; the tonic note acts as the musical home point.

Perfect cadence

A cadence moving from chord V to chord I with both chords in root position and the melody ending on the tonic, giving a strong sense of final close.

Imperfect cadence

A V–I cadence in which either chord is inverted or the melody does not finish on the tonic, producing a weaker, less final closing effect.

Plagal cadence

A cadence moving from chord IV to chord I, often called the amen cadence, commonly heard at the end of hymns and chorale phrases.

Interrupted cadence

A cadence moving from chord V to chord vi instead of the expected I, creating a surprising, deferred or unresolved ending to a phrase.

Half cadence

A phrase ending on chord V, leaving the harmony open and unfinished so that the music feels as though it must continue.

Monophonic texture

A texture consisting of a single melodic line with no accompaniment, performed by one voice or by several voices or instruments in unison.

Homophonic texture

A texture in which a melody is supported by chordal accompaniment, so all parts move largely together in the same rhythm beneath the tune.

Polyphonic texture

A texture of two or more independent melodic lines sounding simultaneously, each with its own shape and rhythm, as in a fugue or canon.

Binary form

A two-part musical structure labelled AB, in which the first section presents material and the second section contrasts and often returns to the home key.

Ternary form

A three-part structure labelled ABA, where an opening section is followed by a contrasting middle section and then a return of the opening material.

Rondo form

A structure built on a recurring main theme alternating with contrasting episodes, typically labelled ABACA or ABACABA, giving a cyclical sense of return.

Theme and variations

A form in which a stated theme is followed by successive variations that alter melody, rhythm, harmony, texture, timbre or tempo while retaining the original identity.

Ostinato

A short musical pattern, rhythmic or melodic, repeated persistently throughout a passage while other parts change around it.

Sequence

A melodic or harmonic figure repeated at a higher or lower pitch level, often used to build momentum and extend a phrase.

Imitation

A device in which one part restates a melodic idea shortly after another part has played it, as heard in canons, fugues and many contrapuntal textures.

Pedal point

A sustained note, usually in the bass, held while the harmony above it changes, creating tension or stability depending on the intervals formed.

Modulation

A change of key within a work, usually prepared by a pivot chord or a dominant of the new key, creating contrast and structural movement.

12-bar blues

A twelve-bar harmonic pattern using chords I, IV and V, typically I–I–I–I–IV–IV–I–I–V–IV–I–V, with a distinctive blues scale melody.

Verse–chorus form

A popular song structure alternating verses, which carry new lyrics, with a repeated chorus that states the main hook and title idea.

Strophic form

A song form in which the same music is repeated for each verse while the words change, giving a simple repeated structure labelled AAA.

Through-composed

A structure in which new music is written for each successive section, with little or no repetition of earlier material, often following a narrative text.

Transposing instrument

An instrument such as clarinet in Bb or horn in F whose written pitch sounds a fixed interval lower than notated, so the score must be read at sounding pitch.

Score order

The standard layout of an ensemble score, grouping instruments by family from highest to lowest: woodwind, brass, percussion, then strings.

Timbre

The tone colour or quality of a sound that distinguishes one instrument or voice from another, determined by harmonic content and attack.

Dynamics

The loudness level of music, notated with Italian terms and symbols such as pp, p, mf, f, ff, crescendo and diminuendo.

Tempo

The speed of the music, indicated by Italian terms such as largo, andante, allegro and presto, or by a metronome mark in beats per minute.

Da capo and dal segno

Navigation markings meaning repeat from the beginning (da capo) or from the sign (dal segno), often followed by al fine or al coda.

Solo performance standard

An internally assessed standard requiring prepared solo performance evidence, graded on technical accuracy, fluency, expression and stylistic understanding of the repertoire.

Group performance standard

An internally assessed standard requiring ensemble performance evidence, graded on individual accuracy and intonation as well as balance, blend and collaboration within the group.

Composition portfolio

Internal assessment evidence comprising a completed score or lead sheet, a recording where practicable, and drafts showing development of musical ideas and structural coherence.