OAE Music (032) flashcards

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

Order of sharps

The fixed sequence F, C, G, D, A, E, B; each new sharp lies a perfect fifth above the previous one, so key signatures add sharps in this order.

Deceptive cadence

A V–vi progression in which the expected tonic chord is replaced by the submediant, producing a surprise and postponing final closure.

Half cadence

A cadence that stops on the dominant chord, usually V, creating an open, unresolved ending typical at the midpoint of a period.

Neapolitan chord

A major triad built on the lowered second scale degree, normally used in first inversion (N6) as a predominant chord leading to V.

Second inversion triad

A triad with the fifth in the bass, figured 6/4, used mainly as a cadential, passing, or pedal six-four rather than as a stable chord.

B-flat instrument transposition

A B-flat instrument sounds a major second lower than written, so a written C sounds as B-flat; parts must be written a major second higher.

Whole-tone scale

A six-note scale built entirely of whole steps; it contains no leading tone or perfect fifth and is associated with Debussy and Impressionism.

Hemiola

A rhythmic device that regroups two beats in the time of three, or three in the time of two, often appearing at cadences in triple meter.

Ars Nova

Fourteenth-century French polyphonic style marked by mensural notation, isorhythm, and greater rhythmic complexity, described in Philippe de Vitry's treatise.

Basso continuo

A Baroque accompaniment of a keyboard instrument plus a bass instrument, both reading a figured bass line to supply harmony and rhythm.

Ritornello form

A Baroque form in which a recurring tutti refrain alternates with contrasting solo episodes, especially common in Vivaldi's concertos.

Sprechstimme

A vocal technique between speech and song in which the performer touches the pitch and immediately leaves it; used by Schoenberg in Pierrot lunaire.

Leitmotif

A short recurring musical theme associated with a character, object, or idea, central to Wagner's music dramas.

Slendro and pelog

The two tuning systems of Javanese and Balinese gamelan: slendro has five roughly equal steps, while pelog has seven unequal steps.

Raga and tala

In Indian classical music, raga is the melodic framework of pitches and ornaments, while tala is the repeating rhythmic cycle.

Maqam

A modal system of Arabic and Turkish art music that specifies pitch sets, microtonal intervals, patterns of melodic development, and typical phrases.

Ictus

The exact moment at the beat point where the conducting hand reverses direction; a crisp ictus gives the ensemble rhythmic precision.

Preparatory beat

The beat given before an entrance that establishes the tempo, dynamic level, and articulation of the music that follows.

Four-beat pattern

Down, left across the body, right outward, then up; the downbeat lands at the bottom and the fourth beat lifts into the next downbeat.

Pyramid balance

A balancing principle in which the melody is most prominent, the bass is next, and the inner voices are softest.

Passaggio

The transition zone between vocal registers where the singer must adjust resonance and breath pressure to keep the tone even.

Just major third

In just intonation the major third is about 14 cents narrower than in equal temperament, so unaccompanied choirs often sing it noticeably flatter.

Transposed score

A full score in which transposing instruments are printed at written pitch rather than sounding pitch, requiring the conductor to transpose mentally.

Sectional rehearsal

Isolating a short passage or a single section at a reduced tempo before returning it to context, used to correct specific problems efficiently.

National Core Arts Standards

Arts standards published in 2014 built on four processes-Creating, Performing/Presenting/Producing, Responding, and Connecting-and eleven anchor standards.

Formative assessment

Ongoing checks during instruction, such as questioning, observation, or exit tickets, used to adjust teaching rather than to assign a grade.

Summative assessment

An evaluation at the end of a unit or term-performance, project, or written test-that measures achievement against standards and typically yields a grade.

Analytic rubric

A scoring guide that lists separate criteria with individual descriptors and point levels, giving specific feedback on each dimension of a performance.

Backward design

A planning model that begins with desired results, then identifies acceptable evidence, then designs the learning experiences and instruction.

Orff-Schulwerk

An approach using speech, body percussion, barred instruments, and elemental improvisation, sequenced from imitation through exploration to creation.

Audiation

Gordon's term for hearing and comprehending music inwardly when no sound is present; it is the foundation of his Music Learning Theory.

Movable-do solfège

A system in which do is assigned to the tonic of whatever key is being sung, supporting relative pitch, sight-singing, and dictation.