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AP Music Theory vocabulary list Flashcards

From a packet I got in class. It should include pretty much every vocab word you'll ever see on the AP Music Theory exam.
Probably has a few spelling mistakes, repeats or misuses of words here or there, but there are 298 of them so bare with me.

Terms : Hide Images
1697636921CadenceEnding of a musical phrase0
1697636922Cadential extentionExtension of a cadence using the same chords1
1697636923CodaClosing musical material, not included in the main idea.2
1697636924CodettaA small coda3
1697636925ContourShape of a melody4
1697636926CountermelodyMelody that is equally important to the main melody; usually provides consonace5
1697636927ElisionOne phrase connecting to the other6
1697636928FragmentPart of a motive7
1697636929IntroductionA preparatory movement, usually in a slow tempo to introduce a larger composition. The term is chiefly applied to Classical and Romantic music, but is not exclusively applicable to those eras.8
1697636930BridgeConnects the B and A section9
1697636931ChorusA group of people singing a song, usually with multiple parts, together. The main tune.10
1697636932Song Form (AABA, ABA, ABA', etc.)The form a song is in.11
1697636933TurnaroundGets you back to the beginning12
1697636934Twelve-bar bluesI,I,I,I,IV,IV,I,I,V,V,IV,IV,I13
1697636935AugmentationWhen the notes in a melody are increased, generally by half, in value. Antonym: Diminution14
1697636936ConjunctStepwise melodic motion15
1697636937DiminutionWhen a melody played in such a way that the time value of every note is shortened, generally halved, in value. Its antonym is ' augmentation'16
1697636938DisjunctMelodic motion in intervals larger than a 2nd17
1697636939Extended versionwat18
1697636940FragmentationWhen part of the song is broken into parts19
1697636941Internal expansionExpands beyond expect phrase length20
1697636942Inversion, Melodic inversionWhen you take one of the upper notes of a chord or interval and take the notes bellow it and put them on top.21
1697636943Literal RepetitionWhen sequences are repeated exactly.22
1697636944Motivic repetitionWhen the rhythmic theme is changed23
1697636945Octave displacementTaking a melodic line and moving the notes to a different octave24
1697636946RetrogradeBackwards modulation25
1697636947Rhythmic transformationrhythm changes26
1697636948Sequencepitch and rhythmic pattern, repeated and different pitch levels27
1697636949Sequential repetitionA sequence that repeats28
1697636950Shortened versionWhen a song is shortened29
1697636951TranspositionChange of key in the entire work30
1697636952TruncationTo shorten, fragment31
1697636953MotiveSmallest musical idea32
1697636954AntecedentThe "Call" in a call and response33
1697636955ConsequentThe "Response" in a call and response34
1697636956Contrasting periodWhen two phrases begin different35
1697636957Double period2 periods put together36
1697636958Parallel periodWhen two phrases begin the same37
1697636959Repeated periodExact repetition38
1697636960Phrase groupGroup of phrases that seem to belong together without forming a period39
1697636961RefrainSimilar to a Chorus; the main tune40
1697636962Binary small formMovement with two main sections (AB)41
1697636963Rounded binary small formA B1/2 A42
1697636964TernaryStatement, contrast, return (ABA)43
1697636965Solo, SoliGroup of soloists44
1697636966StanzaDifferent verses45
1697636967StrophicMusic repeats, lyrics change46
1697636968ThemeMain idea of the song, what it's about47
1697636969Thematic transformationWhen the theme changes in the song48
1697636970Throuhg-composedNo form49
1697636971TuttiAll, everyone50
1697636972VariationMaterial is altered during repetition51
1697636973Capital roman numeralsIndicate major triads52
1697636974Lowercase roman numeralsIndicate minor triads53
1697636975Capital roman numeral with *Augmented triad54
1697636976Lowercase roman numeral with °Diminished triad55
1697636977Arabic numerals or figured bass numerals do what?Denote intervals above the bass and hence indirectly indicate chord inversion. Arabic numerals may indicate voice leading and/or nonharmonic tones.56
1697636978Figured Bass 6Inidicates first inversion triad (third on bottom)57
1697636979figured bass 6/4indicates second inversion triad (5th on bottom)58
1697636980Figured bass 7Indicated root position seventh chord (root on bottom)59
1697636981figured bass °7Fully diminished seventh chord (diminished triad with minor third on top)60
1697636982figured bass ø7Half diminished seventh chord (diminished triad with major third on top)61
1697636983figured bass 6/5first inversion seventh chord (3rd on the bottom)62
1697636984figured bass 4/3second inversion seventh chord (5th on the bottom)63
1697636985figured bass 4/2third inversion seventh chord (7th on the bottom)64
1697636986figured bass 8-7suspension where the 8 moves to the seven65
16976369879-8. 7-6, 4-3 figured bassAll indicate suspension and a melodic resolution66
1697636988accidental before Arabic numeralalteration of an interval67
1697636989a slash through one of the arabic numerals or a plus after the arabic numeralindicates that the note creating the interval in question is raised a half step68
1697636990imperfect authentic cadencemust end on I chord69
1697636991perfect authentic cadenceV to I; in root position; melody ends on tonic70
1697636992conclusive cadencecadence ends on tonic triad71
1697636993deceptive cadenceV to vi72
1697636994half cadenceends on V73
1697636995Phrygian half cadenceiv6 to V/V774
1697636996inconclusive cadenceends in something other than the tonic chord75
1697636997PlagalIV to I76
1697636998Augmented triad (*)two major thirds make up the triad77
1697636999diminished triad (°)Two minor triads make up the triad78
1697637000Major triad (M)a major then a minor third makes up the triad79
1697637001Minor triad (m)a minor then a major third makes up the triad80
1697637002Major seventh chord (Major triad with major third on top81
1697637003dominant seventh chorda major triad with a minor third on top82
1697637004minor seventh chordminor triad with minor third on top83
1697637005Half diminished seventh chorddiminished triad with major third on top84
1697637006fully diminished seventh chorddiminished triad with minor third on top85
1697637007Tonicfirst scale degree86
1697637008supertonicsecond scale degree87
1697637009mediantthird scale degree88
1697637010subdominantfourth scale degree89
1697637011dominantfifth scale degree90
1697637012submediantsixth scale degree91
1697637013subtonicwhole step bellow the tonic92
1697637014leading tonehalf step below tonic93
1697637015tonic functionha94
1697637016dominant functionleads to tonic, sets up half cadence95
1697637017predominant functionsets up dominant tonic tonailities96
1697637018Circle of fifthskeys or tonalities ordered by ascending (for sharp keys) or descending (for flat keys) intervals of a fifth97
1697637019deceptive progressionThe root of a secondary dominant can move up stepwise in its own deceptive progression98
1697637020Harmonic rhythmThe rate of chord change, or the series of durational patterns formed by the chord changes in a musical work.99
1697637021modulationchange of tone within a piece100
1697637022common tone modulationusing one or more tones that are common to both keys as an intersection b/w them101
1697637023Phrase modulationmodulations without common chords or tones102
1697637024Pivot chord modulationusing one or more chords that are common to both keys as an intersection b/w them103
1697637025Neighboring chordlol104
1697637026Retrogressionseries of chords that weaken tonality105
1697637027secondary dominantthe V or Dominant of a key other than Tonic106
1697637028secondary leading tone chordA leading-tone chord that functions as an applied, or secondary, dominant; usually a fully diminished seventh chord.107
1697637029tonicizationa chord other than tonic that seems to the ear to be a temporary tonic108
1697637030Arpeggiating 6/4 chorda 6/4 created by arpeggiation of the triad in the bass109
1697637031cadential 6/4 chorda 1 6/4 preceding the dominant, often at a cadence, although it contains the notes of the tonic triad, it doesn't exercise a tonic function but rather serves as an embellishment of the dominant. it occurs in a metrically stronger position than the dominant and the upper voices most often move by step to the tones of the dominant. may also be written as V6/4=5/3, including the resolution of the cadential 6/4 to the dominant.110
1697637032Neighboring of pedal 6/4 chord(embellishing 6/4, auxilary 6/4) occurs when the third and the fifth of a root position triad are embellished by their respective upper neighboring tones, while the bass is stationary, usually occurring on a weak beat.111
1697637033passing 6/4 chordharmonizes the second note of a three note ascending or descending scale fragment in the bass; that is, it harmonizes a bass passing tone. the usual metric placement is on an unaccented beat and the motion of the upper voices is ordinarily by step.112
1697637034anticipationapproached by step or leap, same tone as following note113
1697637035appoggiaturaapproached by leap, resolved by step114
1697637036escape toneapproached by step, resolved by leap115
1697637037embellishmentmelodic decoration116
1697637038neighboring tone can be known as...(auxiliary tone, embellishing tone, neighbor note)117
1697637039double neighboring toneinvolves one note on top of the other118
1697637040lower neighborapproached by step down, resolved by step to the original note119
1697637041upper neighborapproached by step up, resolved by step down to the original note120
1697637042neighbor group (cambiata, changing tones, changing notes)oh121
1697637043ornamentnonharmonic tones122
1697637044passing toneapproach my step, resolve by step, moving in the same direction123
1697637045pedal pointsuspension of same note throughout124
1697637046preparationtone preceding suspension125
1697637047resolutionWhen the dissonant note is changed to a consonant one.126
1697637048retardationopposite of a suspension; resolves up instead of down127
1697637049suspensiona tone held from one chord into another, and then resolved down to the chordal note128
1697637050closed positionnotes placed as close as possible on the staff129
1697637051doublingto duplicate a note into another octave130
1697637052open positionwide intervals between parts131
1697637053rootthe note a chord is built on132
1697637054root positionroot is in the bass133
1697637055common tonea tone that is common in two chords134
1697637056contrary motionwhen two parts move in opposite directions135
1697637057cross relationwhen a note sounds with its altered equivalent136
1697637058crossed voiceswhen an upper voice goes bellow a note used previously in a lower voice, and vice versa137
1697637059direct fifths/direct octaveswhen the outside voices move in the same direction138
1697637060oblique motionthe relative motion of two melodic parts in which one remains in place or moves relatively little while the other moves more actively.139
1697637061overlapping voiceswhen an upper voice is lower than a voice lower than it, and vice versa140
1697637062parallel motionwhen two voice parts move in the same direction141
1697637063objectionable parallelsno142
1697637064parallel fifthswhen two parts move in the same direction, staying in fifths143
1697637065parallel octaveswhen two parts move in the same direction, staying in octaves144
1697637066similar motionIn part-writing, similar motion is the situation in which two voices of the composition move in the same direction, either ascending or descending, but they do not necessarily cover the same interval.145
1697637067tendency tonenote that tends to move in one direction or another146
1697637068unresolved leading tonewhen the leading tone isn't resolved up to the tonic147
1697637069unresolved seventhwhen the seven in a chord isn't resolved down by step148
1697637070voice exchangethe repetition of a contrapuntal passage with the voices' parts exchanged. EX: Voice 1: a b voice 2: b a149
1697637071arpeggiobroken chord150
1697637072chormaticnot in the key a scale that moves by half steps151
1697637073common practice styleobeys two different kinds of musical norms: first, it uses conventionalized sequences of chords, such as I-IV-V-I. Second, it obeys specific contrapuntal norms, such as the avoidance of parallel fifths and octaves.152
1697637074consonancepleasing to the ear153
1697637075diatonicin the key154
1697637076dissonancenot pleasing to the ear155
1697637077figured bassarabic numerals that tell where the notes in the chord are placed156
1697637078flatted fifthflatted fifth note157
1697637079lead sheetsheet containing words and melody for a song written in simple form158
1697637080picardy thirdmajor third in tonic chord of minor key159
1697637081resolutiondo i really need to define this160
1697637082compound intervaldistance between two notes that exceeds an octave161
1697637083half stepwhen you move from one note directly to the next162
1697637084intervaldistance between two notes163
1697637085inversion of an intervalto turn an interval upside down164
1697637086perfect intervalunison, fourth, fifth165
1697637087major intervalsecond, third, sixth, seventh166
1697637088minor intervalsecond, third, sixth, seventh. Lowers them by one half step.167
1697637089diminished intervalsecond, third, sixth, and seventh are lowered another half step from minor. unison, fourth, fifth are lowered from their perfect form168
1697637090augmented intervalwhen any interval is raised from its original form169
1697637091Tritoneaugmented fourth, or diminished fifth170
1697637092unisonone note is played/sung171
1697637093whole steptwo half steps172
1697637094antiphonalresponsive173
1697637095articulationthe style in which an individual note is played174
1697637096arcowith the bow175
1697637097legatosmoothly176
1697637098marcattomarked177
1697637099pizzicatoplucking the strings178
1697637100slurto sing to a single syllable or play without a break (two or more tones of different pitch)179
1697637101staccatoshort, detached180
1697637102tenutohold181
1697637103call and responsewhat the name says?182
1697637104dynamicsmarks the volume of the song183
1697637105crescendogradually louder184
1697637106diminuendo/decrescendogradually softer185
1697637107terrace dynamicsvolume levels shift quickly186
1697637108pianissimopp very soft187
1697637109pianop soft188
1697637110mezzo pianomp medium soft189
1697637111mezzo fortemf medium loud190
1697637112fortef loud191
1697637113fortissimoff very loud192
1697637114phrasinga division of a composition, commonly a passage of four or eight measures, forming part of a period.193
1697637115tempothe speed of the piece194
1697637116adagioslow and stately195
1697637117allegrofast and bright196
1697637118andantewalking speed197
1697637119andantinoslightly faster than andante198
1697637120graveslow and solemn199
1697637121largovery slow200
1697637122lentovery very slow201
1697637123moderatomoderately202
1697637124prestovery fast203
1697637125vivacelively and fast204
1697637126accelerandogradually speed up205
1697637127ritardandogradually slower206
1697637128ritenutogradually decreasing tempo207
1697637129rubatoto be played with a flexible tempo208
1697637130accentstress209
1697637131agogic accentstress given to a note through prolonged duration.210
1697637132dynamic accentoccurs when performer emphasizes a tone by playing it more loudly than the tones around it211
1697637133metrical accentThe pattern of strong and weak beats based on the "weight" of the downbeat and the "lift" of the upbeat.212
1697637134anacrusispickup note or figure213
1697637135asymmetrical meterA compound meter with beat units of unequal duration. These irregular beat lengths are typically (though not always) created by five or seven beat divisions, grouped into beat lengths such as 2 + 3 or 2 + 3 + 2.214
1697637136bar linethe line that shows where one measure stops and one begins215
1697637137beatthe pulse in a song216
1697637138compound beata beat that subdivides into three parts217
1697637139simple beata beat that subdivides into two parts218
1697637140changing metera common trait in 20th-century music; time signature changes frequently and unpredictably; a rejection of standard metrical patterns in favor of non-symmetrical groupings (Bartok & Concerto for Orchestra)219
1697637141cross rhythm (polyrhythm)Two conflicting rhythms used at the same time. Also known as polyrhythm.220
1697637142dot on the side of a notetakes half the length of the note its beside221
1697637143dotted rhythmlong-short rhythmic pattern in which a dotted note is followed by a note that is much shorter222
1697637144dupletA group of two notes played in the time usually taken to play three223
1697637145hemiolaa shift in the rhythmic pulse from a division of 2 to a division of 3, or vice versa. i.e. 6-8 time meter into 3-4 time meter.224
1697637146irregular meterasymmetrical groupings with different numbers of beats per measure225
1697637147meterhow the pulse/beat is established226
1697637148duple meter2 beats per measure227
1697637149quadruple meterfour beats per measure228
1697637150triple meterthree beats a measure229
1697637151rhythmthe rate at which notes are played230
1697637152swing rhythmRhythm where notes with equal written time values are performed with unequal durations, usually as alternating long and short.231
1697637153syncopationthe accenting of musical beats not normally accented; notes that aren't played on the beat.232
1697637154tempothe rate at which music is played233
1697637155tiewhen a note in one measure is held into the next234
1697637156time signaturethe top number is the number of beats in the measure. the bottom number is the note that gets the beat.235
1697637157tripletthree notes played in the space of one or two.236
1697637158accidentalalters a note up or down a half step237
1697637159major scaleIn the key of C (up and down): C D E F G A B C B A G F E D C238
1697637160harmonic minor scaleIn the key of a (up and down): a b c d e f g# a g# f e d c b a239
1697637161Melodic minor scalein the key of a (up and down): a b c d e f# g# a g f e d c b a240
1697637162Ionian scaleA major scale241
1697637163Dorian scalenatural minor with a raised 6242
1697637164phrygian scalenatural minor with a flat 2243
1697637165lydian scalemajor scale with raised 4244
1697637166mixolydian scalemajor scale with flat 7245
1697637167aeolian scalenatural minor scale246
1697637168locrian scalenatural minor scale with a flat 2 and 5247
1697637169modalitythe state of being modal248
1697637170parallel keytwo keys that share the same tonic but NOT the same key249
1697637171pentatonicscale that has five notes to an octave (think Asian music)250
1697637172relative key2 scales that have the same key, but not the same tonic.251
1697637173tetrachordSeries of four notes having a pattern of whole step, whole step, half step252
1697637174tonality, tonalPrinciple of organization around a tonic, or home, pitch, based on a major or minor scale.253
1697637175whole tone scalemoving only by whole steps254
1697637176melismaticnotes sung to one syllable255
1697637177syllabicone note per syllable256
1697637178alberti bass1 5 3 5; broken base257
1697637179canona contrapuntal piece of music in which a melody in one part is imitated exactly in other parts, starting at different points.258
1697637180chordal accompanimentThe underlying harmonic support for a melody; chords may be blocked or broken.259
1697637181contrapuntal, counterpointvoices working against each other260
1697637182imitationa copy that is represented as the original261
1697637183imitative polyphonytechnique in which each phrase of a composition is addressed by all the voices, which enter successively in imitation of each other262
1697637184nonimitative polyphonytwo or more melodic lines playing distinct melodies263
1697637185countermelodyAccompanying melody sounding against the principle melody264
1697637186fugal imitationimitation of the subject which enters at a different pitch level; almost like a sequence265
1697637187heterophony, heterophonicone melodic line being improvised upon266
1697637188homophony, homophonicmelodic accompaniment267
1697637189chordal homphonysameness, regarding rhythm and melody268
1697637190chordal texture (homorhythmic)a type of homophonic texture, with pitches sounding simultaneously269
1697637191brassthe section of a band or orchestra that plays brass instruments270
1697637192continuoa bass part written out in full and accompanied by numbers to indicate the chords to be played271
1697637193percussionthe section of a band or orchestra that plays percussion instruments272
1697637194rhythm sectionthe section within a jazz band, usually consisting of drums, double bass, piano, banjo, and/or guitar, that establishes the harmony and rhythm273
1697637195stringsthe section of an orchestra that plays stringed instruments274
1697637196timbrethe distinguishing quality of a sound275
1697637197woodwindswind instruments that include the piccolo, flute, oboe, english horn, clarinet, bassoon, and saxophone276
1697637198monophony, monophonicone tone277
1697637199obbligatoa part of the score that must be performed without change or omission278
1697637200ostinatoa musical phrase repeated over and over during a composition279
1697637201polyphony, polyphonicmany voices/tones280
1697637202contrapuntalhaving two or more independent but harmonically related melodic parts sounding together281
1697637203tessituramost widely used range of pitches in a piece of music282
1697637204walking bassa bass line that moves at a moderate pace, mostly in equal note values, and often stepwise up or down the scale283
1697637205AriaA song from a larger work284
1697637206Art songa song that stands alone285
1697637207conctertosolo instrument and orchestra286
1697637208fuguea musical form consisting of a theme repeated a fifth above or a fourth below its first statement287
1697637209genrestyle, category of music288
1697637210operastaged vocal work289
1697637211preludea part of a song before the main section290
1697637212postludea part of the song after the main section291
1697637213sonataABA form292
1697637214string quartet2 violins, a viola, and a cello293
1697637215symphonya piece for an orchestra with many movements.294
1697637216modulationa change of key within a piece295
1697637217pizzicadoplucked string (tighten or loosen pegs to change pitch)296
1697637218Changing toneApproach by step, jump a third, resolve by step to the original note.297

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