GCSE Music - Keywords
A list of GCSE Music Keywords split into the following 6 categories:
- Rhythm, Metre and Tempo.
- Tonality.
- Structure.
- Harmony.
- Melody.
- Dynamics.
Keywords
| Definition
| Category
|
|---|---|---|
Syncopation
| A rhythm created by putting accents in parts of the bar that are not normally emphasized.
| Rhythm, Metre and Tempo
|
Chromatic
| Music in which the notes that are used are not in the key of the piece.
| Tonality
|
Mixolydian Mode
| A scale that uses the following pattern of tones (T being tones and S being semitones): TTSTTST
| Structure
|
Trill
| Rapidly alternating between 2 notes.
| Rhythm, Metre and Tempo
|
Pizzicato
| A technique in which a stringed instrument is plucked creating a light staccato sound.
| Rhythm, Metre and Tempo
|
Pedal
| A single sustained note (usually in bass)
| Rhythm, Metre and Tempo
|
Imitation
| The repetition of a phrase or melody that often varies in key, rhythm, and voice.
| Melody
|
Triplet
| A group of three notes that have the same time value.
| Rhythm, Metre and Tempo
|
Largo
| A very slow tempo.
| Rhythm, Metre and Tempo
|
Allegro
| A quick/brisk tempo.
| Rhythm, Metre and Tempo
|
Rit/Ritenuto
| Music suddenly slowing or being held back momentarily.
| Dynamics
|
Crescendo
| A gradual increase of volume in a passage.
| Dynamics
|
Diminuendo
| A gradual decrease of volume in a passage.
| Dynamics
|
Staccato
| Short detached notes.
| Rhythm, Metre and Tempo
|
Cadence
| The conclusion of a phrase, section or piece of music.
| Rhythm, Metre and Tempo
|
Perfect Cadence
| A cadence in which the chord of the dominant comes immediately before the chord of the tonic.
| Rhythm, Metre and Tempo
|
Plagal Cadence
| A cadence in which the chord of the subdominant comes immediately before the chord of the tonic.
| Rhythm, Metre and Tempo
|
Dominant
| The fifth tone of a diatonic scale.
| Tonality
|
Subdominant
| The fourth tone of a diatonic scale
| Tonality
|
Tonic
| The first note of a diatonic scale
| Tonality
|
Monophonic
| A piece of music with a single melodic line.
| Texture
|
Homophonic
| Similar to Monophonic but is a piece of music with a single melodic line and an accompaniment.
| Texture
|
Polyphonic/Contrapuntal
| A piece that has two or more independent, but harmonic, melodic parts playing together.
| Texture
|
Ternary Form
| The structure of a piece of music that consists of 2 contrasting sections followed by a repetition of the first (ABA).
| Structure
|
Binary Form
| The structure of a piece of music consisting of two sections, each being played twice
| Structure
|
Atonal
| A piece of music with no key.
| Tonality
|
Virtuosic
| Music with a high degree of technical difficulty .
| Dynamics
|
Blue Note
| A scale in which the 7th note is flattened. Usually used in jazz or blues music.
| Tonality
|
Dissonance
| A combination of tones that sound harsh and create tension and and unresolved feeling.
| Tonality
|
Disjunct
| 2 notes in a piece of music in which the interval between is longer than a second.
| Melody
|
Modulation
| Where the key or tonality changes to another.
| Tonality
|
Mellisma
| Where several notes are sung in 1 syllable.
| Melody
|
Acciaccatura
| A note that is performed as quickly as possible before an essential note of a melody, it falls before the beat.
| Melody
|
