Music Terminology: Baroque and Romantic Periods

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Basso Continuo

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A continuous bass part typically played by a keyboard and a bass instrument.

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Figured Bass

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Musical notation using numbers to indicate chords, intervals, and other aspects in relation to the bass note.

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Terraced Dynamics

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Sudden changes in dynamics, as opposed to gradual crescendos and decrescendos.

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Ornamentation

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Decorative notes such as trills, mordents, and appoggiaturas added to melodies.

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Counterpoint

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The art of combining different melodic lines in a musical composition.

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Concerto Grosso

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A form of Baroque music featuring a small group of solo instruments contrasted with a full orchestra.

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Suite

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A set of instrumental compositions, often in dance forms.

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Fugue

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A polyphonic composition based on a main theme (subject) and its imitative counterpoints.

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Rubato

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Expressive and flexible use of tempo.

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Leitmotif

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A recurring musical theme associated with a particular idea, character, or place.