Music Terminology Flashcards

Front

Ritardando

Back

Gradually decreasing tempo.

Front

Melody

Back

A series of pitches, one after the other, including tune, contour, intervals, phrases, repetition, and imitation.

Front

Twelve Bar Blues

Back

A chord pattern used as the basis of the melody in blues music.

Front

Imitation

Back

A part of the melody or an entire melody is copied exactly by another instrument, possibly at the same, higher, or lower pitch.

Front

Repetition

Back

The main melody is repeated more than once in a composition to create a memorable impact.

Front

Melodic Sequence

Back

A melodic phrase repeated at a higher or lower pitch

Front

Rate of Harmonic Progression

Back

Chord progression - slow, moderate or fast

Front

Ornamentation

Back

Frilly bits added to a melody to make it sound more interesting, such as trills

Front

Turn

Back

A melodic figure that rises and falls by step around the main pitch.

Front

Jazz Music

Back

Known for its improvisational style.