Melody keywords

Click on the word to link to a definition and musical example.


Melody
intervals within the octave
conjunct
disjunct
triadic
broken chords (ex) The piano lower part is playing broken chords
scalic
arpeggio
passing notes
acciaccaturas
appoggiaturas
blue notes
diatonic
chromatic
pentatonic
whole tone
modal
augmentation
diminution
sequence (ex) Here the main tune is repeated several times at the beginning beginning on different pitches, hence in sequence.
inversion
slide/glissando/portamento
ornamentation
ostinato      riff
phrasing articulation pitch bend improvisation (ex) Here the trumpet improvises later in the piece.

Effects

Effects are often found in popular music, on the guitar. You need to be able to recognise the sound of each.
                         Chorus                                                                            Reverb

 

        Distortion

Instruments of the Orchestra

A short video to show the instruments that are used in an orchestra, and which section they are in.

Percussion Instruments

Please watch this video to gain an idea about percussion instruments in the orchestra

African Music

Listen to this podcast on African Music. The keywords have mainly been covered, but an understanding of this type of music is essential.

Indian Music

Listen to this podcast on Indian Music. It links into the keywords that you have already covered and an understanding of this type of music will help in the listening exam.

Time Signatures

Here is the podcast for Time Signatures. Compound Time and Simple Time

Dynamics podcast

Dynamics are explained here.

Rhythm and metre podcast

Rhythm and metre explained.....

Structure and Form podcast: through-composed, binary, ternary, strophic

Structure and Form podcast: through-composed, binary, ternary, strophic