6 8 music notes free#

Polyphony (noun polyphonic = adjective): two or more parts sung or played simultaneously. Homophony (noun homophonic = adjective): one melodic line with a harmonic accompaniment that supports Singing in octaves is considered a monophonic texture. Without harmony or any accompaniment, which can occur when one person or many people sing a Monophony (noun monophonic = adjective, as in monophonic texture): literally ?one sound? - one melodic line, Polytonality: the simultaneous use of two or more key areas. Modulation: moving from one key area to another keyĪtonality: music that is not tonal or not based on any system of keys or modesīitonality: the simultaneous use of two key areas. Modal: refers to music using diatonic scales with Greek names (Western) or non-Western scales Minor tonality: pitches are related to a central pitch called the tonic. Major tonality: pitches are related to a central pitch called the tonic. Diatonic intervals are foundĬhromatic: using pitches outside of a particular diatonic scale, or using a succession of half steps. Imitation: two or more parts that have the same or similar phrase beginning and with delays betweenĮntrances (as in a round or canon), but after the beginning of the phrase, the parts diverge into separateĭiatonic: a seven-note scale with a regular pattern of 5 whole and 2 half steps. Round: an exact canon, ending at different times, as in ?Row, row, row your boat.? The canonic parts may occur at the unison or some other interval. In order for the parts to end simultaneously, the canon may break down at the end of theĬomposition. Oblique motion: occurs when one voice remains on a single pitch while the other ascends or descendsĬanon: (meaning rule) one melody is strictly imitated by a second part after a delay in the entrance of the Parallel motion: two or more parts moving in the same direction and same intervals, as in parallel fifthsĬontrary motion: two or more parts moving in the opposite direction Triads: three notes that can be arranged into superimposed thirdsĮxtended chords: thirds added above the triad, usually as a 9th, 11th or 13thĬonsonance: a harmonic combination that is stable, usually in thirdsĭissonance: a harmonic combination that is unstable, often including seconds or sevenths Mensurations: used in music from 1300-1600, the ratios of rhythmic durationsĬhords: three or more pitches sounding simultaneously Simple meters: beats subdivided into two parts (2/4, 3/4, 4/4)Ĭompound meters: beats subdivided into three parts (6/8, 9/8, 12/8)Īsymmetrical meters: meters with an uneven number of subdivisions (7/4, 5/8)

6 8 music notes free#

Non-metric, unmetrical: free rhythm, no discernable time Meter: groups of beats in a recurring pattern with accentuation on strong beats

Measures or bars: a metrical unit separated by lines in musical notation Phrase: a musical unit with a terminal point, or cadence. Motive: a short pattern of 3-5 notes (melodic, rhythmic, harmonic or any combination of these) that is repetitive Range: the distance between the lowest and highest pitches, usually referred to as narrow Click on Music Reference, then Oxford Music Online.Ĭontour: the shape of the melody as rising or fallingĬonjunct: stepwise melodic motion, moving mostly by step in intervals of a 2ndĭisjunct: melodic motion in intervals larger than a 2nd, often with a large number of wide skips Explanations and musical examples can be found through the Oxford Music Online, accessed through the Potsdam Library page at.