Definition: The key signature preserves the major scale pattern, whatever the starting note of the scale. This automatically gives the set of pitches available to a composer working in that scale. Music which uses only those pitches is called diatonic (as opposed to chromatic), and the major scale itself, strictly speaking, is called the diatonic major scale.
Taken from: Unit 6, p.74
Definition: '... the G clashes with A - especially if the two notes are played simultaneously. The resulting sound is a discord, or dissonance.
Taken from: Unit 19, p.66
Definition: Dissonances are often prepared; that is to say, the added, or dissonant, note of the chord will in many cases be sounded in the previous chord at the same pitch (in strict part-writing, in the same part). In order for a dissonance to be prepared, it does not necessarily have to be tied over from the previous chord: it simply has to be sounded in that chord (in the same register).
Taken from: Unit 6, p.74
Definition: Takes a dominant chord and adds the note which is a seventh above the root, and is therefore called the dominant seventh.
Further info: Can be written as V7 (with the 7 in superscript)
Taken from: Unit 7, p.18
Definition: When a dot is placed immediately after the head of a note it increases the value of that note by exactly half. Rests can be dotted but minim and semibreve rests cannot.
Taken from: Unit 1, p.18
Definition: Double stopping, where a bow is drawn simultaneously across either two adjacent stopped strings or across an open and adjacent stopped string. You look for this in string writing by identifying two notes played simultaneously; if the notes have separate stems and beams then the part-writing is likely to be contrapuntal...
Taken from: Unit 14, p.17
Definition: The re-use of the same note name at different pitch-levels (i.e. at different octaves) is called doubling
Taken from: Unit 5, p.43
Definition: As a group of performance markings / direction these are referred to as dynamics. They are concerned with the relative loudness or softness of the performance.
Taken from: Unit 9, p.10