Definition: A melody, unlike a theme, is usually complete, either self-standing or forming part of a piece. It is, as its name suggests, more melodious in nature, and therefore suitable for singing, humming or whistling.
Tune is a less formal way of referring to a melody. The line dividing melodies from themes is not clear-cut, and moreover the terms are often used synonymously.
Taken from: Unit 16, p.70
Definition: Metre is the grouping of beats by means of regular stress patterns
Taken from: Unit 1, p.9
Definition: Metres which divide the beat into threes are called compound.
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Taken from: Unit 2, p.29
Definition: Metres which divide the beat into twos are called simple.
Further info: 3/4 is a simple metre as the beats are in crotchets
Taken from: Unit 2, p.29
Definition:The process of changing key is called modulation.
'process of transition' (Unit 13, p.70)
'... to define the presence of modulation, it is usually necessary to find a) the end of a phrase and b) a perfect cadence occurring there' (Unit 13, p.75)
See also: Page on Identifying Modulations and the definition Modulation - passing below
Taken from: Unit 13, p.60
Definition: ... call them passing modulations i.e. modulations that do not occur at cadence points (you might like to think of the music as 'just visiting' certain keys in contrast to landing on them and forming a cadence before moving on).
See also: Page on Identifying Modulations and the definition Modulation above
Taken from: Unit 13, p.73
Definition: Where there is just a single line of unaccompanied melody, it is called a monody
Taken from: Unit 2, p.43
Definition: As its sign suggests, the mordent is an abbreviated trill: it has a brief alternation between the main note and upper note before settling onto the main note
Up to and including the 18th Century, the mordent sign was actually used by many composers to indicate the trill itself
See also: Mordent - inverted below
Taken from: Unit 17, p.28
Definition: This ornament [the mordent] is also found in a variant form (sometimes called the 'inverted mordent'), which alternates the main note with the note below. The 'inversion' is shown by a vertical stroke through the sign...
See also: Mordent above
Taken from: Unit 17, p.28
Definition: A motif is a brief though recognizable group of notes, which is too short-lived and incomplete to be a theme, and is frequently used as a building-brick with which to construct a piece
... a motive or motif, a short musical idea that has a distinctive rhythmic and melodic shape, and that can be used to build up a substantial section of music - or even a whole movement or complete piece. Composers differ in how strictly they deploy their motifs.
Examples: Beethoven's 5th Symphony - relentlessly repeats the rythmic pattern or the motif below...
Taken from: Unit 4, p.24 and Unit 16, p.67
Definition: A more extended musical idea is often called a motto: this usually appears at the opening of a composition and then reappears at decisive moments as the work unfolds.
Examples: Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony (1878): there is a fanfar repeated at important points during the first movement and once again in the finale.
Taken from: Unit 16, p.69