A214 - Musical definitions - P
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Musical
definitions - 'P'
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Definition: Passing notes occur when a melody moves by step from one chord note to another, through and intermediate note (the passing note) which is dissonant with the chord Strictly, 'passing note' should only be applied to decorative notes within a passage of conjunct (stepwise) melodic movement See also: Accented passing note Taken from: Unit 7, p.19 and Unit 17, p.22 Definition: A pedal point (often referred to simply as a pedal) is a long-held note, or sometimes a series of repeated notes, appearing usually in the bass part. Pedal points occur towards the end of a piece of substantial section of a piece, and contrapuntal writing or changing harmonies feature in the other parts. Pedal points are found most frequently on the tonic and dominant notes of the scale. Taken from: Unit 11, p.15 Definition: Definite pitch is produced by a vibrating source that causes regular changes of air pressure. The frequency of a particular pitch is measured in cycles per second or hertz (Hz). A low frequency is produced when there are slower regular changes of air pressure; a high frequency by more rapid regular changes. See also: Pitch - indefinite below Taken from: Unit 2, p.36 Definition: Indefinite pitch is produced by a vibrating source that causes random changes of air pressure See also: Pitch - definite above Taken from: Unit 2, p.36 Definition: ... the chord immediately before a modulation. They [traditional harmony textbooks] identify it as a 'pivot chord', urging you to make sure that you have a chord that belongs in both keys. See also: Modulation Taken from: Unit 13, p.78 Definition: Plainsong (or plainchant) refers to that vast body of pure, unaccompanied, sacred melodies as developed by the early Christian church. They are monodic. Taken from: Unit 4, p.8 Definition: Type of composition (found at its most imposing in the 16th Century) whereby several lines of melody are heard simultaneously. The total impressio is one of an interweaving of sinuous melodic strands. This is known as polyphony. From the Greek meaning 'many sounds' Taken from: Unit 4, p.6 Definition: ... the bracketed natural is simply a reminder not to play B Flat. Such accidentals, which are not strictly needed as they are covered by the key signature, are called precautionary accidentals. See also: Accidentals Taken from: Unit 12, p.51 Definition: ... Additionally, we may also refer to the same three chords [chord I, chord IV and chord V] as primary triads. There is an interesting analogy with primary colours here. As you know, the colours red, blue and yellow are basic to the colour spectrum, and any other colour of light can be created by mixing pigments having these primary colours. Primary triads are similarly basic to music, and many complex chords can be developed from these simple elements. But there are two particular musical reasons for calling them 'primary': a) they are the only major chords in major keys b) by using them, you can hamonize any tune in that key Taken from: Unit 7, p.7 |
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Definitions collated from those in the units of A214
Last updated: 21 May, 2004