Music For A While - Technical Terminology

Front

syllabic

Back

Where there is one note to each syllable.

Front

Melismatic

Back

Where several notes are sung to one syllable.

Front

Word painting

Back

When the music reflects the meaning of a word.

Front

Ground bass

Back

A repeated melodic pattern in the bassline, which acts as a structural device.

Front

Conjunct

Back

When the melody moves in steps of a tone or semitone.

Front

Disjunct

Back

A melodic movement in leaps.

Front

Ornamentation

Back

The decorations (or embellishment) of the melody, e.g., trills, turns, grace notes.

Front

Sequence

Back

A melodic or harmonic pattern that repeats but starting on a different note on each repetition.

Front

Imitation

Back

When a melody is heard in one part and then repeats in another part starting a few notes later while the other part continues playing. This creates a contrapuntal texture.

Front

Basso continuo

Back

The accompanying bassline and chordal outline in a Baroque piece played by a keyboard instrument (such as the harpsichord).