Musical Terms and Concepts

Fanfare

• A slow, soft, melodic piece for string instruments.

• A short, lively, loud, militaristic composition usually for brass instruments, often used to announce the arrival of an important person.

• A lengthy orchestral work typically performed in concert halls.

• A type of dance music characterized by its rhythmic complexity.

Tone

• An interval of 1 semitone (step)

• An interval of 2 semitones (steps)

• An interval of 3 semitones (steps)

• An interval of 4 semitones (steps)

Trill

• A rapid alternation between two adjacent notes.

• A slow, sustained note.

• A series of rapid notes played in succession.

• A musical term for a loud sound.

Motif

• A long and complex musical composition.

• A short musical idea or pattern that is characteristic of a composition.

• A type of musical instrument used in orchestras.

• A genre of music that focuses on rhythm and beats.

Major 7th

• An interval spanning eleven semitones.

• An interval spanning ten semitones.

• An interval spanning twelve semitones.

• An interval spanning nine semitones.

Answering phrase

• A musical phrase that responds to a preceding phrase.

• A type of musical scale used in compositions.

• A phrase that introduces a new theme in music.

• A rhythmic pattern that repeats throughout a piece.

Major 3rd

• An interval spanning three semitones.

• An interval spanning four semitones.

• An interval spanning five semitones.

• An interval spanning six semitones.

Melody

• A sequence of notes that are perceived as a single entity. The TUNE!

• A type of musical instrument used to create sound.

• A rhythm that accompanies a song.

• A style of singing without instrumental support.

Major 2nd

• An interval spanning two semitones.

• An interval spanning three semitones.

• An interval spanning one semitone.

• An interval spanning four semitones.

Octave

• An interval between one musical pitch and another of 12 semitones

• A musical scale consisting of eight notes

• A type of musical instrument

• A rhythm pattern in music