240 Music > Composition Arrangements > Flashcards

Composition Arrangements Flashcards

(118 cards)

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1
Q

Charles Mingus

A

Charles Mingus – A 1960s jazz composer who pushed jazz beyond bebop, mixing creativity, emotion, and big-band energy.

Memory tip: Think “Mingus = Massive” — he made jazz bigger and bolder in the 1960s.

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2
Q

Swan Lake

A

Swan Lake – A famous ballet by Tchaikovsky where one ballerina plays both the good swan (Odette) and the evil swan (Odile).

Memory tip: Think “One swan, two sides” — the same dancer must be graceful and pure and dark and deceptive.

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3
Q

Phillip Glass

A

Short definition: Philip Glass – A minimalist composer who broke from traditional Western classical music with repeating, simple patterns.

Memory tip: Think “Glass = clear and simple” — his music is like clear glass: repetitive, transparent, and minimal.

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4
Q

Harmony

A

Chords that support the melody.
Memory tip: Think “harmony = helping” — the chords help the melody shine.

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5
Q

Aria

A

A solo song in an opera or similar work.
Memory tip: Aria = “A voice shines alone.”

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6
Q

SATB

A

a choir with sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses

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7
Q

Appropriate Grade Literature

A

Music suitable for a student’s skill level.
Memory tip: “Grade = level” — music that matches the students’ abilities.

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8
Q

Franz Schubert

A

Austrian composer famous for songs (lieder).
Memory tip: Schubert = “Song master” — think of singing lieder.

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9
Q

Twelve Tone Serialism

A

Uses all 12 notes equally in a set order.
Memory tip: “12-tone = all notes count” — no note is more important than another.

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10
Q

Heterophonic Texture

A

Multiple versions of the same melody played at once.
Memory tip: “Hetero = different” — same tune, different twists.

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11
Q

Theme and Variation

A

A melody is repeated with changes.
Memory tip: “Theme changes” — same tune, new twists each time.

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12
Q

Inappropriate Articulations

A

Notes played in the wrong style or that cause balance problems.
Memory tip: “Wrong style = wrong sound” — it doesn’t fit the music.

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13
Q

Naqoyqatsi

A

A film about “life as war,” music by Philip Glass.
Memory tip: “Naqoyqatsi = Glass + war life” — think intense, abstract visuals with his music.

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14
Q

Lowered/Flatted Fifth Scale Tone

A

A note lowered a half step in jazz.
Memory tip: “Flat 5 = bluesy tension” — sounds edgy or unresolved.

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15
Q

Charles Ives

A

Charles Ives – American composer who used multiple meters at once.
Memory tip: “Ives = layers” — different rhythms happening together.

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16
Q

Claudio Monteverdi

A

Claudio Monteverdi – Italian composer who bridged Renaissance and Baroque music.
Memory tip: “Monteverdi = Music Bridge” — connects old style to new.

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17
Q

Harmonic Texture

A

How many voices play together and interact.
Memory tip: “Texture = threads” — voices weave together like fabric.

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18
Q

Serialism

A

All 12 notes used once in a set order.
Memory tip: “Serial = in a series” — notes follow a strict sequence.

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19
Q

Lieder

A

German art songs with expressive text.
Memory tip: “Lieder = lyrics” — songs that tell a story with words.

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20
Q

Fugue

A

A piece where a main theme is repeated and imitated by other voices.
Memory tip: “Fugue = follow the theme” — voices chase the main melody.

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21
Q

Recitative

A

Sung speech that tells a story.
Memory tip: “Recitative = talking song” — sounds like speech with music.

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22
Q

Einstein on the Beach

A

Minimalist opera by Glass with no story.
Memory tip: “Einstein = abstract music” — think patterns, not plot.

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23
Q

Ordo Virtutum

A

Oldest morality play by Hildegard of Bingen.
Memory tip: “Virtutum = virtues” — a musical play teaching right from wrong.

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24
Q

The Nutcracker

A

amous Tchaikovsky ballet often performed at Christmas.
Memory tip: “Nutcracker = holiday ballet” — think sugarplum and Christmas magic.

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25
Chorale
Hymn sung in four-part harmony. Memory tip: “Chorale = choir harmony” — voices together like a choir.
26
The Ring Cycle
Four epic operas by Wagner. Memory tip: “Ring = 4-part saga” — think of a giant musical story in four pieces.
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Aaron Copland
American composer who painted landscapes in music. Memory tip: “Copland = wide open spaces” — music feels like America’s outdoors.
28
Rigoletto
Famous Verdi opera with arias like “La donna è mobile.” Memory tip: “Rigoletto = catchy arias” — think memorable singing moments.
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Suspension
Hold a note while chords change to create tension. Memory tip: “Suspension = hang on” — note waits, then resolves.
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Inappropriate Dynamics
Volume changes that don’t fit or cause balance problems. Memory tip: “Wrong loudness = messy sound” — dynamics should make sense together.
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Antonio Vivaldi
Italian Baroque composer known for The Four Seasons
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Ave Maria
Famous song (lied) by Schubert. Memory tip: “Ave Maria = Schubert’s prayer song” — think beautiful, sung devotion.
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Aida
Famous Verdi opera with arias like “O patria mia.” Memory tip: “Aida = grand opera” — think epic music and dramatic singing.
34
Piotr Tchaikovsky
Russian Romantic composer of ballets and orchestral music. Memory tip: “Tchaikovsky = ballet & drama” — think Nutcracker and sweeping melodies.
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Monophonic Texture
features a single melodic line
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Tone Row
All 12 notes arranged in a set order. Memory tip: “Tone Row = note lineup” — every note has its place.
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Jazz Big Band
Large jazz group with brass, saxes, and rhythm. Memory tip: “Big Band = lots of horns” — think full, powerful jazz sound.
38
Ballet
Story told through dance and music. Memory tip: “Ballet = dance story” — movement + music = plot.
39
Three-Handed Technique
Piano method where bass, melody, and harmony sound together. Memory tip: “Three hands = three layers” — one pianist sounds like three parts.
40
Claude Debussy
French Impressionist composer of pieces like La Mer. Memory tip: “Debussy = musical painting” — think soft, colorful, flowing sounds.
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Chromaticism
Using notes outside the key. Memory tip: “Chromatic = color outside the lines” — adds extra flavor to music.
42
Ludwig van Beethoven
German composer who bridged Classical and Romantic music. Memory tip: “Beethoven = bold change” — moved music into the Romantic era.
43
I've Got Rhythm
Jazz standard by Gershwin. Memory tip: “Rhythm = Gershwin groove” — catchy, swingy, and widely played.
44
L'Orfeo
Monteverdi’s opera, one of the first full operas. Memory tip: “L’Orfeo = opera pioneer” — marks the start of opera as we know it.
45
Swing Rhythm
Eighth notes played unevenly, like a triplet feel. Memory tip: “Swing = lilt it” — long-short pattern instead of straight.
46
Brass
Instruments like trumpet, horn, trombone, tuba. Memory tip: “Brass = bold sound” — loud, bright, powerful instruments.
47
Hildegard of Bingen
Medieval German composer of sacred single-line music. Memory tip: “Hildegard = holy melody” — think spiritual chants.
48
Percussion
Instruments you strike or shake, like drums and xylophones. Memory tip: “Percussion = pounding & shaking” — makes rhythm and color.
49
Guiseppe Verdi
Italian composer famous for operas. Memory tip: “Verdi = opera master” — think grand, dramatic singing.
50
Diminution
Making notes shorter in a phrase. Memory tip: “Diminution = tiny notes” — faster, smaller rhythms.
51
George Gershwin
Composer who blended jazz and show tunes. Memory tip: “Gershwin = jazzy Broadway” — think catchy, lively tunes.
52
Ostinato
A musical pattern repeated over and over. Memory tip: “Ostinato = stuck loop” — can’t escape the repeating pattern.
53
La Traviata
Famous Verdi opera with arias like “Sempre Libera.” Memory tip: “Traviata = dramatic love” — think passionate, emotional singing.
54
The Magic Flute
Famous Mozart opera with arias like “Der Hölle Rache.” Memory tip: “Magic Flute = Mozart’s fairy tale” — think enchanting and dramatic music.
55
Messe de Nostre Dame
First known 4-voice mass by Machaut. Memory tip: “Nostre Dame = four voices” — early polyphony in a mass.
56
Bebop
Fast, complex 1950s jazz with lots of improvisation. Memory tip: “Bebop = quick & tricky” — think speedy solos and twists.
57
Arnold Schoenberg
Composer who created twelve-tone serialism. Memory tip: “Schoenberg = 12-note rules” — all notes treated equally in order.
58
Franz Liszt
Hungarian composer and virtuoso pianist. Memory tip: “Liszt = piano wizard” — flashy, skillful playing.
59
Guillaume de Machaut
Medieval French composer of sacred and secular music. Memory tip: “Machaut = medieval mix” — church and court music.
60
Igor Stravinsky
Russian composer who innovated modern orchestral music. Memory tip: “Stravinsky = bold rhythms” — think The Rite of Spring and surprises.
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Troubadour
Medieval French songs with poetic lyrics. Memory tip: “Troubadour = singing poet” — music tells a story in rhyme.
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Incorrect Transpositions
Notes shifted to the wrong key. Memory tip: “Wrong key = wrong sound” — doesn’t match the original music.
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Motivic Development
A short musical idea is changed and reused throughout a piece. Memory tip: “Motive grows” — same idea, new twists each time.
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Stagger Breathing
Musicians take breaths at different times so the sound stays continuous. Memory tip: “Stagger = take turns” — someone always keeps the music going.
65
Transposing Instruments
Short definition: Instruments that sound a different pitch than written. Memory tip: “Transpose = shift pitch” — note looks one way, sounds another.
66
D.C. al Fine
Go back to the start and play until “Fine.” Memory tip: “D.C. = Da Capo = back to head” — repeat from the top to the finish mark.
67
Joseph Haydn
Classical composer, part of the First Viennese School. Memory tip: “Haydn = Father of the Symphony” — think classical balance and form.
68
Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue
Duke Ellington jazz piece famous for Gonsalves’ long solo. Memory tip: “Blue = huge sax excitement” — think wild, energetic dancing.
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D.S. al Coda
Go to the sign (𝄋) and play until the coda. Memory tip: “D.S. = Dal Segno = jump to the sign” — skip and finish at the special ending.
70
D.S. al Fine
Go to the sign (𝄋) and play until “Fine.” Memory tip: “D.S. = Dal Segno = jump to the sign” — repeat from the mark to the finish.
71
Polyphonic Texture
Multiple melodies happening at the same time. Memory tip: “Poly = many” — each melody is important, weaving together.
72
Secondary Dominant Chords
A chord that temporarily makes another chord sound like “home.” Memory tip: “Secondary = extra key boss” — not the main tonic, but acts like one for a moment.
73
Erlkonig
Schubert song with four characters in one singer. Memory tip: “Erlkönig = four voices” — one singer, many roles.
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Disparities Between Melody and Harmony
Melody notes clash with the chord. Memory tip: “Mismatch = tension” — the tune doesn’t fit the harmony.
75
Henry Purcell
English Baroque composer of Dido and Aeneas. Memory tip: “Purcell = Baroque opera” — think early dramatic English music.
76
Duke Ellington
Jazz composer who made jazz a serious art form. Memory tip: “Ellington = jazz royalty” — big band sophistication and style.
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Moanin
Mingus jazz piece that changed big band style. Memory tip: “Moanin’ = Mingus groove” — bluesy, bold, and influential.
78
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady
Mingus jazz album with one continuous, genre-bending piece. Memory tip: “Black Saint = bold jazz journey” — think adventurous, boundary-pushing music.
79
Claude Debussy
French composer of dreamy, flowing music. Memory tip: “Debussy = musical painting” — soft, colorful, impressionistic sounds.
80
Jazz Small Group Ensembles
3–7 musicians playing a specific jazz style. Memory tip: “Small group = tight jazz” — more improvisation and interaction than big bands.
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SSA
Choir with two soprano parts and one alto part. Memory tip: “SSA = high voices” — mostly women or children singing.
82
Crossed Voicings
One part plays in another part’s range. Memory tip: “Cross = overlap” — instruments swap usual pitch areas.
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The Rite of Spring
Stravinsky ballet with strong rhythms and dissonance. Memory tip: “Rite = shocking music” — wild, intense, and groundbreaking.
84
Lead Sheet
Music showing melody, chords, lyrics, and form only. Memory tip: “Lead Sheet = skeleton” — just the essential parts to play or improvise.
85
Sonata
Multi-movement work with contrasting sections. Memory tip: “Sonata = story in music” — themes are introduced, developed, and resolved.
86
Caravan
Famous jazz piece by Duke Ellington. Memory tip: “Caravan = exotic jazz ride” — think bold, rhythmic, and solo-friendly.
87
Coda
Coda – Ending section of a piece. Memory tip: “Coda = musical tail” — wraps up the music.
88
Johannes Brahms
German Romantic composer following Beethoven. Memory tip: “Brahms = Romantic bridge” — classical structure with Romantic emotion.
89
D.C. al Segno
Go back to the start and play until the sign (𝄋). Memory tip: “Da Capo = back to top” — stop when you reach the sign.
90
Duke Ellington
Jazz composer who made jazz a serious art form. Memory tip: “Ellington = jazz royalty” — sophisticated, big-band innovation.
91
Musicianship
Skill and expressiveness in music performance. Memory tip: “Musicianship = music smarts” — how well and thoughtfully you play.
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Homophonic Texture
One main melody with supporting harmony. Memory tip: “Homo = same focus” — melody stands out, others accompany.
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Seating Arrangment
the specific arrangement in which players are seated in an ensemble
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Polyphonic Texture
Multiple important melodies at once. Memory tip: “Poly = many” — all voices matter equally.
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Fanfare For The Common Man
Copland piece honoring ordinary Americans. Memory tip: “Fanfare = bold salute” — strong, heroic brass music.
96
Reharmonization
Changing the chords under a melody. Memory tip: “Reharmonize = new harmony” — same tune, fresh chords.
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Aida
Famous Verdi opera with arias like “O patria mia.” Memory tip: “Aida = epic love & drama” — grand, emotional music.
98
Woodwinds
Instruments like flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, and sax. Memory tip: “Woodwinds = blowing wood” — air through wood or metal pipes.
99
Strings
Instruments with strings like violin, viola, cello, and bass. Memory tip: “Strings = bowed or plucked” — main melodic and harmonic family.
100
Johann Sebastian Bach
German Baroque composer of many genres (no opera). Memory tip: “Bach = Baroque master” — think fugues, cantatas, and intricate counterpoint.
101
Gretchen am Spinnrade
Schubert song for soprano based on Faust. Memory tip: “Spinning song” — music mimics the spinning wheel while telling the story.
102
Stagger Breathing
Singers take turns breathing to keep sound continuous. Memory tip: “Stagger = take turns” — someone always keeps the music going.
103
Giovanni Pierluigi de Palestrina
Italian Renaissance composer of sacred polyphony. Memory tip: “Palestrina = perfect counterpoint” — smooth, flowing sacred music.
104
Rhapsody in Blue
Gershwin orchestral piece with jazz influences. Memory tip: “Rhapsody = jazzy flair” — think lively, colorful, and American.
105
Appalachian Spring
Copland ballet celebrating American life. Memory tip: “Appalachian = American spirit” — bright, open, folk-inspired music.
106
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Austrian Classical composer of almost every genre. Memory tip: “Mozart = genius of variety” — symphonies, operas, chamber music, all mastered.
107
Inappropriate Phrase Markings
Slurs or markings that don’t make sense or disrupt balance. Memory tip: “Wrong phrasing = messy music” — markings should guide, not confuse.
108
Mass in B Minor
Bach masterpiece showcasing many styles and techniques. Memory tip: “B Minor = Bach’s ultimate mass” — think grandeur and musical mastery.
109
Hildegard of Bingen
Medieval German composer of sacred chants. Memory tip: “Hildegard = holy melodies” — spiritual single-line music.
110
Richard Wagner
German Romantic opera composer, famous for leitmotifs. Memory tip: “Wagner = musical story” — motifs represent characters or ideas.
111
Singspiel
Singing that sounds like spoken dialogue. Memory tip: “Sing + spiel = talk-song” — part singing, part speaking.
112
Recitative
Recitative – Sung speech that tells a story. Memory tip: “Recitative = talking song” — sounds like speech with music.
113
Musical Form
the structure of a composition
114
Henry Purcell
English Baroque composer of Dido and Aeneas. Memory tip: “Purcell = early Baroque opera” — think dramatic, melodic English music.
115
Question and Answer
One musician plays a phrase, another responds. Memory tip: “Call and response” — like a musical conversation.
116
Incorrect Clefs
Using the wrong clef for an instrument. Memory tip: “Wrong clef = wrong notes” — doesn’t match the instrument’s range.
117
Inappropriate Dynamics
Volume markings that don’t fit or cause balance problems. Memory tip: “Wrong loudness = messy sound” — dynamics should make sense together.
118
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